Category — Music

Kanye West visually remixed by Derrick Lee, video editor. Watch the stronger “Akira” version of “Stronger“!

Via NotCot

Technorati Tags: Akira, Derrick Lee, Kanye West

I previously posted about Beijing’s Dragon Tongue Squad hip-hop crew who came to London for a two day performance at The Royal Opera House.

The DTS came a week early to spend the time collaborating with the British Chinese scratch artist DJ Phat and guitarist Suki Mok. I went to the opening reception and wrote a little review on my personal blog which I thought I’d place a link to here.

Beijing rap meets British Chinese guitar and scratch artistry

Technorati Tags: China, DJ Phat, Dragon Tongue Squad, music, Royal Opera House, Suki Mok, United Kingdom

A teenager from Basingstoke has become an overnight pop sensation in the Far East after posting a video of herself singing online.

Rebecca Strachan, 19, from Aster Road, Kempshott, Basingstoke, was catapulted to attention when she uploaded a video of her and a friend singing in Korean on the popular video-sharing website YouTube:

Since it went live in November, the video has received more than 130,000 hits and led to record executives offering the pair the chance to go to the South Korean capital Seoul for a series of gigs.

She said: “I can’t believe the amount of interest we’ve received in Korea and the whole thing seems like a dream. When I posted the video, I was totally unprepared for all the attention.”

Rebecca discovered Asian music in 2003 after searching for the soundtrack to her favourite computer game Final Fantasy.

More on the Basingstoke Gazette

Via Neatorama

Technorati Tags: Korean, music, Rebecca Strachan

Eric Lau is a London-based producer who has been busy making musical waves for others.

He may well be a producer you’ve heard, but not heard of, by way of his productions for the likes of Lupe Fiasco, Dudley Perkins, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Guilty Simpson, Wildchild, Tanya Morgan, Hil St Soul, and a family of up n’coming artists who are featured on New Territories, his debut solo album.

What others are saying about his music:

“…it’s not US super producers Sa-Ra at the controls. Nor is Detroit bumpmaster Waajeed (of Platinum Pied Pipers fame) anywhere to be found. The man behind the superlative swing here is none other than Eric Lau – one of London’s best kept secrets.”
- One Week To Live

“Better than goosed down feathers to keep a brotha warm…demanded my attention and will comfort my dancefloor, seat and ears.”
- Bobbito Garcia

“New Territories represents the arrival of a talented artist and perceptive one-man production house.”
- Straight No Chaser

New Territories is set to be released on March 18th, 2008. For preview mp3’s check out the Ubiquity Records website.

Eric Lau on Ubiquity Records

Eric Lau on Visible Chinese

Technorati Tags: Eric Lau, London, music, New Territories, producer, United Kingdom

Any fans of Heavy Metal / Hard Rockers, Deep Purple and Japanese music might be interested in this rendition of Smoke on the Water…

Thanks Stefan!

Speaking of covers - I also came across this Indian version of Guns ‘N Roses - Sweet Child O’ Mine, awhile ago, which is pretty cool.

Technorati Tags: Deep Purple, Guns ‘N Roses, Japanese, music, Smoke on the Water, Sweet Child O’ Mine

Time.com has a recommendation of the five Asian acts to watch in 2008.

Sounds like an interesting range of non-clichéd styles from the low key digital composer, The Analogue Girl, to the diverse fusion of genres (rock, deep funk, soul, R&B, jazz and latin) offered by The Out of Body Special.

Find out the 5 Asian Acts to Watch in 2008

Thanks Lilian!

Technorati Tags: East Asian Music, music, The Analogue Girl, The Out of Body Special

Friends of mine - British Chinese “double violin assault specialists” CHi2 recently premiered their new show MONKEY KING - A Modern Beijing Opera, in North London, UK.

Celebrating the richness and colour of Beijing Opera and re-interpreted for the modern day, CHi2 created a visually and musically exciting show, blending digital media and music.

I photo-documented the event which I have to say, was very good! I’m not a regular live music go-er, but they combined lots of visuals and lighting effects with a variety of musical textures, that told the story of Monkey - who in this case, was depicted by actor Tom Wu.

Stunning if you can catch it! This show was a one-off, but CHi2 are now planning a tour - watch this space!

Check out my photo gallery of Monkey : A Modern Beijing Opera

CHi2’s website

Technorati Tags: A Modern Beijing Opera, Beijing Opera, British Chinese, CHI2, double violin assault specialists, MONKEY KING, Tom Wu

If you like classical music and you’re free this Saturday in London, classical guitarist Xue Fei Yang, from Beijing, plays a free, informal concert at the Southbank Centre.

“The first ever classical guitarist from China to study in the West, Xue Fei is one of the most exciting international talents of today. She has given concerts at many of the major concert venues across the world, coming to prominence in 2003 with a 54 date Night of the Proms tour across Europe, to an estimated audience of 800,000. This year, her CD Romance de Amor (EMI Classics) was released to rave reviews: ‘Her technique is flawless, but as well as being an impeccable technician, she also displays great feeling for the music…A superb album’ (Classic FM Magazine).

“In this informal concert, Xue Fei Yang performs music by Albeniz, Barrios and Lauro.”

Xue Fei Yang also performed at The Pearl Awards in November last year.

Xue Fei Yang, in The Clore Ballroom, Southbank Centre
Saturday 12 January 2008, 4pm

More info

Technorati Tags: Beijing, Chinese, classical music, music, Southbank Centre, Xue Fei Yang