Latest Reviews
September 18
Artist: Megadose Soundflake
Title: Consider Yerself Sonned
Genre: Electronic/Dance
Rating: *****
Over the years, Megadose Soundflake (MDSF) has developed from the simple beginnings from when I was first introduced to their music. Back then it was obvious to me that they were still searching for their niché. Well, with Consider Yerself Sonned, they've found it - in electronica/dance music with a soulful edge. For someone like me who grew up in the 70's disco/soul era that led into the 80's funk/dance craze, this is a CD that captures my full attention. For those who aren't familiar with those eras, MDSF brings a freshness to make old new again. The tracks capture the very innocence that once was when it was just fun to dance, rollerskate, and just have fun. My favorite track, "So Necessary," takes the Stevie Wonder "All I Do" riff and creates a new funky jam. "The Move" is truly inspired by the 80's New Order heavy rhythmic beats turning it into a house blend. "Hey Nonny Nonny" brings back Junior's "Mama Used to Say." "Step in the Marina" will make you think of Madonna's "Holiday." And just when you thought it couldn't get more interesting, MDSF throws "Meth Rokk" at you to bring some harder edge. Very high thumbs up for this CD for old and new alike who love soul and dance music. DJs that program 70's and 80's music might want to think about tossing in MDSF for a little change.
Favorite Tracks: "So Necessary," "Hey Nonny Nonny," and "Turdburglin'"
Nels
Artist: Jenny Hyun
Title: Jenny Hyun 2006
Genre: Pop
Rating: ****
Jenny Hyun has gone through a lot in the music business already, despite her 21 years of age. Having been crowned the winner of MTV's "Becoming Christina Aguilera" to getting a management and production deal in 2002, she has been a talent on the horizon that has been fostering and developing over the years. Fast forward to 2006 and Hyun is no longer associated with the management/production deal and is now looking at making a go of the music business herself and on her own. Her independent release "Jenny Hyun 2006" is not one you'll find in stores (yet) but you can order it online from her web site and even listen to clips on her MySpace site. Essentially, the CD is a mixture of her previously produced works like "Geisha Girl" and "Yuhjas (Ladies)" combined with some newer productions like "Won't Give Up" (inspired by her experiences in the music industry and which I could see as a theme song for the next Olympic games), "Someone," and "So True." Overall, the CD showcases Hyun's immense vocal talent though production on some of the newer songs and the remixed songs lacked a dynamic music quality - making those songs feel like demos than releasable songs. But this CD should be garnering the attention of record labels out there because this is one talent that is destined for stardom.
Favorite Tracks: "Won't Give Up," "Geisha Girl," and "Lovesick"
Nels
Artist: Kellee
Genre: R&B
Rating: ****
A new artist on the horizon and you can listen to her 2 year old material on MySpace (which is what I'm reviewing here). Her debut is scheduled for release soon on Young & Restless Records but until then, this is what we've got from Kellee. Kellee is inspired by Alicia Keys, Sade, and Erykah Badu and her music shows those influences but she brings her own flavor to the table as well and that is where I think she will shine once the world hears her. The 4 tracks on MySpace, "Mr. Right Now," "Cheap Talk," "Love Sick," and "All Your Love" showcase different styles and the track that shines for me is "Love Sick" - which is soulful that can be appealing to a wide age range, the rap from Cautious also gives it a younger feel. Overall, if this glimpse from Kellee is any indication, we'll be hearing more from her - and that's a good thing.
Favorite Track: "Love Sick"
Nels
Previous Reviews
August 2006 (Music: Gi, Asian Crisis; DVD: Lumpia Palooza 2)
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)
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