Joe - 'Impossible' (2011)

A new track by Joe! It's a slow-tempo R&B track with smooth vocals and nice lyrics.

Listen below:

New Music: Yoon Jong Shin (윤종신) - 2011 月刊 尹鍾信 June (digital single)

Yoon Jong Shin released his June monthly project digital single on May 31, 2011. The title track, "말꼬리 (Feat. 정준일 of Mate) (Horse Tail  feat. feat. Jung Jun Il of Mate)", is a love ballad written and composed by Yoon Jong Shin. I don't hear Jong Shin's vocals here at all.  So, the vocals are only by Jung Jun Il. The song is about the pain of a separation and the emotions from a heart ache. 

The lyrics and music are nice, but what's with the title?! Maybe a metaphor...well it's subjected to change once I find out what it means. Jung Jun Il's vocals are not bad, but I wish Jong Shin sang it instead. 

Tracklist
1. 말꼬리 (Feat. 정준일 of Mate) (Horse Tail  feat. Jung Jun Il of Mate) 

Listen below:

Ra.D - Performances on Yoo Hee Yeol's Sketchbook 2011

Ra.D performed on Yoo Hee Yeol's Sketchbook on March  25, 2011. I can't believe I miss this!!! Ra.D performed "I'm In Love", and also "Couple Song" with his wife, Kelly. I didn't know he was married! They look really sweet singing "Couple Song" together. I love how they look at each other throughout the song as if they were the only ones there. Ra.D sang the piano version of "I'm In Love" which showcases his amazing vocals.

I like the interview too. Ra.D revealed that "I'm In Love" is a song he wrote to propose to his wife, and together they wrote "Couple Song".

Ra.D has such a unique style of R&B and he is so talented! I hope he'll release another album soon.

Watch Ra.D's cut here:

Part 1:



Part 2:



"Couple Song" cut:

A Blast To The Past (Part 7): Cpop

Gary Cao Ge (曹格) - 情人節快樂 (Happy Valentine's)
Year: 2006
From Album: 格格 Blue

Gary Cao is a Malaysian Chinese singer-songwriter. His R&B songs are really good! 'Happy Valentine's' is a slow-tempo R&B track with smooth and sensual vocals.

Composer: Gary Cao
Songwriter: 小色

Listen below:




Lyrics:

Chinese 
親愛的，我有好多話，已經想說很久了
可是我真的不知道怎麼開口...
就這樣吧！請妳聽聽我心裡的聲音

關上床邊電視機　終於能關掉世界的聲音
我說好嗎　晚點回去
多麼地不可思議
當我們眼神交集
混雜著前所未有的心悸
如果可以　我要擁抱妳
愛情太短促　天亮就結束幸福太清楚
但我握不住
不要哭　醒來還得面對這殘酷
收下這禮物　多少人羨慕
驕傲地宣佈　今晚不孤獨來跳舞
跳我們的舞Tonight　
我們都忘了回家的路
為妳獻上我　最完美的　一整套服務
不如這樣　快把簾子拉起來
假裝睡太晚　慢點再離開
不管怎樣　要妳記住這一晚
我為妳存在　Happy Valentine
把愛收進隔夜的行李　
請小心　不要破壞這記憶
戴上面具　各自離去
有一些話　說出來就成了謎我們都應該要懂這規矩
再見愛情　再見到妳

English translated:

My dear, I have so much to say, I've been wanting to say long ago
But I really don't know how to put it in words
Let it be this way! Please listen to the sound of my heart
Switching off the TV by my bed, I can finally shut off the sounds from the world
I say, is it ok to leave later
It's so unbelievable
When we look into each other's eyes
That feeling I've never had before
If it's ok, I want to embrace you
Love is too short, it ends when dawn breaks, happiness becomes so obvious
But I can't grasp it
Don't cry, we still have to face this cruelty when we wake up
Accept this gift, so many envy you
Proudly announce, tonight you're not alone, let's dance
Dance our dance, tonight
We both forgot our way home
For you, I give the perfect service
How about this, hurry draw the curtains
Pretend to oversleep, leave later
No matter what, I want you to remember this night
I exist for you, Happy Valentine
Pack this love into the luggage of this late night
Please be careful, don't ruin this memory
Put on our masks, go our separate ways
Some words, when said become riddles, we should understand this rule
When I see love again, I see you again


