Mint Condition - 'Caught My Eye' (2011)

Mint Condition is a underrated 5-member R&B/Soul group from the 90's. They are celebrating their 20th anniversary since debut this year with the release of a studio album in April. The first single, "Caught My Eye"is a mid-tempo R&B song with great vocals!

Listen below:

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

Yoon Jong Shin released his February monthly single titled "2011 月刊 尹鍾信 February" on January 31, 2011. The title track, "바바바 (부제: 화해송) (Feat. 이상순) [BaBaBa (Part II: Reconciliation Song) Feat. Lee Sang Soon]" is a slow-tempo Bossa Nova/Jazz song with a very nice melody and great vocals. The song is sung by Yoon Jong Shin, and Lee Sang Soon plays the guitar. *Updated 11/02/01*

So far, the 2 monthly singles released (Jan & Feb) has a Jazz component, which is great because it sounds nice with his vocals, and I like R&B/Jazz too. His earlier albums (eg. Vol. 3) has more Jazz/pop/R&B ballads actually.

Tracklist:
1. 바바바 (부제: 화해송) (Feat. 이상순) [BaBaBa (Part II: Reconciliation Song)feat. Lee Sang Soon]


Listen below:

Yoon Jong Shin - Yoo Hee Yeol's Sketchbook Performances 11/01/14

Yoon Jong Shin performed the following songs on Sketchbook:
"Temperature of Separation"
"Walking Man"
"Instinctively"

Great performances, especially "Walking Man" with the impressive ad-libs!

Watch "Walking man" performance below:

Album Review: SeungRi – ‘VVIP’ (Mini-album)

Album release date: 2011
Genre: Kpop, R&B/pop
Rating: 3/5                   
Review by: jct

SeungRi, a member of the Korean male group, Big Bang, had a big hit in 2009 with his solo track, “Strong Baby”. On Jan. 20, 2011, he returns with his first mini-album titled VVIP. VVIP is by no means a masterpiece – his vocal style and range are limited and somewhat two-dimensional, and his subject matter is almost completely unoriginal – but despite that, the album has a certain amount of charm, and style that SeungRi’s target audience will certainly be able to appreciate.

Solo Star  

SeungRi’s music style seems to be influenced greatly by Justin Timberlake, as seen with “Strong Baby”, and it is further carried into this album. Imitation is a form of flattery, as long as it is not overdone, which he doesn’t. The JT influence is most obvious in the album’s first single, “VVIP”, which is a up-tempo R&B/pop song where he gets a chance to show his cocky and playful side as he sings, “I’m so hot of the five guys lately/ All are fascinated /They say I’m really great/ Even if we don’t say it/ Say I’m really great.”

The second single, “What Do You Want Me To Do Now” is a mid-tempo pop song about a broken heart as he sings, ”What am I supposed to do?/ I gave you everything that I had and laid it down before you/ The only thing I have left is you/ Don’t avoid me anymore/ I’m break it down down down.”  Some notable tracks in this album include “Open the Window” feat. G-Dragon, and “Outro (In My World)”.

There are a few shortcomings in this album, one of which is the lyrics. The lyrics are quite unoriginal, and it is neither complex nor mentally stimulating. Most of the songs are clichéd tales of love, and doesn’t put a new spin on old topics such as the girl-you-are-so-fine-let’s-hook-up track “Magic”, and the since-you-left-me-I’m-falling-apart track “What Do You Want Me To Do Now”. And although the album’s not completely devoid of substance, the substance it does contain is shallow and surface-deep. Despite SeungRi wrote the lyrics and co-composed nearly all the songs, the results are not too spectacular. Nevertheless, it is still a good attempt for his first mini-album.

In addition, his vocals are quite mediocre, and not that distinctive. However, his vocals are at its best in slow to mid-tempo love ballads compare to up-tempo songs. An example is “Outro (In My World)”, which is one of the better songs in the album. The album also has the right number of guest appearances; however, not all are great. G-Dragon’s parts certainly complement well and do not overwhelm SeungRi’s vocals. Unfortunately that can’t be said about the song with IU. One thing about guest singers is that they are there to support the main vocalist and not to hinder or overwhelm them, no matter how strong or not the guest’s vocals are. In the song, “I Know”, IU’s vocals does not complement well with SeungRi’s vocals, and in some parts, she stands out more. That said, the song isn’t entirely bad, as she doesn’t completely hinders SeungRi’s vocals, but it’s easily a forgettable song.

The album certainly has some obvious shortcomings. However, overall the album isn’t bad as SeungRi plays his role well and manages to come across as a solo star.

Tracklist

1. VVIP
2. 어쩌라고  (What Do You Want Me To Do)
3. 창문을 열어  feat. G-Dragon (Open the Window)
4. Magic
5. I Know feat. IU
6. White Love
7. Outro (In My World)

[Update]: Z-Chen & Fish Leong - '一家一 (One plus One)' (2010) MV

I previously posted about this song (Note # 12), and the MV was released recently (Jan 2011). I really like it! It's very sweet!

Watch it below:






Extra: Z-Chen performed "凌晨三點鐘 (3 am)" live on the show, 康熙來了, on Dec. 22, 2010. I really like his live performances

Khalil Fong - ' 玩樂 (Play)' (2009)

Just catching up on some Khalil Fong's music. This song was released in late 2009 for a Nokia commercial. It's a mid-tempo R&B/Soul song that he composed and produced.


Listen below:

New Music: Standing Egg (스탠딩에그) - 'Have You Ever Been In Love with Ra.D (Acoustic Ver)' (digital single)

A new song with Ra.D!!

Anyways, Standing Egg (스탠딩에그) is a Korean indie group consisting of composers, and they recently release a digital single called "사랑에 빠져본 적 있나요 with Ra.D (Acoustic Ver) (Have You Ever Been In Love)" on Jan. 17, 2011. It's a mid-tempo Soul song, and it sounds really nice!

Tracklist:

1. 사랑에 빠져본 적 있나요 with Ra.D (Acoustic Ver.)
2. 사랑한다는 말 (inst.)

Listen below: