Tuan Ngoc’s Huong Toc Em is a rare collection distributed by Tektronic Music, a production I have never heard of. I have no clue when the album released but the musical arrangements are nicely engineered. The album features ten original hits from songwriters/composers such as Bao Truong, Nguyen Tat Vinh, Hoang Viet, and Truong Phu Hau, who works are unfamiliar to me.

An album like Huong Toc Em certifies that Tuan Ngoc is still one of the best Vietnamese singers. He takes on dissimilar and unpopular songs that are not too many artists have the confidence to perform. Yet, he’s still able to captivate the listeners with his robust, suave, and smooth styles. His expert treatments on Bao Truong’s romantic despairs “Tren Nhanh Rong Tinh” and “Mach Suoi Nguon” alone demonstrated his astonishing talents. “Huong Toc Em,” “Toi Yeu Em Nghiet Nga,” “Doan Tinh” and the rest of the tracks are what you would expect from Tuan Ngoc.

Unlike other albums where you can tell whether it is good or best after listening to it for the first time, Huong Toc May, as well as other albums by Tuan Ngoc, doesn’t hit you right away. You might need to give it at least five times to sink in. It takes me at least ten listens to feel its vibe. If you’re not used to Tuan Ngoc’s style, chances are you won’t like this album. If you appreciate his signature songs, you’ll be grateful for possessing it.

While reading Classic Material: The Hip-Hop Album Guide, I am tempting to collect every Hip-Hop album reviewed in the book. Oliver Wang and his contributors have done an extraordinary job of tapping into the movement of Hip-Hop by giving us constructed criticism of albums that had changed the game or taken rap music into another level.

Incase you haven’t noticed, I’ve added a set of GUIs called Typefaces and I also set it to be the default style. The visualgui.com types are refined from serif to sans serif with more colors to match each set of GUIs.

The “Top Ten” and “Rants” catagories have been dropped and moved to “Everything Else.”

Hong Nhung’s outstanding performance on Trinh Cong Son’s “Roi Nhu Da Ngay Ngo.” This is by far the most engaging version I have heard. The beat is just “off the hook.”

Diggin’ the handsome 3D legos navigation on Vassar’s Cognitive Science site. Great job Chris.

Niebaum-Coppola Estate Winery is just inspiring with beautiful photos, elegant design, and importantly, jaw-dropping navigation.

A resume with a personal touch from Manon Carrie. Shoot! I’ll hire her any time.

In order for Bun Tom, Cha Gio, Nem Nuong to taste good, nuoc mam ot (fish sauce mixed with lime, hot peppers, garlic and sugar) has to be well blended. Westerners should try the mixed version first before they try the straight one. I know nuoc mam stinks but if used properly -with a light touch- it can increase the depth of flavor for almost any heavy dish. I’ve read that some American chefs have used nuoc mam sparingly on their spaghetti sauce, chili, pot roast and even macaroni and cheese. Usually American foods are kind of plain so nuoc mam will definitely boost up the flavor.

Back to Bun Tom, Cha Gio, Nem Nuong, my favorite meat is Nem Nuong (the red sausage) and of course the mixed fresh vegatables. Although this is not a dish I crave for everyday, it’s nice to have once in a while.

When putting Jay-Z and R. Kelly together, you get the best of both worlds but I am not talking about Hip-Hop and R&B here. Featuring on Cu Tuong Con Trong Tay / Bac Tinh are two of the most famous Vietnamese singers with two completely different styles. While Tuan Ngoc is popular for ballads, Che Linh is well known for music on war and “Nhac Tru Tinh.” Van Son production probably try to kill two birds with one stone on this album but the outcome isn’t what they have expected.

I must admit, Van Son production are clever when they set the “Lien Khuc” with Che Linh and Tuan Ngoc switch styles. Both do a convincing performance but to go as far as creating an album together is a big mistake. Che Linh style doesn’t fit Ngo Thuy Mien’s “Rieng Mot Goc Troi,” “Ban Tinh Cuoi,” and “Dau Tinh Sau.” He couldn’t even pull off Truong Sa’s “Xin Con Goi Ten Nhau.” These songs suit more for Tuan Ngoc’s techniques. “Cu Tuong Con Trong Tay” is the only song Che Linh gives a flawless performance because it fits him perfectly.