Chinese lyrics credit: chinese music blog
English translated credit: jctmusicnotes 

Album Review: Brian Joo – ‘Unveiled’ (mini-album)

Album release date: 2011
Genre: Kpop, R&B/pop/ballad
Rating: 3.5/5                
Review by: jct

Up to this point in his career, Korean-American R&B singer, Brian Joo has been best known for slow romantic ballads either as a solo artist or as a member of R&B duo, Fly To The Sky. But in his latest release, Unveiled, Brian branches out slightly and adds more up-tempo and mainstream materials to his usual mix of songs. Although the songs are more maintream, the results are still favorable.

More Mainstream

The album begins with a strong track, “눈물의 구성요소 (Components of a Tear)” which is a mid-tempo R&B/ballad with smooth vocals and nice piano and strings sounds about the pain from a past love as he sings, “Add a little salt and water, as it gets mixed in/Let it go out of my eyes, you’re the reason for my tears.” The title track, “사랑하다 끝났어 (Loved, It’s Over Now)”is a mid-tempo R&B/ballad about a broken heart, with smooth vocals but somewhat bland. The other tracks in the album ranging from up-tempo R&B/pop to mid-tempo R&B/ballad, are all nicely crafted.  Also, deserving mentioning are the English versions of the first two tracks, “Domino (눈물의 구성요소 English Ver.)", and “It's Over Now (사랑하다 끝났어 English Ver.)”. It’s important to note that although the track “Domino (눈물의 구성요소 English Ver.)” maintains the same melody/music as “눈물의 구성요소 (Components of a Tear)”, the context of the song is different. The song, “Domino (눈물의 구성요소 English Ver.)” is actually about falling deeply in love as he sings, “I’m falling into something real and I can’t stop myself/ I’m knocking over everything and you just caught me.”

There are a few drawbacks in this album, one of which is the vocals. It’s not that Brian doesn’t sound good on this album; his vocals are still intact and smooth. The main problem is that most of the songs on this album sound way too common and mainstream. Thus, his vocals sometimes lack the fire and passion. There are very few passionate moments, and most songs give off an overproduced feel to them. However, his attempt at updating his sound for a younger/more modern audience in this album is still quite good. To his credit, he still manages with ease in the up-tempo and mainstream music.  

The album has some slight drawbacks, but Brian’s attempt in updating and advancing his music is still a good effort and the results are favorable. Overall, Unveiled is recommended for those whoe enjoy R&B/pop/ballad.

Tracklist

1. 눈물의 구성요소 (Components of a Tear)
2. 사랑하다 끝났어 (Loved, It’s Over Now)
3. 나도 약속이 있었으면 좋겠다 (I Wish I Had A Promise)
4. 24
5. Song 4 U
6. Domino (눈물의 구성요소 English Ver.)
7. It's Over Now (사랑하다 끝났어 English Ver.)
8. 사랑하다 끝났어 (Instrumental) (Loved, It’s Over Now)

Musiq Soulchild - "Waiting Still" (2011)

It's a mid-tempo R&B/Soul song with great lyrics. It's a track from Musiq's latest album, "MusiqInTheMagiq", released on May 3, 2011.

Listen below:

Musiq Soulchild - 'Say I Do' (2011)

It's a mid-tempo R&B/Soul track with really sweet lyrics. It's a track from Musiq's latest album, "MusiqInTheMagiq", released on May 3, 2011.

Listen below:

New Music: Jasmin (쟈스민) - '봄이 (Spring)' (digital single) (2011)

Jasmin (쟈스민) is a Korean male R&B singer, debut this year (2011). He released his first single entitled "The First Single - 봄이" on May 3, 2011. The title track, "봄이 (Spring)", is a mid-tempo R&B/pop single with nice vocals.

Tracklist
1. 봄이 (Spring)


Listen below: