Oh Hello March. Time for Reposts! Presenting: The Koxx

Okay I'll admit it. I've failed to find anything new for the last four or five days? So you knew this was coming. Reposts!

Then again, you wouldn't even know this was a repost, since The Koxx was, let's see how far back was it....

Okay not too far. Still, a year is a long time. I say I bring them back since they've got some new stuff since the old post. Like this one:

Just to let you know if the English lyrics have masked their Asian-ness, The Koxx are a Korean indie-band (a bit of that hipster-indie in there). No wikipedia article of them exists so I shall skip the biography.

One thing I really like about them is their style. It's punchy, tangy, and my god it's unpredictable. Usually for most chord-based songs I can guess the progression, especially if it's in G. Here though, The Koxx just does whatever they want, seriously.

I have no idea where that beginning progression popped out from. It's all so, daring. That's a word I'd take if I only could dispense one word for it. Even after that, the chord progression sections are kind of in dissonance, but they work actually.

This one is a bit more calm compared to the above two, but my god is it atypical. Especially that bridge. You'll hear what I mean.

In terms of the lyrics, I like his English vocals actually better. His accents give a special tonal element to the singing. Tonal element, what ambiguousness is that eh. Never mind my rambling.

Here's one with a great message too.

Anyways I think I've stayed up enough. Here they are. Can't believe I'm posting K-indie stuff again since I vowed that I would try to make this blog a bit more diverse. Though I do understand why I used to fill this site with Korean stuff. Swear to Confucius, Koreans are some of the most musical Asians out there, including myself. Yes, shameless self complements. 

This was the dreaming jukebox, and is still the dreaming jukebox, and will still be the dreaming jukebox. I'm out for now. 

PEACE 

You Know I've Just Run Out of Ideas: Presenting Hanz Zimmer

Pretty much a dead give away that my music bank has run dry when I start giving movie soundtracks. What the hell though, I love them. Especially Hanz Zimmer. He gets musical soundtracks like Joe Hisaishi gets Ghibli. Don't worry I'll probably reboot that to give everyone a reminder.

Anyways, without further introductions, since they are overrated, here's the man who gave you the music of many epic films you ever enjoyed.

Most people think Elton John did the Lion King soundtrack. Please though, his music is more appropriate for the musical portions of the movie, not that I did not enjoy them. I actually love all of Lion King's music, but the instrumentals do get me, and they were done by none other than Hanz Zimmer. Moving on.

Okay now, whatever you say, Pearl Harbor was still a good movie in my opinion. I enjoyed it to the fullest damn it. Seriously, what more could you ask for than tons of explosions mixed in with cliched cheesy romance?

Even now, Tom Cruise was the best non-Asian Asian I've ever encountered in a movie. You think that doesn't make sense? It's Asianception, accept it you people. Speaking of which....

Great movie, but Hanz Zimmer's music made it even better. Hanz really has a knack for that low growling sound in the music, hard beats (without what the kids these days call beats, those crazy kids), and a really strong momentum that gives any movie an epic feel. Try going to the bathroom listening to the Inception soundtrack.

Lastly but not certainly not the least, the Dark Knight.

It is iconic. Now when people think of Batman, they will certainly have this soundtrack ringing in their minds. They better have Zimmer for the Superman vs Batman movie, or I swear I will execute a precious Stradivarius right in front of whatever orchestra they hire (this is such a music-nerd statement that you have to have been in an orchestra once in your life to get it).

Once again, speaking of which, he also did the Man of Steel soundtrack.

It is a sombre turn for Superman I'd say. However, I love what they did with Man of Steel. It portrayed Superman as more than just a hero. He was a Super'man', in that he was still an individual, a person who is trying to cope with having to adjust himself to a world he was not born into, and yet still so physically different, that he has to become detached from the society he longs to be within. This soundtrack perfectly captured that emotional conflict he had going on inside him, and it really put Superman in a more relatable light.

