2 shots bourbon or Rye Whiskey (any brand you like)
200ml lemon juice
Some syrup of one's choice
Egg white of one egg
Ice, cube
A nice maraschino cherry
Put in a chilled shaker. Shake the shit out of it, cherry on top.
BOOM! Drink, now listen.
We are heading over first to the Lion City, where Spacedays are cranking out some cool psychedelic tunes with nice melodics. "Some days we just need some space to reflect," the band says. For fans of Tame Impala, check out the track Lucy's Space Garden, rocking out in Singapore.
If ya missed the great music, do check out Hear First 6!
Top photo : Sweet John / Bottom photo : I Mean Us
At the blog, we are huge fans of Taiwanese rock. Sweet John's "Search by a Kiss'' is winning us over with those awesome build ups and big hooks, with tonnes of layers. It's a similar story with another one of the country's cool post rock psych bands - I Mean Us. Their track "UNICODE (feat. 鳳小岳)" is blowing up.
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Top photo : TYNT / Bottom photo : Luna Is A Bep by Ching Kin Wa
Hong Kong's music scene is growing in ever more complexity with equal parts of anger adding to the fire. TYNT's Dogeyes is complex, layered and delivers a cool rock dance crossover. Meanwhile, Luna Is A Bep has released 每當幻變時 (whenever it changes) that is giving her a more serious, polished sound and pushing her further up the echelon of artists in the city.
In Indonesia, we have been used to jamming to crazy metal, industrial, gabber, punk and more. Guitarist and singer Oslo Ibrahim makes a change, with a soul funk disco sound on "Do You Think You Know Me?". Mark my words, Indonesia has the chops to be Asia's leading music country somewhere down the line.
While you at it, pour up anther and check out the great Asian music you might have missed, Hear First 3!
Top photo : 이수호 (Leesuho) / Bottom photo : Woo
Meanwhile, the popularity of Squid Game on Netflix has Korea on everyone's lips AGAIN. Too often, people don't pay attention to the alternative music scene. 이수호 (Leesuho) - 몸 MOM (Feat. So!YoON!) is simply one of the craziest Asian tracks to come out this year. Meanwhile, alternative Kpop is showing some mad strength with Woo's Ganggangsullae (Gyeongju & Andong) [feat. sogumm], a modern take of a traditional folk song for Jeongwol Daeboreum, the festival of the first full moon of the Lunar New Year.
The most fucked up thing is this is a tourist promotional video - I simply don't care, it's DOPE.
Now, to finish off with something a little different: Shoeb Ahmad is punk rocker, artist, singer/composer and improviser. Her track "balance" is ethereal, visceral, spacy, tribal and spiritual. From her new release, Facade.
AND THAT'S IT FOR THIS MONTH! See ya, keep a clean nose, watch the plain clothes.
Cheers.
Fabsabs x
A library of Hear First. Asian Music Spotlights with Fabsabs here, for your listening pleasures!
If you live in this city, you know that this drink is THE SHIT. It’s also really easy to make:
You want to brew that tea nice and strong for like 20 minutes. If you are extra picky, strain from height or through a panty hose (for real!), that will bring out more tannins. You need to have one part evaporated milk to three parts tea. Add the milk to a cup first and then top up with tea. Then add sugar to taste. Let that cool a bit, then line up some ice in a cocktail shaker. When the tea is not too hot, pour over ice, add as much ice cold vodka as you like and voila! Get tipsy mofos.
Optional for real wasters – add one shot Cognac
Now to the music!
Top : Katana // Bottom : Franklin Telescope (credit : Vic Shing @Musicsurveillance)
Katana is a Vancouver-based artist from Hong Kong with the good vibes. I’m kind of psyched to find her out because she is the type of underground artist that gives you the chills and makes you want to dig music forever. Her song Fender Player offers something between funk, jazz, electro and bass music. Speaking of funk, Franklin Telescope brings some fire with high tempos and rock music – think Jamiroquai, acid-jazz, soul-funk and more. Lots of party jams here!
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LK-072 have been steadily climbing up the popularity ladders since their Doja Cat cover “告訴我SaySo ft. lee3gou (cantonese cover)” caught fire. It’s been in a sure win track in the clubs I play in, and I’m enjoying the new track “誰令我心痴” (who made me love crazy – possibly a shit translation) which goes full 80s/90s Canto disco on us. It’s pretty Anita Mui, and that’s a damn good thing. And for fine measure I’ve thrown in another Canto disco revival artist Delta T, with the insanely catchy 寂寞的雪糕 (Lonely Disco).
Photo of Yusobeit
Major disclaimer here, I love punk, nu-metal and 00s music, so I included this: MEØWMEØW – ASHES. First of all, the name is awesome (like if your pet cat was Scandinavian and had a band), and it’s just a jam that makes me think of Blink 182, Papa Roach et al… and that shit is back in trend haha… If you like something with a math rock/shoegaze vibe (think Science Noodles, Elephant Gym or GDJYB) give Yusobeit a whirl, which mixes chill and the sophisticated breakdowns that math rock fans will expect.
Photo of The Paisley Daze
Readers of this blog will have picked up on some Punjabi Hong Kong vibes in previous posts – the rapper Govi Dhaliwal comes to mind, but a new song is in my ears this month - Blossom by The Paisley Daze. The production from these young Punjabi brothers is really artistic, with effortless pop hooks, great dancy energy and just a vibe.
