Ao Trang 2011 Calendar is now available on its new web site. The new HTML site is much better than the previous Flash version. Congrats to the AT’s staff.

Hot rice with Cava’s Harissa has been my favorite lunch whenever I don’t feel like packing meat. The spicy, tangy table condiment made of tomatoes and peppers is like the Greek version of Vietnamese fermented tofu. Thanks to Dana for introducing to me such a killer dip.

Nicki Minaj’s debut, Pink Friday, opens with the impressive “I’m The Best.” Then she proves to be a bitch of a rapper immediately on the second track, “Roman’s Revenge,” in which she rhymes like dungeon dragon matching Slim Shady flow by flow. On the third track,”Did It On ‘Em,” she continues to grind hard: “All these bitches is my sons / and I’ma go and get some bibs for ’em / a couple formulas, little pretty lids on ’em / If i had a dick, I would pull it out and piss on ’em.” Unfortunately, the album turns toward mainstream radio like the Rihanna-assisted “Fly” and heads straight to the club with the support of Auto-Tune and Will.i.am on “Check It Out.” With her rhyming skill and swag, she could have been the best female rapper in the game if she didn’t go pop.

Tierney Sutton’s concert at the 20th Annual Rosslyn Jazz Festival could be viewed in full on YouTube.

You might already noticed, I have been writing short reviews for albums that I really enjoyed. These albums will make great holiday gifts. I have a few more to listen to so more blurbs to come.

NPR lists its Top 10 Jazz Albums Of 2010.

With Never Stop, The Bad Plus, which made up of bassist Reid Anderson, pianist Ethan Iverson, and drummer David King, proves that the trio can write its own tunes just as well as reinterpreting others. “The Radio Tower Has a Beating Heart” opens the album with an invigorating jazz-classical improvisation that is filled with harmonic intensity and complexity. The title track, however, takes a different turn toward pop. The melody is catchy as hell even without a hook to rely on. Over Iverson’s and King’s the big, groovy beat, Anderson plays some infectious ostinatos reminiscing of Thelonious Monk. The slow pieces, “People Like You” and “Bill Hickman at Home,” find the trio digs deep into their compositions, creativities and souls. The brief “Super America” joyfully closes out the album, yet one would hope that the record would never stop.

Also worth watching: The Bad Plus at the Rosslyn Jazz Festival 2010.

In its new release, Rubber Soulive, the funkified trio, which made up of organist Neal Evans, drummer Alan Evans and guitarist Eric Krasno, gives the Beatles’ tunes a fresh soul-jazz makeover. All songs are short and instantly recognizable. The group strips down the sound and keeps the melody intact. On “Something,” Krasno literally sings the lyrics with his soulful guitar. While “Drive My Car” gets a funk-up groove, “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)” gets a rock, bluesy vibe. Rubber Soulive is a tasteful treatment of the Beatles’ classics.

A customer purchased a very special piece on Simplexpression for her co-worker. She wrote, “This will bring out her beautiful green eyes. She’s gone through a lot lately so I want to give her something nice to cheer her up.” I thought that is one of the most thoughtful things a friend could do for a friend. I admit I don’t know much about necklaces, but something the lotus flower and the green jade bring peace and tranquillity. I do hope that Dana’s work would lightened someone’s spirit, especially during the difficult time.

By the way, the customer was experiencing some issue with PayPal. Her transaction didn’t go through. I tested it out by purchasing my own product and it worked. If you’re buy something and the transaction doesn’t go through, please let us know.

Nguyen Khang is married to Lam Bao Nhu. I haven’t heard of her yet, but she’s beautiful. Congrats, man. Tell her that she is married to you, but I am still married to your voice.

Last Saturday evening, Eric wanted to go to McDonald’s. When I told him no, he responded, “If you don’t take me to McDonald’s, you’re not my uncle.” I was totally shocked. Can you believe this? My little nephew would severe off all ties with me over McDonald’s. I didn’t know if I should cry or laugh, but one thing I know for sure: Dao will be kept away from McDonald’s as much as possible. I don’t want to hear, “You’re not my daddy if you don’t take me to McDonald’s.”

To capture the true essence of flamenco, renowned bassist Dave Holland who accompanied Miles Davis in his electric period knows that he needs to get inside the music. In learning from and collaborating with guitarist Pepe Habichuela, the master of the flamenco, Holland accomplished his mission: bringing his own voice to the music but with a deeper understanding of the flamenco’s language. Hands is a result of Holland’s appreciation for the music and the mutual respect between Holland and Habichuela.

“Bailaor (Seguiriya Cabal),” the longest and most captivating piece on the album, showcases Holland’s profound rhythmic and melodic sensibility and Habichuela’s effortless, expressive techniques that one can tell the man lives and breathes the flamenco. The intensity and connectivity in the way the two men complement each other on “Camaron (Taranta)” sound as if two Gypsies were in the house. Aside from Holland’s tuneful Latin-jazz flavors (“The Whirling Dervish” and “Joyride”), which accompanied by the Carmona clan, the eight masterpieces written by Habichuela are pure traditional flamenco masterpieces.