Anyways that's a little heavy isn't it? I do like the heaviness that Hanz's soundtrack brings sometimes. It really adds to the weight of a movie.

So I'll conclude for now here, and next time I'll probably do an overview of his video game soundtracks when I run out of stuff again (to my utter glee of course).

This was, not a movie review post, but still the Dreaming Jukebox. Have a good night you people.

Drop That Bass: Presenting Ron Carter

I've always adored that sound of the double bass. Deep tingling sounds, keeping pace with the rest of the instruments, sort of a rhythm maker. To me though, that sound that was always in the background, always stood out to me the most. I think that's why I like jazz a lot. It's that prominence of the bass that gets articulated in jazz unlike in an orchestra.

Am I trying to be too sophisticated? Well yes I am. Trying to shake my boorishness off. Welcome to my blog my pretties.

So here's Ron Carter, a double bassist now in his 70s. Man of style, and class, and most of all, music.

I've just never heard a double bass being played like that. It's so novel, it's so fluid, and it's just simply magical how it all fits in perfectly. Plus his beard is quite one of the most fantastic collections of facial hairs I've ever seen in my life. That's not due to my being Asian and not being to grow one of course. I just really envy people who can grow beards.

In that one, not only is Ron Carter amazing, but everyone else is. The thing about Jazz is that not one in a band would lack skills for simply playing on. I've tried jazz it's not something that everyone could do. I'm not saying that it wasn't my incompetence, probably, but gosh jazz musicians have that extra 'kick' in them.

This next one sounds more like be-bop, almost comical, sort of like something that Al di Meola would play. Just shows his flexibility.

But then, it's always good to have good 'ol jazzy jazz. Yes I have no clue how to differentiate between different types of jazz, so please, hold your comments on my lack of knowledge. I know already dammit.

And this one that really reminds me sweet days of watching Disney movies.

Anyways, I hope that I enriched your musical horizons. Mine certainly has been. Like I said, I'm as much as in an exploratory position as you are. Let's hop off the musical safari jeep though, camp out, and wait for the next ride to begin. Until then, enjoy Mr. Carter, I know I will be. Ciao!

Sometimes I feel lazy: Presenting Jose Gonzalez

So I simply don't search, but just present stuff that isn't 'new'. Now before you start howling at me like a monkey given a rotten banana, just tell yourself, do you know who Jose Gonzalez is? By the look of you throwing the rotten banana splat back at my face I'm assuming you do know him. If not, then shove the banana in your mouth.

The first time I ever got acquainted with Jose Gonzalez was back in 2006, when I was into watching machinimas. Don't ask me what that is, look it up man. In this blog, only I have the right to be lazy. Anyways, I was watching this battlefield 2 machinima and Jose Gonzalez's version of 'Heartbeats' was on.

Instantly fell in love.

I looked him up, then found more of his music, all equally enchanting. This man is quite the master of the guitar. His vocals are simple, but god they can't be more right.

There's nothing dishonest about it really. He doesn't try anything fancy with his voice, neither does he put in unnecessary amount of instrumentals, let alone any sort of electronic sounds, even a synth. I love some great simple instrumentals, something that draws me to piano virtuosos as well. In this case, Mr. Gonzalez is truly a virtuoso.

And did you know, he was featured in the soundtrack for the Rockstar game, Red Dead Redemption? With this one:

Just simply amazing. His new music only gets better and better. This one was from the film, the Secret Life of Walter Mitty.

There's something about Mr. Gonzalez that doesn't hide anything. He shows his music as it is, if you get what I mean. Well, that's how I feel it, but I really do get that these songs sound, and come to me much more personally than any other guitar/lyric song that I've heard in my lifetime. Maybe save for other few artists I might feature here because I got lazy again, and some that I'll discover later, who knows. What I do know though, is that Mr. Gonzalez is a talented man, with a great career ahead of him. If you didn't know him, no shame on you, since that's my job, to keep you all informed of what's good out there. Albeit what I think is good. I shall be indoctrinating you into my musical empire.

