Alert - Stolen Bass Guitar

click on pix to enlarge

Frigglive is issuing an All Points Bulletin (APB) on a Musicman 5 string Stingray Bass which belongs to our brother Jingles. His career has spanned the musical spectrum – singer, songwriter, touring as a session musician, working in the field of Studio Recording/Production, as a Musical Director and as a Music Teacher.

His bass was stolen recently. It is a very unusual bass as it is the only Musicman bass with 2 pickups, main original pickup has been moved back to 1 inch from the bridge and a Kent Armstrong pickup added to the front.

Serial Number – 50098. It is natural wood in color with a maple neck and fingerboard. Please see attached photograph.

If you spot this unique one-oh-a-kind bass guitar anywhere, it is urgent that you contact either Jingles or frigglive or report to the nearest police station immediately.

Jingles’ cell - +6016 6292686
Skype - jingles-1
MSN - jingles1@mac.com
http://www.jaxtr.com/jingles1
www.myspace.com/jinglesmusicbiz

Reward offered for the successful recovery of Jingles’ beloved axe. He will personally buy you a beer; give you a hug and a kiss and an autographed picture of him with his bass.

Let’s reunite these estranged lovers, people. Thank you for your cooperation.

Genting International Jazz Festival 2008

I wouldn’t call the Genting International Jazz Festival a jazz festival per se, but the tagline was spot on – where passion meets fusion. It was all about crossing borders and successfully fusing different genres of music.

GIJF blew the audience away with a repertoire of groups from across the continents. Great selection of top-notch jazz performers, excellent sound engineering and an efficient crew made the festival a success, and here kudos are due to Yeoh Jun Lin and Yeo Yu Puay, the artistic duo that gave Rainforest World Music Festival its distinctive beat and their team (see accompanying story below).

Everything was great. The well-trained and efficient crew took only 10 minutes in between sets to setup the stage, host Kevin Tann was at his entertaining best, the acoustics at the Genting International Showroom were top-notch and the performers were in serious party mood.

Since every other review is going to sound more or less the same, frigglive.com is taking a different angle. We’re going to rate and award the music, bands and performances.

image credit: eugene ong, all dat jazz

When the first band jUnKoFuNc walked on stage I was in for a pleasant surprise. I’ve known Badar for years, and he’s always tucked away in the back behind his beloved percussions. Not this time. Attired in blue denim dungarees and sporting a badass attitude he stirred up the crowd with “Ain’t That Peculiar”. That guy can not only sing, he does it well. Sweet.

Midway through their set, “Anusha” written by Andy Peterson for his only daughter of the same name was performed by Andy, John and Justin. The tempo was then brought down by Albert Sirimal singing a cover of Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing”. Badar joined Albert in closing with “Soul with a Capital S”.

Only local band picked by the organizers to play alongside the international line-up, making Malaysia proud – jUnKoFuNc.

image credit: eugene ong, all dat jazz

Next up, Ben’s Belinga proved to be an arresting entertainer as not only is his self-taught mastery of the saxophone evident, he also used his body language to good effect, with facial gestures and scat calls.

The soulful and pensive piano, the throbbing rhythm section, the melodious horns and the ability to juggle Caribbean and Afro-Cuban rhythms carry the ghostly echoes of jazz greats Charlie Parker and John Coltrane.

Ben’s claim that Jazz is in actual fact tribal African music turned out to have a ring of truth to it as there is an African spiritual undertone to his music.

Most enigmatic performer -Ben’s Belinga.

image credit: johan nasir

Diamond Dave and the Doodaddies are not a technical band, but man do they know how to have fun onstage. Their infectious brand of good ol’ Chicago Blues certainly endeared them to the crowd. Diamond Dave Billing and Dave Brewer front the band. Brewer’s wailing electric guitar complemented Diamond Dave’s moving and soulful blues harmonica throughout the band’s repertoire of original material.

Diamond had the audience eating out of his hands and singing along when he walked into and partied with the audience. It turns out the blues don’t make you blue, after all.

People’s favorite - Diamond Dave and the Doodaddies

image credit: johan nasir

Hamilton de Holanda and band established their superior jazz chops, executing complex time changes and deftly navigating tricky melodic and harmonic variations. Holanda is a speed demon on the track, spilling out rippling lead runs, which the supporting musicians have no trouble keeping up with. But technique and tempo are not the only tricks they have up their sleeves as the bulk of the set is gentler and more studied, concerned with conveying emotion rather than impressing.

The Brazilian samba tradition and Flamenco-reminiscent arpeggios; devilish high-speed syncopations apply extreme duress on ensemble work only to come off like a dream; unexpected time gates; scintillating tremolos following bass lines in lock step; sophisticated harmonic progressions; dreamy Tropicana melodies; sneaky percussion art; gorgeous harmonica riffs; suave guitar work.

Best solo - Hamilton de Holanda's "Disparada" on the 10 string mandolin. The big fella is arguably the most virtuosic mandolinist in the world today. His fingers flying around the tiny fret board with each note ringing true and full of emotion is a sight to behold. Truly an awesome performance.

Best duet - Hamilton de Holanda on the mandolin with Gabriel Grossi on the harmonica. It seemed as if both instruments were in perfect sync.

image credit: johan nasir

Salsa Celtica certainly knew how to make a grand entrance as they made their way to the stage through the audience while playing a rousing Celtic number. Salsa dance enthusiasts wasted no time in joining them on stage.

Salsa Celtica’s remarkable success story started with salsa music and the prevailing climate of fusion at that time where some guys joined in the band to jam and it sort of grew organically. When Salsa first started it was a mix of Afro-Cuban music and South American folk music with jazz, a mix of the music in Europe.

They were an immediate hit with the locals and the newly arrived Hispanic community. After recording their debut album 'Monstruos y Demonios' (Monsters and Demons), Salsa Celtica took their music on the road. They eventually landed in Cuba to hang out with salsa groups, including Son14 and Sonora La Calle,

Most successful fusion - salsa and celtic music, complete with bagpipes!

image credit: johan nasir

Singapore’s A Cappella group Key Elements kicked off the second night with an easygoing note by singing a modified rendition of The Sound of Music’s “Do Re Mi” as an introduction to themselves. They performed Chinese numbers and all-time favourites, such as Teresa Teng’s “The Moon Represents My Heart”, and Barry Manilow’s “Meet Me Midnight”.

Most unusual song - their version of the theme from Spiderman. Extra points for the quaint choreography and “fight” sounds effects.

image credit: johan nasir

Best vocalist - Tangora. Her scat improvisations were breathtaking and although I could not understood a word of her singing as it was in French, she proved beyond doubt that music does indeed cross language boundaries.

Best keyboard duel - Mario Canonge on piano vs award-winning organist Emmanuel Bex. Whenever Bex pumped up the volume on the Hammond it was just surreal. Mario on the other hand was absolutely smoking.

Best overall duel - Duvone Stewart from Trinidad and Tobago on the steel pans and Jazz Jamaica trumpeter Abram Wilson. During the finale, most of the performers went up on stage for a mega jam and these two were really duking it out.

It started out fairly simply with a few blasts of the trumpet here and a few tinkles of the steel pan there; but then it got furious and the crowd were on their feet cheering them on.

Stewart eventually lifted the steel pan off its rack, placed it on the floor and spun it around while still playing it!

Best backup band - Tangora again.

image credit: johan nasir

Neander’s Jazz Band’s big band ‘ol skool New Orleans blues certainly got the audience bopping along. Their on-stage antics were very endearing. The Jazz scene in Denmark has never been popular and it’s barely surviving Hans Christian Rosendal, the clarinet/alto saxophone player of the group told us.

Young people don’t care much about jazz simply because they don’t like it he continued. I do hope that we are able to reach out to the younger audience to listen to Jazz because of our energetic and authentic music.

Per Neander’s deep throaty vocals emulating the legendary Louis Armstrong got the most cheers when he launched into 'What a Wonderful World' for their encore performance.

Best on-stage presence - Neanders Jazz Band.

image credit: johan nasir

Schalk Joubert and The Three Continents Sextet is all about crossing borders and fusing different genres of music, South African born bass player Joubert’s influences are the rhythms of Africa and the harmonies of Europe.

We’re all musicians with different musical background and influences from all over with different personas said Joubert. It’s a marvelous hybridisation when we get together and create a fresh new sound that is quite unlike anything we’ve heard before.

As a music composer, it’s a wonderful thing to see the concepts in your own head being understood by other musicians and with that, came alive in three dimensional form, said Joubert.

Best bassist - Schalk Joubert. He’s so into his playing that he actually stuck his finger into his mouth to make a pop sound to punctuate his music. Cool or what?

image credit: johan nasir

Hottest female performer - petite South African saxophonist Shannon Mowday, with her little skirt and boot kit and oh so sexy subtle dance moves.

image credit: johan nasir

Award-winning Jazz Jamaica with special guest Myrna Hague and a brand new set entitled Tighten Up! Proved to be an all-star group as they got the audience on their feet and dancing along to their blend of rock rhythms, ska beats, pumping reggae grooves interweaved with sophisticated jazz swing.

We perform not because of the awards or political messages. It’s solely about music and art said Gary Cosby. Jazz has lost the ability to connect with the audience, and that’s why we play to reach out to younger people and get them on their feet dancing to our music.

Jazz is unique because it can’t be recreated with modern day technologies, and it can only be presented live,” he added. It’s an integration of musicians working together. It’s more than just technology; it’s about the human experience.

Best dressed band - Jazz Jamaica, with their skinny neckties, leather berets, well tailored pants and Kevin Federline look-alike drummer complete with diamond stud earring.

Best all-star jam – all the performers in the finale. The riff from "Flight of The Bumblebee" which morphed into the theme from the Flintstones got roaring approval from the crowd.

My sincere thanks to Ms Yeoh Jun Lin, Ms Yeo Yu Puay and their team for putting together a fantastic show (I can only guess at the logistic nightmare) and Ms Lind Shah of Genting Berhad who ensured that we were comfortable and well looked after.

No prizes for guessing who’s already booked his place for next year.

Yeoh Jun Lin

Yeoh Jun Lin graduated from the prestigious Royal College of Music, London with the G.R.S.M. Honours course and also holds the A.R.C.M., L.R.A.M. and the L.T.C.L.. She passed both Grade 8 in piano and violin with high distinctions at the age of 13, but considers the piano her principal instrument which she studied with, first, her father, then Yeoh Geok Hoon in Penang, and later on the late David Parkhouse when she was 16.

She also pursued the violin with Kenneth Piper. She participated in the debut recording of the BBC’s “The African Sanctus” by David Fanshawe, but Jun Lin was most involved with chamber groups and was in demand as a pianist in duos and ensembles.

Now residing in Kuching, Jun Lin continues with her passion for music. She did a piano concerto in the Mozart bicentennial celebrations, performed with violinist Clarence Myerscough, as a trio with Isin Cakmakciuglu and Rachel Atkinson, with trombonist Gila Rayberg and violinist Fintan Murphy. She was also producer of the Christmas concert with Chan Hui Ling in 1995. She has a select group of students whom she tutors.

Jun Lin was the Chairman of the Sarawak Music Society from 1997-2000 where she organized a series of events which included the Young Musician of the Year Award in 1999. She also sat in the Kuching Festival Committee and adjudicated for several competitions.

She was in the organizing committee for the annual Rainforest World Music Festival in Kuching that started in 1998 under the Sarawak Tourism Board. She is perhaps best known as the Artistic Director for the festival 2001-2007. She was also the Artistic Director for the Miri International Jazz Festival (2006 – 2007), the Genting International Jazz Festival and the Penang World Music Festival.

jUnKoFuNc

What do a bunch of musicians who are busy with studio recordings, music festivals, music workshops and traveling for gigs in and out of the country do with their time off? Why, they play more music, of course.

Albert Sirimal, guitar maestro, has put together a funk band for the Genting International Jazz Festival with an ensemble that reads like a Who’s Who of Malaysian jazz musicians.

They are the only local band to join the other 9 international bands flying in for the festival that will be held on the 4th – 5th of April 2008 at Genting Highlands.

Named jUnKoFuNc, the project band was conceptualised by Albert and bass player Andy Peterson. Over a cold beer, I asked his music direction and he replied “Dude, the genre is funk, pure funk”.

Funk music is an American creation of the 1960’s. In the 1950’s, West Coast jazz styles were the chic thing to listen to. These had more European elements, were more experimental, had smaller chamber groups and catered to an elitist upper-class audience.

As a directly opposing reaction, hard bop music came about and moved back to its “bebop” roots – incorporating more gospel, blues and a very dominant bass line.

With the addition of the organ and saxophone and simpler harmonies, the style became what was called soul jazz. The main rhythm groove was more repetitive and less improvised.

Soul jazz then mixed with Rhythm & Blues to become more upbeat and dance based. These were the beginnings of Funk.

The bass line and the drums in funk music still form the dominant anchor. Complex polyphonic rhythms are the aim. The harmony is more static, tending to hover around a single chord.

There is a distinctive percussive timbre in funk music – not just from the drums and the bass guitar with its exciting slap-bass technique, but also from the attack of guitars and keyboards or organ and saxophone.

This off-shoot of bebop jazz is particularly popular with Malaysian jazz bands.

The band consists of Albert Sirimal on guitars and main vocals, Andy Peterson on bass, John Ashley Thomas on drums, Justin on keyboards, Badar on percussions and Ahmad Muriz on saxophone.

ALBERT started his musical career in 1985 as a soloist, playing the guitar and singing in many of the local clubs around Klang Valley.

When he emerged as runner-up in the Carlsberg Top Of The Pubs 1989 competition, Albert expanded his horizon by collaborating with other musicians to form bands, working alongside them in concerts, tours, sessions, music festivals and workshops.

Having played with some of the most talented musicians in and outside Malaysia, he has developed his own finger-style guitar picking.

As a highly-respected sessionist, Albert has been called upon to play with a plethora of local stars including Ning, Sheila, Ferhad, Prema Lucas, Maya Karin, Zainal Abidin, Jamal Abdillah, M. Nasir, Too Phat, Reshmonu and various others.

Albert's distinctive guitaring ability saw him exploring beyond Malaysian shores and performing gigs in Thailand, Singapore, Germany and the UK.

ANDY PETERSON is the most sought after bass player in Asia. An outstanding and amazing bass player, Andy has worked with Jackie Cheung, A-Mei, David Tao, Billy Cobham, Harlem Yu and local artistes like Siti Nurharliza, Steve Thorton, Zainal Abidin and Sheila Majid.

Currently a Yamaha Bass Endorsee, Andy encompasses all genres, be it jazz, rock, soul and in the case of jUnKoFuNc, it’s Andys favourite, funk.

Teaming up with Andy to handle the rhythm section is JOHN ASHLEY THOMAS on drums. A very talented and phenomenal drummer, John started playing drums when he was just 3 years old.

His credits include working with Grammy award-winning flautist Nestor Torres and touring the Blue Note circuit in Japan with Motown legends The Three Degrees, and playing at numerous jazz festivals including Arts Alive! Jazz Fest in South Africa and Jarasum International Jazz Fest in South Korea.

He has performed with premiere Jazz/Latin/Funk musicians and bands like Farid Ali, Steve Thornton, Grey Lyons, Alonso Gonzalez, Akihiko Matsui and Jiro Okada of Junky Funk from Japan, Yu Quan from China and Frank Gambale.

He won the Best Drummer Award 2002 at the Yamaha AsiaBeat Band competition and currently is a Yamaha Drums Endorsee and Sabian Cymbals International Endorsee. John currently heads his own band Funk Mob.

Also in the ensemble is JUSTIN LIM who will be handling the piano and keyboards. Justin has performed and recorded with musicians and artistes of diverse inclinations. His performing experience includes stints with artistes like Isaac Entry, Noryn Aziz, Angelita Li and Kris Dayanti.

He has contributed his talents to various recordings such as the yet-to-be-released album by Greg Lyons Nonet, indie icon Pete Teo's sophomore album Television (2006) and Malay pop artiste Min Malik's single "Jemu" (2000).

From 2004-2005, he was a member of the now defunct indie rock outfit, Her Reverie, playing guitars and keyboards. His compositions and arrangements can be heard on Ong Yuen Kwan's spoken word album The Most Beautiful Time (2007) and also on the independent film Thank God I'm an Atheist (2007). Justin is a recent graduate of the Penn State University with a MMus in Composition/Theory.

When the idea of getting a horn section to be part of the band was brought up, the vote was unanimous. AHMAD MURIZ CHE ROS. A graduate from the highly acclaimed Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, majoring in film score, Muriz may like jazz but his feet can’t stop tapping to contemporary orchestral music.

Currently attached with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, Muriz’s extensive work on arrangements and composition exploring the rich heritage of traditional Malay music has been highly respected by music lovers and musicians themselves. Muriz will be playing the saxophone and handle all brass arrangements for jUnKoFuNc.

And to top it all, providing that bit of Latin flair to the whole music arrangements is BADAR. Having associated himself with the likes of Mr Gambus @ Farid Ali and Karen Nunis, Badar is one of the most sought after percussionists in Malaysia.

His dedication towards his profession has taken him all over Malaysia and across Asia. Badar can be caught playing regularly alongside Albert Sirimal and singer Vijay David, shuttling between KL, Singapore and various parts of Asia.

The Genting International Jazz Festival 2008 will feature the largest repertoire presented so far in its run.

Tickets, band information, room packages etc can be found on the website www.gentingjazz.com. The hotline number to call is 03-2718 1118.

Here and Now The Best of the 80’s

It’s hard to put a price on nostalgia. Shows like Here and Now The Best of the 80’s evoke powerful memories for children of the '80s and new converts alike. People like me who grew up in that decade. We like to think back to that wonderful time when we were aged between 16 and 25 and were free of all responsibilities. I feel very privileged to be associated with such a fantastic era.

It was a time before the corporations, the conglomerates and the globalization of music began. Almost all the artistes in the 80s were very individualistic. They designed their own images, bought their own synthesizers, played around with the sounds, experimented and did their own thing all from the heart.

This is why I jumped at the chance to attend the concert at Genting’s Arena of Stars. The tour has already been staged in Britain, Australia, Japan and Europe, to rapturous response.

For the Malaysian show, five international acts took the audience down memory lane with their string of hit songs. The tour featured the following amazing artists playing their greatest hits.

LIMAHL

Kicking off the show was Limahl, 50, best known for his song Never Ending StoryToo Shy and Only For Love. which was the theme song for the fairytale movie of the same name. The former frontman of Kajagoogoo teamed his charming good looks with his soulful voice to enjoy a successful solo career after leaving the group, with hits like

In 1991, Limahl got back into the music business, not as a singer, but as a producer songwriter and arranger for other artistes such as Kim Wilde, Peter André (who had a big hit with Mysterious Girl) and the like. His real name is Christopher Hamill (his stage name is an anagram of his surname).

After the first song Limahl’s vocals were drowned out by the band, evidence that the soundman was on a different planet from the rest of us.

JOHNNY HATES JAZZ

Johnny Hates Jazz is an English pop band formed in 1986 by Clark Datchler, 44, (vocals, piano), Calvin Hayes, 47 (keyboards), and Mike Nocito, 45 (bass).

Clark Datchler left in 1988 and was replaced by The Cure’s bass guitarist, Phil Thornalley, 47.

In 1992, the band was involved in a serious car accident which left Hayes in a body cast for over a year. The band lost momentum and eventually split. In September 2007 Hayes announced that he and Mike Nocito, with a new vocalist, Danny Saxon, would be reforming the band.

Their classic pop hits include the top 5 hit Shattered Dreams, Different Seasons, I Don't Want To Be A Hero, Heart Of Gold and Turn Back The Clock (which featured Kim Wilde on backing vocals), their album of the same name went to No. 1 and went double platinum in the UK selling over 4 million copies worldwide.

Being one of their hardcore fans, I found their performance heartbreakingly dismal, with Saxon sounding like an amateur karaoke singer, compounded by the inefficient soundman. Images of Simon Cowell and his scathing remarks kept running through my head.

PAUL YOUNG

Paul Anthony Young, 50, most recently seen on The Asian Food Channel’s Hell’s Kitchen, has a genuinely soulful voice and hits that have spanned the decades. This former singer and bass player with the Q-Tips returns for this tour after appearing on the very first one in 2001 to great critical acclaim. Paul sang a selection of his hits from Come Back And Stay, Love Of The Common People, Senza Una Donna, Tear Your Playhouse Down to 'Every time You Go Away.

The voice may be a little throaty now but ever the showman, he was very energetic, dancing all over the stage and even coming down to dance a slow number with a lucky gal from the audience.

Paul was featured on the recording and video for the Band-Aid project, "Do They Know It's Christmas?" Band-Aid's proceeds went directly to famine relief in Ethiopia.

HOWARD JONES

John Howard Jones, 53, made his debut performance on UK’s Top of the Pops in October 1983. His album Human's Lib went platinum. Jones combines synthesizer music with commentary on animal rights and life's excesses, with philosophy, spirituality and humanistic ideals as his lyrical themes.

In 1984, he released a single called Like To Get To Know You Well, which he dedicated to the original spirit of the Olympic Games. Although it was not an official Olympic anthem for the Games in Los Angeles that summer, it caught on and was a huge worldwide hit. The song appeared in the film Better Off Dead and the computer game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories.

Howard sang hits such as What Is Love, Things Can Only Get Better, New SongPearl In The Shell. Corny as it was, him reading “Selamat datang keGenting nama saya Howard Jones” in Bahasa endeared him as much as his stage antics and vocals.

BANANARAMA

This band was one of the first in the music industry to promote “girl power” in the ’80s and are listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as Britain’s most successful girl group

This sassy duo (Siobhan Fahey left in 1988 after getting married to Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart and formed Shakespear's Sister with Marcella Detroit) comprises of original members Sara Elizabeth Dallin, 47, and Keren Jane Woodward, 47, took to the stage for their first Here & Now tour. They belted out Cruel Summer, Robert De Niro's Waiting, Venus, Love In The First Degree, Nathan Jones and Na Na Hey Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye.

Their hard rocking, slick choreography and hunky male backing dancers certainly helped the show to reach its peak, leaving us wanting more.

Bananarama also featured on the Band Aid hit single 'Do They Know It's Christmas? as well as a cover of 'Help' with French & Saunders for Comic Relief. Keren lives with ex-Wham star Andrew Ridgely.

Download the latest RnB remix

Ne Yo - Sexy Love (Main Jeemix)
Ne Yo - So Sick (Main Jeemix)

Nelly Furtado - Maneater (Main Jeemix)

Nelly Furtado - Maneater (Jeemix Re-rub)

Fergie - London Bridge (Jeemix)

Mario Vasquez ft Baby Bash - Gallery (Main Jeemix)

Mario Vasquez ft Baby Bash - Gallery (Jeehop Mix)

Mike Shinoda - Petrified (Rock Jeemix)

more songs coming soon..

All songs exclusively available download and donation at http://www.esnips.com/web/SmooveShop

or check out our new music profile at

http://www.myspace.com/smoovepinch

catch fran live 

Fran Live!

'LIVE' AT "NO BLACK TIE".....

October 13 ~ This Friday FRANCISSCA PETER & D'GUYS :

2006 sees Francissca Peter embracing and celebrating her 27th anniversary as an Artiste / Singer / Composer and Lyricist. Francissca Peter, or Fran, has enjoyed a fruitful and distinguished musical career in Malaysia with over twenty No. 1 hits in the local music charts and the title of "Best Female Vocalist" for five consecutive years. In 1990, with numerous Platinum and Gold discs to her name and numerous awards, Fran set off for the United States of America to widen her horizon and experience internationally.

While she has been successful as a commercial artiste, she is also always remembered as the first jazz vocalist who helped launch "All That Jazz", the first ever jazz club in Malaysia. She has performed worldwide in cities like Los Angeles, London, Hong Kong, while on the local front she has worked with the likes of jazz maestros Cal Bennett - American Saxophonist, Bassist - Sam Simms, Greg Lyons, Michael Veerapen, Lewis Pragasam, Josie Thomas, Mac Chew and others.