Top : Mr Koo (credit : Lapyin Brooks) // Midde : Shumking Mansion // Bottom : Olivier Cong
I’m off to drink, so let’s round this off. The recent Cheung Chau Wave festival of arts, film and music was not only an amazing event but also the chance to reconnect and see some amazing local bands. Mr Koo delivered a wonderful performance of surf-rock and folk jams; Shumking Mansion effused energy, fun, funk and joy; and finally a mention to the talented composer Olivier Cong with his moving performance of songs including music from Benson Koo’s indie movie: Take Us To The Island.
While we are on the subject of soundtracks, here is a classic piece of Hong Kong cinematic history - MADE IN HONG KONG 香港製造 – Original Soundtrack by Lam Wah Chuen is on Bandcamp. Do yourself a favour and support it.
Ciao folks x
The Playlist
One thing I like about the past, however, is finding the hidden gems. It’s sonic archeology, uncovering and presenting things that might not be just covered by dirt, but grow from it like a flower. Shit, there’s a reason they call rummaging in record shops “digging.”
And really, although sometimes we stumble-bumble onto King Tut’s tomb, it’s really the same as anything: the directions to the pyramids is the same as to Carnegie Hall (“practice, practice, practice”).
And so we have the GOING THROUGH PAGES Rock N Roll Book Club which I run over here in Shanghai, China. We read, meet, and discuss rock ’n’ roll books. It’s a social group, yes, but also just a support group for sound shovelers. We’re 30 meetings in, and the 31st is in two Tuesdays, on August 31st.
So I began prep for the next book, “Muscle Shoals Sound Studio: How The Swampers Changed American Music” by Carla Jean Whitley, about the recording studio in rural Alabama that birthed classics from the Rolling Stones and others. Your brain might not know “Muscle Shoals” but your tapping toes know their distinct bass drum. These are the funky chubby boys Lynyrd Skynyrd warned you about.
In the book there's like one and half flippant lines about one of the great voices in music. That made me stop and bust out the chisel. Cause one of the voices of my personal temple of boom called from way down: Jimmy Cliff.
Jimmy Cliff is where I get the Sam Cooke-vibes from. Most known for starring and soundtracking the Jamaican cult-classic flick “The Harder They Come,” his voice has the sweet, lonely gospel cry that touches me. He’s the one that when he wails “Many Rivers to Cross,” he brings the salt-water in the? Jordan from The Bible to the headphones.
While “The Harder They Come” is sometimes labeled as a biography of Cliff, his journey took a different path. He didn’t fester in the Kingston slums to find success, he was quickly recognized and jettisoned right out. Before “The Harder They Come,” he was sent to England to record a northern-soul type-tune “Waterfall.”
The other side of that 45 single is “Wonderful World, Beautiful People,” which is not to be confused by “Wonderful World” by…Sam Cooke. “Wonderful World” Is a cute little ditty. I like it; it’s fine. “Wonderful World, Beautiful People” is something else. The opening lyrics, written by Cliff, are
“Wonderful world, beautiful people
You and your girl, things could be pretty
But underneath this there is a secret
That nobody can reveal”
It doesn’t bother with niceties like rhyming and strict meter. This is Book of Revelation Babylon type-shit: those city lights might be bright, but they illuminate only darkness.*
So while Cooke’s “Wonderful World” was a hit, and is even today an anthem for anyone who failed certain school subjects, Cliff was still a critically acclaimed prospect. Bob Dylan was a fan, but not Bob down the street.
And so around 1971, Jamaica-born Cliff found himself in rural Alabama, a long way from the cocktails in London or the rum bars in Kingston. After all, Sheffield is in a dry county, amongst its other blue laws. Probably designed to keep someone like Cliff out as much as anyone. But here he was in Muscle Shoals Sound Studio.
His mission was to record an album, and one that ironically was not destined for it’s launching pad. The album that would be recorded, “Another Cycle,” never got a full release in the USA, with copies only released in the UK, Europe, and Jamaica.
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His accompaniment was the previously mentioned Muscle Shoals swampers, the same core guys that backed Aretha Franklin up on “Respect” and who when Paul Simon went looking for the funky black guys, was told they were there, but were a lot more pale than Simon might have expected.**
Cliff put out the album in it’s limited release, and it did absolute squat. It became hardly a footnote to the guy known for “Harder They Come.”
But now in 2021, powered by my digging gene, responsibility for my book club, my love of Cliff’s voice, (and the same depression pushing me to write this at 5:51 am on August 20, 2021), I wanted to hear this shit.
And no, it’s not on YouTube (or Spotify, or QQ in China). Nor is it available on that evil thieves crutch of torrent websites. Some vinyl copies are found second-hand on resellers sites, but since the book club is coming up, I didn’t want to wait for that.
More digging revealed the songs are part of a disc of a digital release of a Jimmy Cliff boxset on Amazon.com. The tracks from “Another Cycle” are on there, even though it's not labelled specifically as being from that album. It’s got 4 ratings and most of those from 10 years plus. See for yourself.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001NXWHHW/ref=dm_ws_sp_ps_dp
So I bought the album, a surprisingly rare find for an artist who is a Rock N Roll Hall of Famer and one of the top music legends of his home country.
And…it’s a revelation, a book of them. We got a singer rooted in reggae backed by a country-soul unit, and it pours like fine wine. It moves from the deeply spiritual “Another Cycle” to “Oh, How I Miss You” with the one song from the album that did live on, “Sitting in Limbo” right in-between.