This was the jukebox, always attempting to brainwash you. Cheers!

Lisztomania, I'm feeling it: Presenting Franz Liszt

Okay, I know. Franz Liszt has been dead for more than a hundred years. Then again, if you don't like it get your own damn jukebox. Don't you try to change the channel on my private property.

Anyways, Lisztomania, defined by the wise god of wikipedia, was 'the intense fan frenzy directed toward Franz Liszt during his performances', characterized by 'intense levels of hysteria demonstrated by fans, akin to the treatment of celebrity musicians today, but in a time not known for such musical hysterics'. Quoting is a great way to feed laziness by the way. 

So yes, I'm feeling Lisztomania, because you have no idea how brilliant this guy was. The technique his pieces displayed, the sheer skill level he presented on his compositions. 

This one is quite famous: La Campanella. 

Yes, I'm already throwing my panties at the stage right now. Just awe-inspiring. I do say I play the piano, but this is a level that I haven't ascended to yet. I mean, this puts pretty much everyone who came before him to shame, save for Ravel or something. Even Beethoven's pieces (mind you he is my favourite) pale in the face of such wondrous technical brilliance. 

Just listen to this one. 

Gosh! My piano playing was for nothing! It was all for nothing! Why was I even taught how to play it if I was only going to feel shame in the face of these awesome pieces? Why! Why!  

Not only is Krystian Zimerman a bulldozer of a pianist, but here he is just a shining beacon. 

Okay, but let's turn the heat down a bit this one. I think my Lisztomania is actually making me maniacal. 

In any case, Franz Liszt was a genius. A Hungarian pianist from the 19th century, he was known as the most technically advanced pianist of his age, so no wonder he was able to produce such virtuosic gems such as the ones I've presented here. I know. It's a bit strange, not really in the realm of anything conventional but hey, this blog is anything but conventional. So take it or leave it. I mean, you should know Liszt, since they even made a song about Lisztomania. So this was a educational experience for you all then. Thank me later. 

This was the Dreaming Jukebox, and I'll be constantly throwing rainbow in your face. 

Good Things Come in Threes (Presenting Morelenbaum2/Sakamoto Trio)

That statement right there was for my crew in London right now. You know who you are. Us three musketeers, although I going to presume only 'one' (only you will get it, 'one') of you read this blog so please let the other person know.

In other news, the Morelenbaum2/Sakamoto Trio comes in threes. I mean, it's in the damn name so if you could not guess that go cry in the corner. Kidding. I would never want to put anybody in the corner. I've been to the corner and trust me, it's not a pretty place. 

Back to what I was saying, to introduce, Jacques and Paula Morelenbaum are a Brazilian husband and wife duo. Jacques does many things like composing and producing, but in this context he is the cellist. Paula is the singer. Ryuichi Sakamoto is a Japanese pianist (Yes, I admit it, I have a weird musical fetish with Japanese musicians! Now please! Stop pointing fingers at me!) who is quite known around the world for his solo work, including composition and production as well, just like Jacques. All three of them are very accomplished professional artists. So this is quite the combo here. A dangerously fabulous chemical mix of three great musicians. The genre is like, jazz/contemporary classical. Anyways I'm wasting words. Music on please! 

So great. Paula's voice is perfect for the ambiance set by the music. Kind of makes me sit back and really enjoy this spaghetti I'm eating. I've been eating spaghetti for the past week. Why? Well these damn jars of sauce were on sale, and so were these spaghettis, so I bought a whole bundle. That's what you do when you're a student, and well goddamn I'm ready to try anything if something will make this spaghetti taste better. Fortunately I think the music is helping. 

If there was a purest form of mood, like, good mood, then this would be it. I don't even, let me just quietly eat my dinner in peace. Please. I just want to listen. I'm new to this as much as you are. 