In celebration of her 27th anniversary in the music industry, she has released a double compilation CD album containing 19 of her popular hits and 1 new song written by the talented, famous Composer & Producer Manan Ngah. She is World Vision's Ambassador for 2006, and had performed at several of the organisation's events. These included the World Vision 30-Hour Famine 2005, The World Vision Charity Golf and Dinner, etc. and again in the upcoming World Vision 30-Hour Famine 2006.

Music starts at 10.30pm. RM30 cover

For reservation please call 03 - 21423737 or email noblacktie@gmail.com

No Black Tie

17 Jalan Mesui off jln Nagasari

KL 50200

Octoven

ROCK UNITE™ : THE GRAND FINALS

16 September 2006, Saturday

Live from The Rocker’s Stage, Queen’s Park, Cheras

Live broadcast over ntv7 from 8.30 pm – 9.30 pm

8.30 pm Start of live broadcast
Grand Finalist #1 performance : DUKE
Grand Finalist #2 performance : THE BIG BAND
Grand Finalist #3 performance : NROCINU

Guest artiste band : CANDY

9.30 pm End of live broadcast
On-ground concert continues with CANDY and pre-recording of Sunday's performers.

17 September 2006, Sunday

Live from The Rocker’s Stage, Queen’s Park, Cheras
Live broadcast over ntv7 from 8.30 pm – 9.30 pm
8.30 pm Start of live broadcast

A star studded evening with performances by rock bands
Performance by WINGS
Performance by DEJAVOODOO SPELLS
Performance by The ROCK UNITE™ ROCK STARS BAND
Featuring Mus May, Man Kidal, Jerry Felix with Special Appearance by Ella

Announcement of the Winner of ROCK UNITE™
Debut performance of The 1st Rock Band Stars of ROCK UNITE™

9.30 pm End of live broadcast

On-ground concert continues with performances by The 1st Rock Band Stars of ROCK UNITE™
DEJAVOODOO SPELLS
MEERKAT
SKIRI

Live music at Bisik

Bisik Bistro and Pub, has engaged two renowned live bands to perform at its venue beginning September 2006.

The first group, "KG & The Killer Girls", will play on Wednesdays, 9.15pm onwards. Comprising three charming female vocalists and a male musician / vocalist, "KG & The Killer Girls" is just unstoppable with their strong vocals and showmanship, stunning looks, lively choreography, fantastic repertoire that will certainly keep you grooving all night.

The second band is a duo who call themselves "MP3", will play on Thursdays from 9.15pm. This group was formed more than 8 years ago and comprises the lovely Rena Barr and Rickey Tai.

A versatile vocalist, Rena's repertoire covers everything from oldies, standards, Pop, Jazz, and R&B. Having shared the limelight with Malaysia's top notch musicians, Rena has definitely developed her own style which can be seen by the thunderous applause she gets from the appreciative audience whenever and wherever she performs.

Rickey, the music machine of the group is a very accomplished musician. He is versatile and plays anything, be it Pop, Rock, Jazz, R&B and etc. In between sets, the resident deejay spins music from the 70s, 80s, retro, pop and commercial dance.
Bisik offers theme night promotions such as Ladies Night on Thursdays whereby ladies enjoy free flow of house cocktail from 6pm to 12 midnight. On Fridays, it's Sizzling Salsa & Latino Night where patrons can expect to party and dance the night away with great selection of Salsa and Latin music!

Located at Lot 26, Ground Floor, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, Bisik is an ideal venue for both corporate and private functions. For more information on Bisik, kindly call Edward Dass at 03-2162 9181 or 012-206 5205.

Rock Unite Grand Finals

WHO WILL BE THE #2 GRAND FINALIST?

Malaysia – YOU have decided on your #1 Grand Finalist! THE BIG BAND has earned a place in The Grand Finals of ROCK UNITE™ on 16 September 2006.

Which band will now be YOUR choice of a second Grand Finalist?

The Semi-Finals II - live to your TV screen through ntv7 this Saturday, the 2nd of September, starting at 8.30 pm.

MISTAKEN IDENTITY is the evening’s first line-up. The band from Johor Baru, who was invited to a private royal audience with the Tengku Mahkota Johor upon their successful selection into the top 15 bands in ROCK UNITE™, will start the battle with “Veto”, an all time hit of Black Maria followed by their second song by Metal Asia “Kalifah Maya Alam”. Mistaken Identity features an extraordinary drummer – Ijan – the one-armed drummer. Having impressed Jerry Felix with his drumming right from the 1st audition at Istana Budaya, Ijan and his mates, Hood on 1st guitar, Ali on 2nd guitar and Aidil on bass will back up Ally on vocals.


