Latest Reviews
April 3
Artist: Jargon
Title: We Re-Invented The Remix: The Official Mixtape
Genre: Rap
Rating: ****
Chiacgo-based rapper Jargon is poised to break into the commercial hip-hop scene this Spring and possibly through Summer. His album "We Re-invented The Remix: The Official Mixtape" could capture the Spring Break crowd and blow-up in the summer season like other rap artists in past years like 50 Cent, Nelly, and others. Tracks have memorable hooks and beats to get a crowd jumping. If the MTV scene picks up on Jargon's album, he could be the hottest commercial rap act of 2005.
Nelson
Artist: Kite Operations
Title: Dandelion Day
Genre: Rock
Rating: ***
Kite Operations' latest CD features 10 tracks and if you liked their last EP, you'll enjoy more of the same. Vocals are definitely more in control this time around though sometimes the guitar overpowers the vocals. Musically, there are less risks here than their previous CD but there is an occassional style change that seems to come out of nowhere, which is what was unexpectedly good about the last CD. "Tracing Paths" did that for me. It had a almost jazz sound to it at the start and that provides a start contrast to the end of the previous song "Effervescene" with a heavy guitar ending. Kite Operations is hard to define and sometimes a little guitar-happy, but they do keep things interesting and for that their latest is worth a listen.
Nelson
Artist: Twilight Sentinels
Title: N/A
Genre: Rap, Hip Hop
Rating: ***
Twilight Sentinels is an underground hip hop group that keeps the art of hip hop true to form. When you venture over to their website you can download six beats and six tracks all of which give the audience just a taste of what they represent. Some of the beats they created from scratch are mellow and very chill. I enjoy listening to "Jimmycliffinst, and Babeklemmerinst." I also wanted to recommend listening to "I Gotta," this track demonstrated their lyricist skills as MC’s. Twilight Sentinels has a unique sound when you put their music in your ear. DJ Tom Slick should be recognized for his mixes on the wheels of steel and let us not forget about Joe Harvey and Mic. L. Night, they too got the skills to pay the bills. These cats have a true sound and they should be given their props for putting together music that is real. Under ground hip hop is hard to come by so if you love hip hop you might want to show them your love.
Ray
Artist: Jack Tung
Title: 9, Operator
Genre: Electronic
Rating: ***
This self-released album from Jack Tung was recorded live in one eight-hour recording sessions. Tung, an electronic music wizard, takes an electric guitar, drum machine and sampler and creates interesting electronica that is full of ambiance. You start off on a dreamy journey into the "12:15" and then you rock out with guitar licks from the untitled second track. This seems to be the pattern for this CD, you get a moody, lush track followed by a heavier rocking track. It works, ultimately, in creating a mood that brings you from one point to another and back again. Experimental? Electronic? I'd say creative and noteworthy.
Nelson
Author: Jenny Lee
Title: What Wendell Wants : or, How to Tell If You're Obsessed with Your Dog
ISBN: 038533785X
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Jenny Lee brought her sense of humor to the book "I Do, I Did, Now What?" and she continues her chuckle-worthiness in her latest book, "What Wendell Wants." Now that she's tackled the topic of marriage, she has decided to tackle her obsession with her dog Wendell, a wheaten terrier. Chapters read as a collection of stories - often times very funny. Lee knows her obsession with her dog is a serious and yet not-so-serious thing - something she can laugh at and any dog lover will have many laughs as Lee discusses her 10 types of dog owners. What type of dog owner are you? Embrace your obsessions with your dog and laugh at them with an entertaining read.
Nelson
Title: Jin: The Making of a Rap Star
Produced by: Dee & Waah/ Ruff Ryder Pictures
Unrated/ 53 Minutes
"The Making of a Rap Star" follows Jin on his path to stardom prior to the release of his Ruff Ryders debut album "The Rest is History" (2004). He introduces us to his loving and supportive family (speaking in Cantonese as well). We learn of Jin's "rags to riches" struggle as a young rapper making ends selling his own mixtapes and taking the risk to move to NY which eventually would lead him to become a Freestyle Fridays Champion on BET. He also takes us on a hilarious road trip with his crew to a college concert where he's supposed to open for Nas, but ends up hours late. He still performs... but freestyling out of frustration outside of the campus.
This music documentary is a bit short of showcasing Jin's array of music and freestlyles, partly because this DVD was videotaped "guerilla" style and independently released. Bonus footage includes interviews from the "2 Fast 2 Furious" Premiere, the "Learn Chinese" music video, and clips from his notorious "Fight Club" Freestyle Battle in Puerto Rico. Too bad it doesn't have clips from his famous BET freestyle battles. In some ways it may of been released too prematurely. Regardless, this DVD is a good own for all Jin fans. This is just the beginning for him.
LeRoid
Previous Reviews
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)
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