The songs stretch out like nothing else in his catalogue, with two over 6 minutes, allowing the vibrations to sink in deep.
I’ve only begun listening to this album, but I can tell we’re going to have a long relationship.
These are the things that make it worth it. Under the shadow of Sam Cooke and Cliff’s other successes, and just crusty time. This piece had been hiding in the shade of history, just waiting to be discovered. From likely a few weeks in Alabama in the early 70s, to a few sentences in a book, to my ears here in Shanghai, to your eyes now, this work by Jimmy Cliff lives on for “Another Cycle.”
—
*Know who got this? Devo. Check out their tune titled the oh so similarly themed “Beautiful World.”
**Hip Hop sidebar: Simon went down to record “Take Me to the Mardi Gras.” That song was covered by Bob James…and you KNOW that one. It’s an essential hip hop breakbeat and was sampled in everything from “Straight Out of Compton” by NWA and numerous tunes by Nas, 50 Cent, etc.
“I’ll Take You There” by The Staple Singers was also recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound. That’s been sampled a bunch, including in the hit “Let’s Talk About Sex” by Salt-N-Pepa.
8 IN THE CLIP. EP12. MAY 6, 2021
Michelada
Ingredients
Mexican beer (Sol, Corona etc)
Clamato juice (or tomato juice)
Freshly squeezed lime juice
Worcestershire sauce
Soy sauce (or Maggi sauce)
Hot sauce
Ice
Instructions
Cover rim of glass with Tajin seasoning (or celery salt with chili powder).
Garnish with lime slice.
Mix ingredients - 50/50 beer to juice, and dashes of the rest. Top with shedloads of ice.
DRINK!
What’s up Spitgan Gang? We are gearing up for August with new acts that rock!
Here is what I have been listening to of late.
You know a band is special when a few of your music friends message you simultaneously about them. Fresh off a triumphant live show, Lucid Express are stealing the hearts of indie lovers, in dire need of lightness in the dark. Formerly known as THUD, Lucid Express is part My Bloody Valentine, Cocteau Twins, Tame Impala, all with a dash of 2021 angst, dreamy ethereal soundscapes, with a hint of fuck you: https://lucidexpress.bandcamp.com/album/lucid-express.
Check out the great music of HEAR FIRST 4!
A brief but awesome album that has come across the radar is Goodbye Tragic Manga by Arches, which takes inspiration from the 90s indie and grunge music. Think a bit of Sonic Youth meets Smashing Pumpkins, Placebo and more. Good fun and joins the recent indie explosion that has happened in Hong Kong over the last couple of years: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttbr9bDz0yc
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You might have seen some of his shows or heard his remixes, and now you can enjoy the back catalogue of Fingergap's work in its entirety. Caution Wet Floor includes all of Fingergap's rare and hard to find remixes, which takes traditional Cantonese pop music, and mind bends into footwork. Enjoy the speedy, breath-taking rhythms and funky grooves, along with sped up Cantonese samples that lend a hyperactive character, yet still act as solid party jams. For fans of Cantopop, see if you can spot the influences and deconstructions as they unfold. Plenty of fun for the family: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6Xfb5jOOyI/ https://fingergap.bandcamp.com/album/caution-wet-floor.
And while we are at it, Hong Kong footwork and juke artist Kolak is another one to watch with his tight grooves, creativity and artist exploration. Learn more about him and other underground artists working in the drum n bass inspired 160bpm environment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJ9lPSfddoE
Check out the great music of HEAR FIRST 3
The last few years have seen a major rise in interest in disco and Italo in particular, so Cubes by Bedroom Party fits right in that trend. Sitting comfortably on the dancefloor environment but also in the similar sub category with the likes of Future Islands, offering an indie slant on dance music, Bedroom Party are building buzz and will be one to watch going forward: https://bedroomparty.bandcamp.com/album/cubes
Photo by : Dion Leung
Hong Kong is offering up way too much at the moment for you guys to listen to. R.I.D.D.E.M are shaping up to be one of the best live acts to ever emerge from the underground. Blending everything from surf jams to Dub reggae, Neo-soul, Trip Hop and Jazz funk, with clever covers to boot, R.I.D.D.E.M are showing the type of energy, talent and form that should be propelling them to international class status. Much of that has to do with the band’s tight vibes, the star power of front lady Reggie Yip, and the fact they just look like they are having a tonne of fun. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SvGjlkYQyY
If you are after similar types of chill vibes, you wouldn’t go amiss listening to Clave, who serve up smooth jazz grooves, funk and the type of atmosphere that most listeners don’t expect from the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssFnB3vyPIs
Check out the great music of HEAR FIRST 2!