SHARIN BAND, has had to earn their place in the semi-finals three times – first in Battle II where they lost out to Mistaken Identity; a second time in The People’s Choice where they lost out to The Big Band and then a final chance was given to them in The Judges’ Choice where they wowed the audience will their finale! Sharin Band will again perform one of their best originals “Sesat Dibumi Sendiri” with their second song “Enter The Sandman” a Metallica offering by this 3-piece rock band. Shahrin, the vocalist and lead guitarist, will be accompanied by Gmanz on bass and Man (of Flop Poppy) on drums.


DUKE, the resounding winner of Battle III, will come on next with the well known Eurythmics duo’s “Sweet Dreams” and “Breakdown”, a Duke original. Fronted by poster-boy Johan the vocalist, Duke comprises of Eugene and Rueben on guitars, Anoy on bass and Arul on drums. Having garnered a fan based following, Duke will promise another interesting raw performance for the evening.

AFTERBURN closes the competition with “Rock Is Dead” by Marilyn Manson and for the very first time in the competition, they will be performing their own original “Sin City”. Afterburn was the first semi-finalist band to be selected when they were voted the winner in Battle I. Steven, the vocalist with an attitude and a fondness for climbing up speakers, will come on stage with his partners-in-rock Adil on lead, Tim on bass, Silas on keyboards and Stephanie, the female drummer.

Voting for the bands will commence on Saturday 8.30 pm and will close on Monday 12 noon (SMS to 36558 : RU 1 for Mistaken Identity, RU 2 for Sharin Band, RU 3 for Duke or RU 4 for Afterburn. Or dial 13727 from TM fixed line).


Signing off the show will be this week’s guest artiste band MALITO – a band forged together in 1998 based on their undying passion for music and the fiery trials of live performances. Malito is currently working on their first album where their influence is classic rock.


Don’t miss this hard edged rock episode. 2 September 2006, Saturday, 8.30 pm, ntv7

Or be part of the live audience at Queen’s Park located at the corner of Jalan Peel and Jalan Shelley, Cheras (opposite Carrefour). Admission is free to this outdoor rock competition under the stars.

For an up close and personal experience with the four semi-finalist rock bands, tune in to ROCK UNITE™ Backstage on Sunday, 3 September 2006, at 2.30 pm over ntv7, Your Feel Good Channel.

ROCK UNITE™ Independent Bands Concert Series

5 pm, Queen’s Park, 2 September 2006

THE WOO HOO and SKUDAP-SKUDIP perform in this week’s ROCK UNITE™ Independent Bands Concert Series #4.

Indie band THE WOO HOO plays 60’s British R & B while SKUDAP-SKUDIP is known for their ska and pop punk music.

Show your support for the local indie scene. Admission is free.

Peace!

This week at Backyard Pub & Grill

Live Music
6 days a week Live Music performances only at Backyard! An impressive line-up of artistes is set to entertain you this week as Backyard announces its 6 days-a-week Live Music starting from August 28th. Raymond Chia opens Mondays slot while Madison Flynt from Denmark guest stars on Tuesday, 29th August. Don't miss out the special performance by the Danish band.

Good news to all on Merdeka Eve, August 30th, as there will be Happy Hours "All Night Long". To the ladies, enjoy Vodka, Rum & Gin Free Flow from 5pm to 930pm! Celebrate this event at Backyard with Vincent (Lionel Richie of M'sia) Faye & Marcus. There will also be festivities as we celebrate Malaysia's 49th National Day.

Also, check out the latest video of Big Game who consists of Gerard Singh, Sherman Tan & Raymond Chia at www.backyardpub.com


The line-up for this week:
Mon, Aug 28: Raymond Chia
Tue, Aug 29: Madison Flynt
Wed, Aug 30: Vincent & Faye
Thu, Aug 31: Two Hats
Fri, Sept 01: Stairways
Sat, Sept 02: PHD
Sun, Sept 03: --

Backyard Pool League
As for the Backyard Pool League 2006, the Finals will be held on Monday, August 28th.
View the list of the 6 finalists here:
http://www.backyardpub.com/pool/bpl2006.htm


Food promotions
Friday Specials (available every Friday):

A) Seafood Spaghetti Marinara (featured in Her World, June issue), with choice of cream, tomato or garlic sauce. - RM 14.50 +
B) BBQ Chicken + Salad + Roast Potato - RM16.50 +
C) Sweet N Sour Fish + Rice - RM10.50 +
*Get any of the above promotional dishes and pay only RM5.90+ for a glass of house wine (one glass per order). Promotion runs till end of September.

Saturday Specials
Backyard BBQ Pit opens for business

Blast Off! Is Back

Blast Off! The band & vocal group talent search initiated by the Astro Hitz.tv channel is back! Hitz.tv is heading to Sarawak on 9 & 10 September 2006, Kuala Lumpur on 15, 16 & 17 September 2006 and Sabah 16 & 17 September 2006, on the look out for talented unsigned musicians for Blast Off 3!

Blast Off! is an initiative of Hitz.tv channel to unearth exciting, talented unsigned Malaysian performing bands/groups with the aim to develop them in realizing their full potential in regional and international music arena. This competition is open to all genres & English only, band or vocal groups with minimum 3 members to maximum 6 members in between the age of 18 - 30 years old Malaysian. Participants must be an unsigned band or group, free from any recording contract from any labels & free from any sponsor or endorsement contract.

Don't miss out on the chance to be the next Blast Off Star, so make sure you register now! Wanna be the next star of Blast Off!? Log on to www.astro.com.my and click on Hitz.tv or Astro Life to register now. The online registration will close on the 1st September 2006.

Be sure not to miss the audition. For more information, email us at blastoff at www.astro.com.my or contact us 603 9543 9312. Stay tuned to Hitz.tv, The Music You Choose!

Blast Off is supported by hitz.fm as the official radio station, Malay Mail & Kosmo as the official Newspaper, Galaxie Magazine as the official magazine and Zerohour as the official wardrobe

Sharizan Borhan’s “Timeless” Tour Rolls Into September

New Gigs Added At Souled Out And Top Room As Jazz Circuit Tour Enters Third Month

Sharizan Borhan has added three more dates to the jazz circuit tour in support of his new live album recording “Timeless”. He will be performing at:
Souled Out Café on Saturday September 9
20 Jalan 30/70A, Desa Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur P: 03-2300-1955

The Top Room on Friday September 22 and Saturday September 23
Top Hat Restaurant, 7 Jalan Kia Peng, Kuala Lumpur P: 03-2142-8611
E: info@top-hat-restaurants.com for reservations

Standard cover charges apply for each bar and performances are subject to change, so please call ahead to check.

Sharizan has been extremely busy in the last three months since the release of his comeback album. He’s performed to packed houses at Alexis Bistro Ampang and The Top Room, appeared on The Breakfast Show for NTV7 and Malaysia Hari Ini for TV3, as well as getting lots of encouraging interviews and positive reviews in the press.

His first single “Fly Me To The Moon” was a huge hit on Light & Easy, staying on heavy rotation for seven weeks! Following that, his second single “It Had To Be You” was championed by Traxx FM and has been on the jazz A-list for over a month. His third single “For Once In My Life” is due to be picked up by another radio station at the end of September.

get television and get switched on

Pete Teo's new album "Television"

Newsflash!
Pete’s first single “Tom”, a tribute to the late Jairus Anthony, has been nominated for best song on Hitz Fm Annual Awards. Please vote for it by sms-ing VOTE POP 1 to 32111. Support local talent – do it now.

Pete Teo is Malaysia’s finest gift to the music world in the genre of alt pop. The man is a natural, a consummate poet, constantly developing his craft as a true artiste.

In Television, Teo provides his trademark mix for a solid album: - sweet melody, delicate singing, imaginative song structure, and ever evocative lyrics. However, it is a significant departure from his debut ‘Rustic Living for Urbanites’. The solo soul-searching introspection is gone, replaced by a bigger, fuller band sound.

‘Carnival Hall’, an ironic and timely parody of our current media obsessed world, is driven by a bass line that infectiously dances in your head and yet is technically impressive

Pete is brilliant and his 2nd album is punctuated by many moments of his sheer musical mastery. making it a truly enjoyable listening experience.

Pete Teo started writing music professionally in 1985 while still in his late teens, for English TV soundtracks to begin with, then for a fusion band "Sibert" in which he also performed as the guitarist, then on to a unit called "Mid Century" which won a recording deal with BMG Hong Kong and became a successful cult act. Bet you didn’t know he taught philosophy in a school while writing music for Channel 4 in London..

After a hiatus during the latter half of the 90's he returned to the music scene in 2000 as a solo performer, in the current style, and recorded his first solo album "Rustic Living for Urbanites" which was released in June 2003. This album was produced by Ronan Chris Murphy, a producer/mastering engineer who has worked with rock pioneers such as King Crimson, Steve Morse (ex. Dixie Dreggs, Deep Purple) and California Guitar Trio, among many others.

For the recording of that album, Teo was joined by Malaysia's foremost musicians Lewis Pragasam, whose drumming prowess has made him the most wanted drummer in the south-east Asian music scene, as well as Takeharu Hayakawa, the bassist of Bondage Fruit offspring Coil fame.

Pete Teo mentions as his favorite musicians Leonard Cohen, Van Morrison, Nick Drake, and he is an avid fan of experimental jazz and rock.

Teo’s 2nd album “Television” features top musicians from all over Asia and includes ‘Who For You?’, the title song to hit movie 'Gubra', as well as singles 'Carnival Hall' and 'Lost In America'. The album is out in stores now and without giving anything away all I can say is it's bloody good, so go buy it now.

For more info and a sneak preview of the brand new album, click on the link

Digi and Starbucks Music Series

coffee and music...or is it music and coffee?

Francissca Peters at Cotton Club

your chance to catch the silky voiced songbird