Lady Scats The Rain

I have no idea what Seattle rain is like, but Ella’s scatting over Joe Pass’s simple picking guitar tells it all. When it rains it brings back “That Old Feeling,” and that old feeling ain’t “Nothing But The Blues.” But don’t be too sentimental, you can still do the “Samba” while it rains. Oh Lord, Ella’s scat singing is killing me with her harmomic and rhythmic sensibilities. You’re the fucking man, TTBlue. Thanks for sharing these four delightful tracks from Again.

Purple-Haze Evening

Wow! HmL pours his soul out on “Chieu Tim.” Not bad big brother, not bad at all. Dig that little swing you guys got going on there. This is definitely “pure” stuff. I am getting mad high myself.

Hip-Hop: Under Fire

A three-part series, takes a closer look at one of the most popular music genres in the world. In the aftermath of the Don Imus controversy, the public’s focus has shifted to offensive lyrics in hip-hop and its impact. On Tell Me More, listen to conversations with industry insiders and some of the largest consumers — to ask the question, is it time for the music to change? -NPR

MC Lyte’s take on hip-hop
Music Video Models’ point of views
Christa Bell’s slam poetry performance

Kenneth Eng Gets Nuttier

I’ve been following Eng’s racial issues ever since he wrote a column in AsianWeek entitled “Why I Hate Blacks.” After reading “Sharing in the Gory” and listening to his remark on the VT massacre, I think this motherfucker needs some serious counseling.

Thuy Tien – Xin Cho Toi

Damn, another Thuy Tien? Damn, another Trinh Cong Son album? Damn, another Xin Cho Toi? Despite her name has already been taken by two young popular singers, her album concept has already been recorded by numerous singers, and her album title has already been used by Cam Van, Thuy Tien brings a sweet sensation to Trinh’s music.

Like most Vietnamese singers, Thuy Tien doesn’t dare to ruffle Trinh’s compositions. She sings them the way they were written. What makes her performances stand out, however, is her so-beautiful-it-hurts voice. On the title track she soars like a dove with a broken wing begging for peace over a fine and mellow keyboard companion. On “Mot Lan Thoang Co” her vocals float like chill wind around the cascading piano ostinato. The rhythm section also added a subtle mysteriousness into the tune. The best part is on the break where the violin saws along her vocalization creating an enticing effect.

While her delivery on “Doi Cho Ta The” is free and effortless weaving in and out of the fun strumming guitar and lively plucking bass, she performs “Hay Cu Vui Nhu Moi Ngay” as if she is forcing herself to enjoy life. Her stilted flow comes across as if it is still raining inside even though the sun has shined. The album offers no novelty, but rather another fresh voice on Trinh’s work.

Ho Anthem

Even with the recent controversy on hip-hop language, I doubt that the word ho will be banned from rap music, but just incase it does, let’s enjoy Ludacris’ “Ho” before the word gets dropped for good. Although the lyrical content is impossible to defend (and I am not trying to defend it), the wordplay is so damn hilarious:

Can’t turn a ho into a housewife
Hoes don’t act right
It’s hoes on a mission, and it’s hoes on a crackpipe
Hey ho how ya doin’, where ya been?
Prolly doin’ ho stuff cuz there you ho again
It’s a ho wide world that we livin’ in.

Dress Up Games

At I-Dressup, you could drag and drop dresses onto a model who wears nothing but bra and panties. It’s pretty neat. Check out the Gucci spring 2007 collection.

I put hoes in NY onto DKNY
Miami, D.C. prefer Versace
All Philly hoes, dough and Moschino
Every cutie wit a booty bought a Gucci
-Biggie

Kim Anh on VOA

A retrospect on Kim Anh’s life as a crack fiend and a singer produced by Truong Ky (part 1, part 2). His comment on her recent returning to Asia’s stage as more mature is rather ironic. Sure, she looks real mature for a Barbie. Still dig her crack-saturated voice though.