The galvanising force of Hong Kong’s indie scene at the moment is encapsulated by Fds/4eva who combine on stage charisma, quirky hyper local marketing, catchy hooks, performance chops and pure energy. What makes Fds/4eva stand out is serious music (referencing the likes of Roberta Flack and Chick Corea) with a disregard for looking cool – the boys get their shirts off and wear bunny ears at live shows, and seem to absolutely not give a fuck while jamming out and delivering serious performances: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNeQgwo9Hn8
NOW! Let’s move away from Hong Kong for our last two artists. If you are like me, then you like some banging hard techno tunes. Think Dutch Techno, Gabber, Hard Style, Psy-Trance, Dubstep, Hardcore, Glitch, and then add in Dance Dance Revolution style stuff and Speed Metal for good measure. What do you get? This crazy masterpiece: U.U.F.O. by かめりあ( Camellia) https://cametek.bandcamp.com/album/u-u-f-o
Photo of Vibratone
Well, I’m out! Before I go, listen to some Cambodian Reggae served up UK based DJ DSK, who presents tracks by Dub Addiction and Vibratone https://djdsk.bandcamp.com/album/cambodian-reggae-special
First... let's drink! It's raining cats and dogs here, so we need a drink to chill! Today's inspiration comes from The Dude in The Big Lebowski. Of course, the drink could only be a:
Classic White Russian
One ounce Kahlúa
Two ounces vodka
One ounce cream, milk, or half-and-half in a cocktail shaker with ice.
Strain into a glass or serve on the rocks.
Garnish with a sprig of mint, cinnamon stick and serve with dark chocolate, a brownie, or cookie.
“Careful Man. There’s A Beverage Here!”
For more boozy, musical goodness check out Hear First 3. Asian Music Spotlight with Fabsabs here.
OK! On with the tunes. Grab a seat, start boozing, and get listening.
Samuke is vibing on my charts at the moment. The Kazakhstan artist always has a few tricks up the sleeve, and this atmospheric dubstep vibe, reminiscent of Burial, is just the thing we need for this SHIT weather.
https://samuke.bandcamp.com/track/tomorrow
Bela is next up with Guidelines, taking Nongak, a traditional form of Korean folk music, and remixing it into pulsing, splitting, and time-warping tunes that reimagine the past via deconstructed club music. This is a challenge to both tradition and modern dance music, and a DAMN COOL ONE at that.
https://swinedaily.com/interview-bela-are-reinventing-traditional-korean-nongak-music/
OH BTW (SNEAKY SHAMELESS SELF PROMO): In a similar vein, here is my version of skewered Cantonese Opera - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZ5m-2ooOpg
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Next up, Waqas Ahmed is bringing his extreme metal vibes, with some sweet synth work to add to it. Originally from Lahore, Pakistan, he now resides in Romania, and does session work all over the world. Yojimbo in Cyberspace is a DOPE track to catch.
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5fSBl6GlBohajdMccfrf08
In Hong Kong, the reinvigorated rock scene is rising in marked contrast to the sinking ship of its political environment, probably not a coincidence there. Bad Math is a band that I have no idea where the fuck has been hiding, but luckily are making some seriously cool indie tunes.
https://badmathhk.bandcamp.com/
For something different, the music of Lee Moore came across my desk this month and the ridiculous 36 track "Lee Moore - A Gram Of Boogie - The Story of Lee Moore - Score Records & LM Records Memphis, 1979-89" is a vinyl that I want but cannot afford at US$85. Still, you can enjoy the efforts of the Arkansas native who spent the 1980s collaborating in Memphis with session musicians and vocalists from Volt and Stax Records to make futuristic boogie, soul, and funk.
In London, Batov Records has made a huge name for themselves in recent years and it's little surprise they put out tracks by Israeli artist Sababa 5 (feat. Yurika) which effortlessly blends Middle Eastern grooves with Japanese vocals and a ‘City Beat’ style. You guys are killing it!
https://sababa5.bandcamp.com/album/tokyo-midnight
Top photo credit : Elad Baranga and Gal Melnick
And let's not forget Batov Records’ other crazy releases with the two leading psych and surf bands in Tel Aviv, Ouzo Bazooka and RPS Surfers. Here the bands cover "I Dream of Naomi" (אני חולם על נעמי "Ani Cholem Al Naomi") by Israeli duo Hedva and David. The song won first place at the Yamaha Song Festival in Tokyo in 1970 and sold more than a million copies of its Japanese version ナオミの夢 Naomi no Yume.
https://batovrecords.bandcamp.com/album/i-dream-of-naomi
The original is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxgInZsgorU
Let's give you all a couple of experiments before I jet. The Italian label Unexplained Sounds Group has been releasing experimental music from around the world, and this Anthology Of Contemporary Music From Indonesia is super bonkers. From lowercase style minimalism to power electronics and noise rock to spiritual folk instrumentation, everything is here. The country's music scene is pretty awesome and this is no disappointment. Light up a joint and listen up bitches.
https://unexplainedsoundsgroup.bandcamp.com/album/anthology-of-contemporary-music-from-indonesia
To finish, fans of psychedelic and spiritual jazz will enjoy “J Jazz: Deep Modern Jazz from Japan 1969 – 1984”. It's one to really vibe on from one of the best labels in the UK – BBE.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHcew67ZORE
Photo : Jaison Lin
... AND WHILE WE ARE AT IT! Check out Teruki Chan's jazz masterpiece "Seven Compositions from Sheung Shui". HONG KONG REPRAZENT! This guy is the future of Hong Kong jazz funk! Y’ALL HEARD IT HERE FIRST
https://teruki-chan.bandcamp.com/album/seven-compositions-from-sheung-shui
Tune in Monthly for Hear First. Asian Music Spotlight with Fabsabs.
Hit up more gems of the Asian Music Scene, Hear First 1 with Fabsabs!
Hey guys, what’s happening!? I’m in a mood for some music and a drink so here are some tunes and liquids to pair them up with. Get your drinking game onnnnnn...