Why is Paula's voice so perfect? Why is everything about this so refined, and just, pure beauty? Why? Why? WHYYYYYYYYYYY

Too bad though, the last time these guys released an album as an ensemble was 2003. So I'm going to assume that they don't tour anymore. I'd like to buy the album though, because this is just one of those rare bands that you need to have a physical copy of. 

Lastly, a shout out to my friend Kotaro, once again, whose deep taste in music has brought the sincerest pleasure of discovering this wonderful band. Yo KoKo, I know you're reading this. Arigato, and may you do whatever you dream to do. This is the dreaming jukebox after all. 

What's With Japanese Guitarists Being So Good?: Presenting Kotaro Oshio

Or what's with me being such an Orientophile when it comes to music? Hello, my name is Alex the menace and today we have Kotaro Oshio as the feature of this corner of the world wide web where you literally get random music (GOOD music, I tell you), selected by a random Asian guy.

In any case, let's get started. So I was talking to a friend, whose name is coincidentally Kotaro, and he literally just blurted this guy out. Like a typical music junkie who needs constant injections of syringes full of new music, I searched and came upon this:

Pretty nice and calm huh? There's no lack of technical dexterity with this guy though. I'm not going to go into explaining his bio because, honestly a musician speaks with his music, ergo, I justify my laziness again. But seriously though, I do enough don't you think?

Moving on, here's one that sounds more like Depapepe

What a nice smile. I can swim in that, like, swim in his mouth or something as he smiles. That sounded weird but I'm not going to edit that, since I never edit anything here. This blog is about honesty and showing my deepest fetishes. In any case, that piece just demonstrates his superior technical dominance on the guitar fabulously. He literally employs everything possible that comes with steel string acoustic guitar playing. Gives a nice pace and a hooky melody line too.

He's quite popular with Koreans too I think. So much that the title of this next song has been translated into Korean on Youtube. Well, anyone could have done that but yeah, Koreans are great, and I'm not speaking under any bias. Shoot me if you don't believe me.

Just in case you were curious that song was called, 'that summer's white clouds'.

A couple more because I'm a bit running out of steam trying to type.

Gosh, another reason for me to keep coming back to this blog with my earphones on. Yes, I primarily upload on this blog for my own pleasure, but that should be a good news for you too! That's basically a guarantee on quality control, since why would I love to throw shit into my own ears? That's why next post will be on Nicki Minaj.

Just kidding, if no one gets humour among you that is. Or maybe I'm just bad at telling jokes. This was Alex, and for those who are getting on the subway in time with the London Underground's strike, better hurry your ass up in the morning, like this guy.

Since Robocop got rebooted, I'm rebooting stuff too: 'Re'presenting Depapepe

Actually the real reason is, fucking Sony took down all the videos I had attached to the post about Depapepe before this one, and because I discovered some new stuff from the duo lately. Thanks Sony, as if your film company's rehashing films over and over again isn't enough. Fortunately, Depapepe never get's old though.

So for those who haven't seen the old post yet, they are an acoustic guitar duo from Japan. Their style usually goes: one guy plays the chords, and the other plays the melody. Then they alternate. Check it out for yourself, this one is called Ripple.

So smooth, and so crisp. I used to cover these guys with a friend and believe me, it was damn hard to coordinate two guitars, especially the way they did it.

Here's a live clip of them.

Aside from the melody and all that, the fullness of their sound really gets me. It rings, but just enough so that it fills up the sound space when you listen to it. They're just two guitars, but it sounds like an entire ensemble of instruments playing altogether. Like this one.

Just, great, stuff. I'm not even going to waste words on it anymore.

Well okay I think that's enough for today. I think you get the point, that these guys are damn amazing.  And Sony, if you're reading this, I dare you, I double dare you to block me again. Man I'll be beating you at rebooting so much that you'll have to hire me. Motherfuckers. 

As for you my listeners. Thank you for being patient through my vulgar language and lack of explanations, which is another way to spell my laziness. This was the Dreaming Jukebox, peace out. 

