Welcome back to today's China Beat on China Radio International. I'm your host Xu Jue. This week we'll focus on a collective album compiling songs of 20 Chinese alternative musicians or bands from different parts of the country. The title of the album is C, standing for Chinese or challenge. And today we'll continue with the songs of the second disc in this collection.
To kick off the show is the Guangzhou based folk singer, Zhu Fangqiong, with his very own Song.
(Song)
The song's title is exactly Song, by Guangzhou based folk singer Zhu Fangqiong. He was born in Ning Xia province. And his folk music background has prompted him to explore the essence of tradition Chinese music through his own musical career.
In 1998, he released his self-made album "To the Western Paradise", a collaborative effort with his girl friend Xiao Quan. Some comments say Zhu Fangqiong's music is always too personal to reach ordinary people. But this musician replied as saying, his music also needs to be reached. In one word, Zhu Fangqiong is one sticking to his own way.
Coming up is a song presented by the Hong Kong indie band, 22 Cats. And the song's title is, The Real Look.
(The Real Look)
That's The Real Look, by the Hong Kong based band, 22 Cats. But actually the band is composed of 4 cats who work during the day and play music together at night. Formed in 2002, 22 Cats is known for their mixture of guitar pop and experimental programming.
The band is now on the Harbor Record Label. They debuted with the mini-album "All the Good People Will Shine" in 2004, which included the radio hit "Jasper". After passing the audition, they played at the Rockit Festival the same year. Last June, they released their second album "She Will Eat You".
And here comes Red Sun, by the band Fall.
(Red Sun)
The band Fall, or Luo in Chinese, comes from the city Changsha in Hu Nan Province. It's a post rock styled band, with Li Yong on guitar and Qiu Yongsheng on drums. The band's formed in the year 2000. And now the lead man Li Yong has started a new electronic project with the band 48V, which is said to be the first electro post rock band in China. Probably we¡¯ll be able to show you some more works from them later.
Coming up is the song "The Incomplete Litter Bin", by the band, Kidney.
(The Incomplete Litter Bin)
Liu Tao on rhythm guitar and being the vocalist, Cao Danping on lead guitar, Rao Fei on bass, Yang Yang on drums, the band Kidney has just sung us the song, The incomplete Litter Bin. It's a version recorded in 2003 when the band were simply jamming during the rehearsal. With a 9 year history, The band has left their influence in Chinese alternative music circle by attending several music festivals, and one album, To Who Should We Sing, through the Badhead label under the Modern Sky Company.
And before saying goodbye to you on today's China Beat, I'll leave you with the last song I choose from this collective album, C. It's called Blue Hotel, by the Guangzhou based band, A. I found it's bit difficult to introduce some other works included in this project to you, as they are bit too experimental. So if you do have the interest in such works, go and find the album in the record shops. Like the project initiators said themselves, this album will not be able to promote any one from anonymous to well-known. It just helps the voices of individuals to be more widely heard.
Thanks for listening. I'm Xu Jue. Good luck and see you next week.
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