Photo credit : Manav Shankar
Let's get things off with a group that has become a Hong Kong legend in no time. The new album DTx2 is here from Hong Kong's Blood Wine or Honey. It's awesome to see their unique style of fusion jazz-funk, house, afrobeat and globally influenced percussive psych back! Collaborators include Preservation (producer for Yasiin Bey fka Mos Def, MF Doom, RZA, GZA, Raekwon, KRS-One, Aesop Rock and others; KT Tunstall; Tim Weller (drummer for Marc Almond, Future Sound of London, Goldfrapp, The Chemical Brothers, David Axelrod), along with Paul Morley and Janice Lau of Hong Kong band David Boring.
Listen now: https://bloodwineorhoney.com/
DRANK: Blood Orange Sangria, bringing some wine, blood and honey.
1.5 L bottle of red wine (Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot, or
Zinfandel)
1/2 cup triple sec (or other citrus liquor)
1/2 cup vodka
4 blood oranges (juiced, or regular oranges)
2 apples (chopped)
1 blood orange (chopped)
Dash honey
Photo credit : Ear Up Music
Need something fun because your life is a drag? Hong Kong artist 再生中Saiseichu is here with some disco-funk retro vibes with《呼吸自由》To Breathe. It has a very breezy city pop feel that brings to mind other Hong Kong artists on the up, including the irrepressible The Hertz, DJ Tsoi, Beat Friday and Rock Hill Street.
Listen now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HULN6j1RfZ0
DRANK: Campari Spritz. Easy, chill, and gets you hammered before you notice.
2 ounces Prosecco or other sparkling wine
1 ounce club soda
2 ounces Campari
1 large green olive
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Avid followers of Hong Kong's live music scene will likely know The Red Stripes, the city's leading group for ska. Their new Soundclash album has tonnes of collaborators remaking dub versions of their tracks, including Pomegranate Sounds, Celestial, Professor Kinski and JStar. It's mad beat science shit for y'all.
Listen now: https://theredstripes.bandcamp.com/album/soundclash
DRANK: Can of Red Stripe beer, of course!
Check out Hear First 2 With DJ Fabsabs too.
We are staying in Hong Kong, because fuck you it's my article. For real though, HKCR has been a revelation for the city and its community radio scene and its HKCR Annual Fundraiser 眾籌計劃 Compilation 2021 is a place to get good music and help out the scene - tracks by the likes of ASJ, Nerve, QQBBG and Misty Penguin deliver fire.
Listen now: https://hkcr.bandcamp.com/album/hkcr-annual-fundraiser-compilation-2021
DRANK: Hainan Chicken Rice, because you need something strong in Hong Kong.
Shot Tequila
Shot Jager
Glass Red Bull
Sake bomb in Hoegaarden glass
Instructions: Balance shots in the glass of Red Bull. Place glass on top of sake shot within the Hoegaarden. Shoot tequila, let jäger drop into Red Bull. Shoot Jager Bomb. Shoot Sake bomb. Man up. Don't die.
It's some Korean action next, from the ridiculously popular Neon City Records, bringing the best vaporwave globally, all out of Hong Kong. They are riding on a wave right now, with a new shop called selling records and crazy vintage stuff in Sham Shui Po and releasing records all the time, dominating Bandcamp listings for the city. Super Brass 2 is a Korean rare groove album that is so sick, I have no idea how they find this shit.
Listen now: https://neoncityrecords.bandcamp.com/album/super-brass-2
DRANK: Yogurt Soju (Yakult + Soju + Chilsung Cider), because it's too cool for school, plus if you don't like Yakult you are a sad bitch.'
50% Chilsung Cider
25% Yakult
25% Soju
Now let's go leftfield a bit. Turkey is the spot (I know this is an Asian music review, but hey, it's still in Asia, just about). I was cruising Bandcamp and came across this cool disco edit series. ISTANBUL70 : Disco, Psych, Folk edits by Barış K Vol.4 is part of four releases bringing Turkish vibes to disco edits - sick, sick, sick.
Listen now: https://istanbul70.bandcamp.com/album/istanbul70-disco-psych-folk-edits-by-bar-k-vol-4
DRANK: Pomegranate Lemon Rum, a mojito inspired concoction.
Shot of white rum
2 ozs pomegranate juice (100% juice)
1 cup ice cubes
Mint leaves
1 cup soda
1 lemon sliced
Syrup or sugar
Photo credit : Robert Kroos
While we are around the Middle East, Habibi by Babylon Trio takes the Omar Souleyman vibe and brings a similar party and dance spirit. The group consists of three Iraqi musicians who arrived in Belgium in 2015 as refugees. Arkan Mushtak hails from Baghdad (keys), accompanied by Saif Al-Qaissy (percussion, djarbouka) along with singer Walaa Saad. Together they play an electrified mix of contemporary Iraqi music styles, including choubi choubi, dabke, maqam and electronic hybrids.
Listen Now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yr9IuuNeUwU
DRANK: Arak. Mix two parts water to one part spirit. Add ice. Clench your buttocks. Don't skimp, get a good one!
The Iranian arts scene is full of surprises, most notably the country's rich cinema but also its music. Isteghna by Hassan K is the album I've been vibing on most recently, verging across rockabilly, math rock, jazz, screamo, dance, traditional music, and lots of randomness. Definitely one for fans of Mr Bungle and that strand of eclectic crazy. Keyvane Alinaghi is responsible for this wild blend of Persian tradition and sonic adventure.