Sometimes Digging Through Youtube Gets Tiring (Presenting Eddie Higgins Trio)

So that's why I take recommendations and plaster it on this blog. A good friend of mine let me in on a band called the Eddie Higgins Trio. Eddie Higgins was an American jazz pianist, recently passed away in 2009 at the age of 77. Obviously, if you want to be bored with the biography, be my guest. I'd rather jump into the music. Here's one that strangely sounds familiar.

Bits of classical piano in the middle here and there. It's probably likely that he was classically trained. Most professional pianists, regardless of genre they end up in, do start with classics. That's why they're called classics mind you.

Anyways, this guy Eddie Higgins is definitely quite the jazz pianist, very elegant and versatile. I just wonder why I haven't discovered him yet. Hats off to my friend whose initials go SMO. That might be a new nickname. High five Smo.

Let's continue shall we?

So good. My hands can't keep still because they want to dance along to the tune. Let's pop up another one. I want to go on turbo mode with this.

So, damn, smooth. Like a good glass of whiskey accompanied by a cigar. Not that I'm a particular enthusiast of either, but I do enjoy them from time to time, and it just paints the scene perfectly with this sort of music. I really need to seek out a jazz bar.

Here's one with his band as a quartet with Scott Hamilton, a jazz tenor saxophonist.

The sax is just so right in here. I almost clapped at my laptop before looking like an idiotic seal to my cup of tea here.

Here you go though. Any of you planning a chill night, include this guy in your playlist won't you? Or a romantic evening with a lady (or a gentleman) and you just don't want to sit there without saying anything, you can always turn this on, mood it up, and recite the wikipedia article on Eddie Higgins from top to bottom to show off your superior jazz knowledge. Unless he or she's an actual jazz musician and bounces your brain, in which case I'd say: tough luck chap/darling.

Now here's the hour video of the Trio's bebop-y sounding, A Portrait In Black and White, the full album. I hope you enjoyed today's selection. My name is Alex, and I'm getting arrested for eating a succulent Chinese meal.

I'd Like One Order of Relaxing Sunday Please. (Presenting, Haruka Nakamura)

Just a relaxing Sunday, but then there's the Superbowl of course. Some made up American holiday called Superbowl Sunday, where there's copious amount of junk food, alcohol, loud shouting, getting angry at an inanimate object (the TV will never talk back at you no matter how much you scream at it), and somehow, just somehow, getting a dose of adrenaline out of watching people try to deliver a ball to the other side. I usually try to actively avoid this tradition as it actually goes against my ideals of what a Sunday should be. I'm not talking about church. I'm talking about just sitting and relaxing while feeling your thoughts floating out of their sockets.

So it was fortunate that I ran into Haruka Nakamura's music, since his tone and style totally matches the kind of Sunday I'm striving for. He seems to be a pianist and composer. His website is actually a very minimalist set up so I can't tell you much about him. Time for the music to speak instead!

Fantastic. Just what I could just melt into. Sunday music all the way. Dissolves all that enraged shouting of the football-crazed (mind you though most of them are probably a football fan for this one day) fanatics. I want another one.

In words of Thor: ANOTHER!

Getting a bit too comfortable in my chair here I think. The Japanese composer-producers do have something that others don't have. I mean, Nujabes, Uyama Hiroto, and probably the countless rest I haven't discovered, all have that special factor that European or North American counterparts don't have. That art of subtlety. Or maybe because Haruka Nakamura is under the same label as Uyama Hiroto, Hydeout Productions which was founded by Nujabes.

To listen to that hint of Nujabes influence, here's one.

Definitely hear it right? There's that Nujabes tone, which is also in Uyama Hiroto. Anyways there are also these hour long clips of these on Youtube, so feel free to turn one of them up for a good study session or something.

My name is Alex, and today was a Sunday. Just a Sunday, a good relaxing Sunday.

P.S. Here's one of those hour long clips for you (gets a bit too repetitive by the middle of it but gosh it's a cool tune):