Latest Reviews
August 3
Artist: Gi
Title: Sunrise
Genre: R&B
Rating: *****
"Sunrise" the debut solo album from Gi, formerly of Premiere and Honey Luv, takes various music styles and blends them into an ear pleasuring experience. Starting off with a mellow introduction, "Just Like Music," with some Spanish guitar and leading into the more uptempo song "Ride With Me," which continues more of the Spanish guitar, it becomes obvious that this album isn't going to be a hodge podge of songs strung together without thought. In fact, it's a very thoughtfully arranged album and I can't help but wonder if the title "Sunrise" had more than just one meaning because I think the way the album is arranged, it would make a perfect CD to slowly awaken to on a weekend while watching the sun rise with your loved one. If you have been a fan of Premiere and Honey Luv, you'll also not be disappointed because there are some influences in there with "The Look of Love" to keep you satisfied. Overall, the R&B vibe mixed with Spanish and African influences makes this one of my favorite CDs of 2006.
Favorite Tracks: "Ride With Me," "The Look of Love," "Skin Deep"
Nels
Artist: Asian Crisis
Title: Asian Crisis
Genre: Jazz
Rating: ****
Asian Crisis is a jazz band that formed to dedicate its music to "all those who have given their lives, energy, and resources in the struggle for social injustice." It's definitely a socially conscious jazz album fronted by classically trained pianst Art Hirahara. Formed in 1998 and releasing it's only album in 2004, Asian Crisis takes jazz to interesting directions by fusing Asian drums and rhythms with more traditional jazz instruments like sax, piano, and bass. Ultimately, it's music that beckons to be listened to with an open mind. "Spiritual" sets the opening tone with strong rhythms. "Go Back To Your Country" is a piece that is aggressive with vocal samples from various people who have been told to "go back to your country." Goes into a feeling of sadness with the "Lament for Joseph Ileto and Vincent Chin." It ends with a "Message from Yuri."
Favorite Tracks: "Shimauta," "Spiritual," "Lament for Joseph Ileto and Vincent Chin"
Nels
Title: Lumpia Palooza 2 DVD
Rating: ****
Lumpia Palooza, the brain-child of Patricio Ginelsa, an aspiring filmmaker, takes music concerts to a differnt audience - the Filipino community. Focusing on Filipino American artists, the concert series has enjoyed success both in live format and in life after the concert on DVD. Lumpia Palooza 2 takes place in the SF Bay Area and features the likes of Camille Velasco, former American Idol finalist, and Kim Del Fierro, former Asian Spokesmodel. The DVD intersperses live concert footage with music videos and even does its own version of "Reuniting the Band" in Filipino fashion called "Fil-Am Bands Reunited." In the first Lumpia Palooza, Ginelsa attempted to reunite Buffy and the Kandee Girls for a one night performance but alas, was unable to do so. For Lumpia Palooza 2, Ginelsa attempts to reunite male vocal group One Vision and he succeeds! Overall, the DVD gives the viewer the chance to see all of the young talent out there over and over again.
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Previous Reviews
April 2006 (Music: Kim Del Fierro, Eugene Song; Movies: Take the Lead)
May 2005 (Music: the PACIFICS; Books: What Wendell Wants; Movies: King Fu Hustle, Seoul Raiders, Leave Me Alone; Comedy: Take Out Comedy 2005)
April 2005 (Music: Jargon, Kite Operations, Twilight Sentinels, Jack Tung; Books: What Wendell Wants; DVD: Jin: The Making of a Rap Star)
February 2005 (Music: Jordan Segundo, Bento, Ravish Momin's Trio Tarana, Cynthia Lin; Books: Born to Lose)
January 2005 (Music: Anna Maria Flechero, Kristine Sa, Honore, The Francis Kim Band; DVD: Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle; Movies: House of Flying Daggers, Yesterday Once More; Books: I Do. I Did. Now What?)
December 2004 (Music: Project J, Justice, Lawrence Chang, Erica O'Young)
October 2004 (Music: Slowjam Sessions Volume 1; Movies: Masters of the Pillow, Ong Bak)
September 2004 (Music: Janeska, Elemnop; Books: Total Strength Training for Women)
August 2004 (Music: Benny Mao, Phuz, Bastion, Charlie Liu, Emilio; Movies: Protege De La Rose Noire, Jiang Hu, Moving Targets)
July 2004 (Music: Pam Tan, Mion, Johnny Hi-Fi; Movies: Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle)
June 2004 (Music: Teri Untalan, John Flor Sisante)
May 2004 (Music: Kite Operations, Titofelix; Movies: Star Runner, Herbal Tea, Turn Left Turn Right, Hidden Track, Fantasia, Floating Landscape)
April 2004 (Music: Alvendia, Bryan Chan, Mion, William Hung; Movies: Running on Karma, Anna in Kung Fu Land, Kill Bill Volume 2, Kikujiro, and The Way Home)
March 2004 (Music: Putnam Hall, Organic Thoughts; Movies: Charlotte Sometimes, Infernal Affairs 3; Books: Bringing Down The House)
February 2004 (Music: Vienna Teng, Odessa Chen, Akamai Brain Collective, Justin Young, One Vo1ce, With Love, Stereostar FM)
January 2004 (Music: Chops, One Vo1ce EP, Moulann; Movies: Torque, Good Times, Bed Times, Shiver, Infernal Affairs 2)
December 2003 (Music: The Francis Kim Band, Himalayan Project, Sonic Orange, and Jeff Hsin; Movies: Men Suddenly in Black, My Dream Girl, and The Last Samurai)
November 2003 (Music: Harlemm Lee, Fiona Wong, and Adagio; Movies: Truth or Dare: 6th Floor Rear Flat and So Close)
October 2003 (Music: Kevin So and Kaila; Movies: Marrying the Mafia, Heroic Duo, Kill Bill, and Under the Tuscan Sun)
If you have a have an Asian Pacific American project coming up (MP3s of your music, CD, video, film, book, more?) and are looking for more exposure let us know about it and we will try to review your project so that others can find out more!
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