Fortunately, Tuan Ngoc does not switch styles on his part. Once again his amazing vocals have applied on Huynh Nhat Tan’s “Bac Tinh,” “Hon Doi,” and “Ngo Ngang.” I just love the way he starts off “Bac Tinh” with confident and power. The band also does a fantastic job of captivating the beauty of the song. On “Hon Doi,” he goes sentimental and his skillful manipulation on “Hon doi, thoi em dung hon doi…” is soothing and mesmerizing. “Ngo Ngang” is equally enchanting as well. Although “Linh Hon Tuong Da” is well done by Tuan Ngoc, the song is more suitable for Che Linh. I guess Tuan Ngoc is switching his style on this one.

Van Son production should have produced two separate albums for Tuan Ngoc and Che Linh instead of grouping them together. They would have made more sells that way. Before even purchasing the album, I was debating whether to get it or not since I could predict it is an uneven album. Not that I am disrespecting Che Linh but these songs aren’t his strongest effort. Even though I expect far more, I still glad I copped the album. Tuan Ngoc’s part alone is worth the price of the CD.

As a kid, I used to gag every time mom shoved Canh Kho Qua down my throat. I was too young to appriecate the bitterness of life -I mean Kho Qua- but now I couldn’t resist that wonderful tang. Canh Kho Qua is not only delectable to eat but good for your health as well. If you have diabetes, Canh Kho Qua would be great for you. When you’re eating too much hot and oily stuff, Canh Kho Qua will cool down your body system. It’s a great soup to add to your daily meals.

Speaking of Kho Qua, does anyone know where the name came from? It’s a very interesting name. I always thought kho means miserable which refers to the bitterness of the melon. Qua means done or over. So if you eat Canh Kho Qua, you won’t be miserable anymore. Right?

The shining star, my shining star Phuong Thuy. Check out her live performances on “Corazon De Melao” and “Mei Fei Se Wu.” Isn’t she blazin’ or what? Keep shakin’ your thang, girl.

Unlike today’s ActionScript hardcore programming, Post Visual uses Flash as a motion tool to deliver their messages and the result is aesthetically beautiful. Check out both The Scandal and The Uninvited to see why they are the Interactive Annual 10 Winners from Communication Arts.

“Nho Mua Thu Ha Noi,” a mesmerizing performance by Hong Nhung. Damn! I miss Vietnam so much.

Another savory dish from uncle 9, Bun Nuoc Leo has a fine depth of flavor from the rich and heavy fermented fish. Obviously, the key element is nuoc leo (broth); therefore, if the broth is too light, too salty, or too smelly, everything will fall apart. As good as uncle 9, of course, his broth is wonderful. It’s delicate, rich, and flavorsome. Bun Nuoc Leo is another delicious vermicelli dish next to Bun Kien Giang and Bun Mam. Even though all three dishes have some sort of Mam, each has a unique flavor of its own. As someone who enjoys exceptional foods, I find all three dishes to be enjoyable.

What are GUI styles?
Click on the links (Dragons, Fruits, Ladies, Tributes) to the right and find out.

Why don’t the graphics associate with the GUIs?
No reason.

Don’t the Dragons look familiar?
Yes! Inspired from Chinese artists in Chinatown.

What do the Ladies have to do with the navigation?
Nothing. Just experimenting with vector graphics.

What do the Fruits have to do with the navigation?
Nothing. Just needed something fresh.

Who are those people on the Tributes GUIs?
Ngoc Lan – One of the greatest Vietnamese singer.
Notorious BIG – One of the greatest rapper.
Alfred Hitchcock – One of the greatest filmmaker.
Trinh Cong Son – One of the greatest Vietnamese songwriter.
2pac Shakur – My all time favorite rapper. Pac was the realist.