Listen now: https://extranormalrecords.bandcamp.com/album/isteghna
DRANK: Sharbat-e Sekanjebin - a sweet and sour mixture of honey/syrup and white vinegar with chopped cucumber and mint.
To round off, Rafe D'Aquino held a special place in the heart of Hong Kong's indie music scene. The bass guitar player and multi-instrumentalist was interested in playing a wide range of genres across many groups. Unfortunately, his life was cut tragically short last year. Here is one of his last projects, the electronic group Kutoff with Nicola Parrington. It has been aptly named "For Rafe". RIP brother.
Listen now: https://kutoff.bandcamp.com/album/for-rafe
Check out Hear First 2 With DJ Fabsabs too!
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2) Empires - Eric Bobo X Stu Bangas ft. Mr. Lif and DJ Rhettmatic
3) Been To War - Swizz Beats X DMX X French Montana
4) CDAT - Rob Markman prod. DviousMindz
5) Certified Neptunes - Moneybagg Yo ft. Pharrell
6) Extravagance - Kool Keith
7) Triple OG - B Real ft. Freeway (prod. Scott Storch)
8) "HIP HOP" - Wiki & NAH
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Hey guys, I’m back again for April! Hope you are going good and steady, and managing to get some parties in. What’s been on my radar over the last month in Asian indie music?
First stop Pakistan… MF DOOM is a sadly missed hip hop legend who passed away earlier this year, and first on my list this month is a tribute by Lahore based JAUBI. The jazz homage was inspired by Madvillain, Doom’s project with Madlib that counts among rap’s greatest ever albums.
Check out HEAR FIRST 1. Asian Music Spotlight by DJ Fabsabs!
Pictured : QQBBG (Courtesy of Artist)
Govi Dhaliwal is my main man bringing Punjabi rap to prominence in Hong Kong. The genre is massive in South Asia and across the world, and Hong Kong is at the heart of a new scene that many locals don’t know about. Check out his track with H$D Overseas. It’s been on my rotation plenty, along with the latest BANGER from the city’s original weirdo Kelvin T, the schizophrenic Whiskey Chocolate with cosplaying rapper QQBBG and Shanghai’s boy wonder Jiafeng. It’s an explosive statement of Kelvin T’s galvanizing force right now, and with more releases on the way, big things are expected.
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Pictured : Kimberly Road Union (Courtesy of Artist)
Hong Kong is bursting with talent right now, and there is plenty of pent-up energy ready to get out in the face of COVID restrictions and a repressive environment for expression. The collective 金巴利道路真理生命聯合 / Kimberly Road Union brings a unique lineup of musicians, from emo rocker Lok, to blues artist Tomii Chan, and electronic music maestro and producer Nerve, to deliver a project blending everything from jazz, screamo, leftfield electronica, folk and expansive journeys across many genres.
Left : Mong Tong 夢東 (Courtesy of Artist) // Right : YONLAPA
The style reminds me of the Taiwanese dream-pop band Mong Tong 夢東 representing the country’s indie music scene with its Buddhist drone sounds, indie rhythms, and tribal drums. It’s a sound that is uniquely Taiwan. Over in Thailand, YONLAPA is taking this dreaminess and infusing it with funk, psychedelia, love and talent, bringing a new sound from Chiang Mai.
Pictured : Dimas Saktya (Courtesy of Artist)
Indonesia is a country to watch carefully for its music flair. Jakarta based musician Dimas Saktya is igniting dance with his Swarsaktya project that blends house, electro, space disco, rock and tribal rhythms in the way that is unmistakably underground and yet booty shaking ready. Indonesia’s indie scene is quietly taking its place among the best in Asia.
Top : Nhạc Gãy (Courtesy of Artist) // Bottom : Kalibr+
In Vietnam, Nhạc Gãy Tổng Hợp Số 1 is an intriguing compilation of bangers across techno, gabber, idm, vinahouse, industrial, hip-hop, breakbeat from the country’s music producers. It’s a seriously impressive range, and sign that we should be expecting more very soon. The compilation brought to mind a similarly striking compilation album released by Kalibr+, an introduction of artists from the Gulf state of Kuwait demonstrating strong breadth of talent, electronic genres and the surprise that we had never heard of any of these artists (well, me at least!).
Pictured : Foodman (Courtesy of Artist)
On the esoteric end of the spectrum, Foodman is back with this abstract footwork with an album expected in July. For the initiated, Footwork fuses ghetto house, hip hop and drum n bass to powerful effect. The Nagoya-based Foodman last made an appearance with Machi no gomi in May 2020 that was more of an overdriven techno floor shaker, and this one sounds like it will be more abstract.
Catch you later SPITGAN gang!
