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Five albums to look for in 2008
A list of anticipated upcoming releases from a bevy of
Asian-American artists
By Joe Nguyen, AsiaXpress.com
Jan. 14, 2008
Who says Asian Americans have to be doctors, lawyers
and engineers? Here's a list of 2008 album releases from
artists who prove that music courses through our blood
as well.
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| And
five makes 10
Because five just isn't enough.
Jake Shimabukuro
TBA 2008
http://www.jakeshimabukuro.com
Although Shimabukuro hasn't announced anything
yet, it's safe to assume that the ukulele virtuoso
will have something in '08 – he's come out
with a new album for six consecutive years.
Tatum Jones
TBA 2008
http://www.myspace.com/tatumjonesmusic
The former "America's Got Talent"
stars, At Last, may have lost a member and renamed
themselves Tatum Jones, but their harmonies are
still potent.
Jin
TBA 2008
http://myspace.com/therealjin
The quick-witted freestyler announced in a
MySpace bulletin that he's coming out with a new
album this year. When? Only he knows that.
Jack Hadley
TBA 2008
http://www.myspace.com/thejackhadleyband
The Boulder jazz-blues rocker announced he's
coming out with a solo effort later this year. Hadley's
known for his rich, laid-back melodies.
Vudoo Soul
TBA 2008
http://www.myspace.com/vudoosoul
Although he graduated from MIT, it's the Vietnamese-American's
silky smooth vocals laid over soulful R&B beats
that are his bread and butter. |
Thao with the Get Down Stay Down
We Brave Bee Stings and All
Jan. 29
http://www.thaomusic.com
Thao Nguyen brings back her unique growling vocals in
We Brave Bee Stings and All. The 23-year-old
Virginia-born singer-songwriter's music is part indie-folk,
part country-rock. And if the tracks released on her website
are any indication of the rest of the album, this should
be a good one.
Lyrics Born
Everywhere At Once
March 18
http://www.lyricsborn.com
Callin’ out to all area groups – the master
of the vernacular is back. The phonemic flowing Lyrics
Born is set to drop his third studio album, Everywhere
At Once. On his MySpace, "Hott 2 Deff," a track
that will be on the album, features energetic verses laid
over funky beats – something that's become a staple
of Tom Shimura's music.
Shin-B
Outside The Box
Early 2008
http://www.myspace.com/shinb
Winner of Kollaboration 2004's rap competition, Korean-American
lyricist Shin-B said on her MySpace that she delayed the
release of this album because she felt that it wasn't
up to her standards as an artist. If the end result is
anything like her previous endeavors, expect intricate
rhymes laced over mellow, head-bobbing beats.
Far*East Movement
Animal
Early 2008
http://www.fareastmovement.com
FM's debut album, Folk Music, was one of the
best hip-hop albums to come out in 2006. Their fun-filled
tracks just scream out "radio play," and 2008
may be the year these three MCs and one DJ breakthrough
into superstardom.
The Shanghai Restoration Project
Story of a City
Feb. 8
http://www.shanghairestorationproject.com
Back in 2006, producer Dave Liang took inspiration from
old 1930s Shanghai jazz bands and created his own blend
of Eastern and Western sounds. Combining modern jazz and
hip-hop flavors with traditional Chinese instruments,
he produced The Shanghai Restoration Project. He returns
with his sophomore effort in Story of a City, a 15-track
compilation that is based on the story of Shanghai at
the turn of the 20th century.
Joe Nguyen is the editor in chief
of AsiaXpress.com. Joe can be reached at joe (at) asiaxpress.com.
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