This month’s essential Asian indie playlist :
Pakistan : Jaubi - Figaro (Farewell MF DOOM) ft. Latarnik
Hong Kong : Kimberly Road Union/金巴道理農場 - 金巴利道路真理生命 (FULL EP)
Hong Kong - H$D feat Govi Dhaliwal
Taiwan : Mong Tong 夢東 - 台灣謎景 Music from Taiwan Mystery
Hong Kong : QQBBG & Kelvin T - Whiskey Chocolate ft. jiafeng
Thailand : YONLAPA - First Trip EP
Indonesia : Swarsaktya - Street Corner People EP / Edit Series Vol. 10
Vietnam : Nhạc Gãy - Nhạc Gãy Tổng Hợp Số 1:
Japan : Foodman - Yasuragi Land
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3) Don't Need You - Genesis Owusu (Mick Jenkins Remix)
4) Cog In The Machine - Bobby Sessions
5) Top Down - 2 Eleven ft. Freddie Gibbs & Rucci
6) Cooking With Grease - Shelley FKA DRAM
7) 1988 - TWISTELLO Prod. ALPHA BETIC
8) Some Kind of Demon 某一種惡魔 (Yu Su Midnight Express Dub) - Gong Gong Gong
Extra Clips : Since I Left You - Avalanches (Prince Paul Remix), EasterGunn Day 4 Freestyle - Westside Gunn ft. Mach-Hommy, Easter Wave Night - Hus Kingpin.
Check out 8 In The Clip, EP10.
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What’s happening Spitgan gang? I’m DJ Fabsabs. Here are some of the artists I’ve been keeping an eye on to have an awesome year ahead.
New Zealand born, Hong Kong based rapper TripleSix burst on the scene last year with his album, 'Drugs, Lust, Sex then Love'. After a powerful performance on the MTM 2020: The Real Hong Kong Cyphers #1 (Donutcorp, TripleSix, dR. X, Aspect, BMW) on YouTube, his new album is a real revelation.
Recommended track: City Waves by TripleSix ft. Mabel Lau
Zack Calixtus is another Hong Kong based rapper making waves, after building buzz with well-received YouTube videos directed by Rizwan Rahman. His new album is LIT as fxck. The Nepalese Hong Kong artist has a new(ish) album, 'Gloom' out now, a crossing of soulful vibes and trap aesthetics.
Recommended track: Chill Vibes by Zack Calixtus
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When we talk about Hong Kong culture, many people discuss a sense of disappearance. It is apt that one of the city’s best albums from 2020 is 'Seen/Unseen' by three piece group Vanish. Is it's blend of soft and hard sounds, what makes it so appealing?
Recommended track: Waves by Vanish
Post rock has been hot around Asia of late, and one the best groups in Thailand are Hope the Flowers, a project by Narongrit Ittipolnavakul. 'Warchestra' is a track that gives powerful rhythms with sweet melodies, and a depth of what Thailand’s alternative music scene has to offer.
Recommended track: Warchestra by Hope The Flowers
Photo by : Pirate_Photography
OK, this is a cheat, but I often like to check out what’s happening around the world – and having studied university in Scotland – I often keep an eye on the country’s music scene. Classic Rock is definitely the order of the day with the Cold Years, a band from Aberdeen that ranks among my favourites of late.
Recommended track: 31 by Cold Years
Back in Hong Kong, Pora is a project from the city’s amazing Zepa Records. They specialise in Canto grooves, although this is something very different with a chillwave vibe and broken-beat soul groove. The analog synths and glitchy beats with soul-soaked melodies are pure blissed out magic. Look out for more releases from Zepa Records soon, with some new projects coming up including the mysterious Frds/4eva.
Recommended track: Sugarcaine by Pora
An artist with similar jazzy style is Metic. The guitar virtuoso has been back in Hong Kong for the lockdown year and is blowing us away with all his chill vibes, ambient and down tempo tracks. Check out his song “Neon Hour” with DJ/producer Ed Rollo on the remix duties. It’s super chill… but…
Recommended track: Neon Hour (Ed Rollo remix):
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Perhaps the mantle of Hong Kong’s original chill artist should go to Beat Friday. The Hong Kong based group have worked with the likes of Serrini, and this year launched their third album “Year Three”, with beautiful arrangements and vocals, particularly from the likes of singer Marstn, who sings like a freaking angel.
Recommended track: Take a Rest by Beat Friday (with Marstn)
Hong Kong hip-hop label Greytone has been synonymous with the rapper JB, but behind the scenes are some talented producers and DJs. One of whom is Mael. With an EDM inflected dubstep vibe, check out his track with Lillian Wong that brings his up-down tempo changes and lush melancholy together stylishly. Another artist I’ve been wetting my panties for on this label is BMW – one the best canto rappers in Hong Kong, and simply getting better.
Recommended track: Ripples by MAEL X Lillian Wong
Back to the rock for a second. Streets of Rage are one of Hong Kong’s best live bands, interrupted slightly by this year’s pandemic, but on their way up and up with a muscular, tight rock sound. They even managed to have a live show recently, thank god. 'Spill Blood' is pretty damn good to rock out to. They are a part of a larger family of bands that include Ball of Snakes, John Travoltron, M.E.A.T.S and Bastardon. Look out for this band to go ballistic in 2021.
Recommended track: Spill Blood by Streets Of Rage
Finally, to round it all off, another guilty pleasure with power punk band N.Y.P.D. 南洋派對. For anyone who grew up in Hong Kong, their references to Giordano and Bossini in the likes of 美之 (Mee & Gee) are hilarious. This track is 佳佳 (Gai Gai), which explains an existential crisis, Hong Kong style. Fxck your tiramisu. And go fuck yourself this March – PSYCHE!
Recommended track: 佳佳 (Gai Gai) by N.Y.P.D. 南洋派對
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3) Slam Dunk Contest - Your Old Droog X Tha God Fahim ft. Pharoah Monch (prod. by Nottz)
4) Blow Up Your Stereo - Jazz Spastiks ft. Craig G
5) Diet 1.5 - Denzel Curry ft. Benny The Butcher
6) Coming Outside - Onyx
7) Sunshine Superman - Dr. Lonnie Smith ft. Iggy Pop
8) Rifle Experts - RIKERS ISLAND BOXING SCHOOL
Extra goodness : No Stunt Doubles - Cornerstore Connoisseurs, Survive - SageInfinite (prod. Intifada Beats), Columbian Neckties - Cousin Feo & Lord Juco (prod. V Don)
Check 8 In The Clip EP8 here you fiend!
2) Rise Of The Earth People - Tommy Guerrero
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3) D. B. Cooper - Left Lane Didon Prod. by Tha God Fahim
4) Future Of The Game - Tha God Fahim Prod. by Evolution Beknown
5) Flip Phone Hangup - Chris Crack ft. U.G.L.Y. Boy Modeling
6) Crushed Velvet - DJ Preservation
7) Cloud Pour - Qwazaar & Batsauce
8) Lazy Afternoon (Alternate Version) - The Roots
Extra dope worth pushing : Missing Out - Syd, I'm A King - Bobby Sessions ft. Megan The Stallion, James Bond - General Steele X Es-K.
Check out 8 In The Clip. EP 7!
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4) Scene Selection - Lord Juco X Bohemia Lynch
5) Kaytranada - Look Easy ft. Lucky Daye
6) Idiot World - Passport Rav (prod. Lex with the Records)
7) Doughboy Makin Plays - Left Lane Didon X DirtyDiggs
8) The Gram Tape - Hus Kingpin (prod. Bah Label)
Check out 8 In The Clip. Episode 4. January 3, 2021
If you feel you got music we need to hear hit us : whatyouwant@spitgan.com
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3) Your Old Droog - Pravda ft. Mach-Hommy, El-P, Tha God Fahim, Black Thought
4) Elzhi - Master Class
5) King Coldpack X Krohme - MURDER HOTEL ft. Vinny Vendetta
6) Smino - Fronto Isley
7) Rikers Island Boxing School (Spit Gemz X Eff Yoo) - More Murder
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5) Pressure (RMX) - Koffee ft. Buju Banton
6) Uma - Vel The Wonder
7) Gorilla Piss 2 - Buddy Leezle ft. Fatboi Sharif, prod. Rice Master Zen
8) The Last Freedom (GrymeMan Remix) - YoungQueenz
Feenin' for more? Check out '8 In The Clip. EP1.'
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3) Napoleon The Legend X Ro Data - Legend Of the Cyclops (ft. Chazz and DJ Chong Wizard)
4) DNTE - Milk Moustache
5) Retox'D - Personal Jesus RMX
6) Noah-O - Fukshet (Ft. Super Nike Nando)
7) Billy Danze Ft. Lil Fame (M.O.P.) - That Time (Prod. by TooBusy)
8)李英宏 aka DJ Didilong - 水哥 ft.蛋堡 Soft Lipa
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If you survive to the end it's just nasty. Beat is sharp. Shouts to Widowmaker.
]]>Yo let off a shot! Lord Juco is the supervillian, spittin' a stand out verse with Chong Wizard, a funky introduction to a dope album, 'The Mind Stone', and full Hip Hop, Art project, 'The Infinity Stones'.
If you survive to the end it's just nasty. Beat is sharp. Shouts to Widowmaker.
How about some of the illest covers this whole series by : Rob Isreal!
Check the whole damn thing from Chong Wizard's, 'The Mind Stone Album' HERE. Get with it already.
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Whatever the case that sparked this animosity, this dungeon beat brings out the beast in both. This as shiesty as it gets. Writin' a piece on it's anatomy almost seems like snitchin'.
Another strong album from Rim Da Villin, 'Algorhythms' is definitely a project worth checking as he shines throughout the 9 tracks.
Nice to see the next up from Ruck Down/Duck Down Records is comin' strong wit' it!
Stream 'Algorhythms' here. Check 'Con Job' below.
Wayne is supercharged on the track kickin' lines like, 'Pick up the pace when I feel too adjacent to who I'm racin', and this is gem comes in the first 4 bars.
]]>It starts zero-to-150 mph, with successive tracks, 'Funeral', 'Mahogany', 'Mama Mia', and 'I Do It', featuring Big Sean and Lil Baby.
Other tracks definitely on repeat include, 'Ball Hard' with Lil Twist, 'Bastard (Satan's Kid)', and Wayne's World.
The album is 24 tracks, which is a beast in volume, and it's strong, held down by the magnetic character Wayne himself. Salute.
Let's get to this banga that is 'Mahogany' though! Produced by Mannie Fresh, it's a dynamic blend of both talents involved. The beat itself snaps with an energetic clap and vocal sample, and slides with crisp ticks throughout.
Wayne is supercharged on the track kickin' lines like, 'Pick up the pace when I feel too adjacent to who I'm racin', and this is gem comes in the first 4 bars.
Check this track below and the album stream here. Certifiable head-nod shxt!
The production by El Brago is saucy keys energy. It brings an upbeat feel to Falcon Outlaw's lead verse to stay vigilant in these violent times.
]]>The production by El Brago is saucy keys energy. It brings an upbeat feel to Falcon Outlaw's lead verse to stay vigilant in these violent times.
A fitting guess verse from fellow GTA compatriot, Lord Juco spittin' from the perspective of his pen game...Niiice, and will sustain you through, is all you gonna need to push the playback button a few times on this one!
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