My Glorious Years - A Triple Bill Concert Press Conference.

I was invited by ML(Leslie Loh, tha Pop Pop Man) to cover the press conference for the "My Glorious Years" a triple bill concert combining the talents of Z Yan(Bossa Princess), Lydia and Cher Siang of Jz8 fame. They will be backed by musicians from the WVC trio. The event was held at the latest hip & happening "Loud + Clear" music store. Here's a pictorial of the event.
The tastefully decorated Loud + Clear music store. Just a few minutes before the press conference.

A popular MY FM deejay hosted the event with humour.


Everyone tooks turns to share their feelings for the concert. Here's Cher Siang giving his bit.

From left, Cher Siang, Leslie, Lydia & Z Yan. Hey! Where's HiFi Maverick gone? He was here a minute ago!

The de-rigeur Malaysian thing do so after any event, let's tuck in some fo.. er coffee please!

My Glorious Years - A Tripple Bill Concert info:

Concert Date: 9th April 2011, Saturday.
Venue: Bentley Auditorium, Mutiara Damansara.
Ticket Prices: RM$105 & RM$85.
Ticketing Outlets:
CD Rama (Popular Bookstore) Ikano Power Centre (03-77288188/5832)
CD Rama Sunway Piramid (03-56377280/7286)
CD Rama Cheras Leisure Mall (03-91322435/437)
Loud + Clear Solaris Dutamas (03-62111683)

Last but not least, see ya all at the concert!

Jz8, Lydia & Cher Siang.

Jz8 is Lydia & Cher Siang. Diva & Meastro in the making?

I have bought many copies of this CD, mostly because each time I played it on my system, my buddies would pinch mine right away. In fact till this day, not many Chinese speaking/reading audiophiles(this CD's majority target market) is even aware of it's existence. There seems to be a sense that perhaps Pop Pop Music wanted it to cross over so much, they may have neglected it's original core targeted audience? Even the 3 biggest socialite hifi critics in the scene today, namely the highly revered Platinum, Golden and Silver Ears trio have missed it!

By the way, I've since stop giving away my own copies and have asked those fellas interested to get their own from CD Rama instead. They may like it enough to buy for themselves, I don't know. However, I can say that Jz8 is my favorite artist from the Pop Pop stables so far. This is largely I feel, contributed by pianist Cher Siang's ingenious arrangements of some very familiar and other newer tunes on cover here.

In the last 6 months or so, this CD has been on constant rotation in my system. So it has proven to with stand repeated listening as most CD or LPs would be lucky if I still spin them after 3 months! I love almost the 11 tracks on the CD. There's not one dull track here, but if I have to, it's probably easier to mention the those that left me feeling more could have been done.

I thought the last track, I Have A Date With Spring was a little too sparse, and ML(the producer) could have possibly kept the first 3 minutes or so in tact, and let the last 45 seconds or so to erupt full on with a saxophone leading a big band for a grand finale? Well, it's just a thought anyway.

I have many favorite tunes here including Forever Smile, Because You're Happy, I am Happy Too, Unforgettable You, Ferris Wheels, Old Love Song, The Beach, Paper Aeroplane and lastly, my favorite of favourites, Fighting For Love. I felt Lydia totally nailed this one as she sings from an angle of a girl longing for un requited love. For me at least, I would've melted if she sang me this, but that would not have given the song it's sorrowful, yet poignant ending.

I found the recording quality of this CD first rate, tonal colours are naturally rendered, and the feeling is rather airy. The Doug Sax mastering really did wonders to the final mix, as Lydia's vocal is put back right in the center, just a little bit forward in presence of the sound stage, the piano is never far behind, with drum set right at the edge of stage end and double bass on the right. All easily discernible in a system that is well sorted out.

I know many people have a preference for the 2V1G kind of stripped down girl/guy guitar music over Jz8's more up beat offerings. I also know this music review is probably late as Jz8 has been garnering solid reviews overseas, but I really needed to give this CD the full test of time, and it stood out till this day, still remaining on my regular spinning list.

Well done Jz8, psst..... ML, I am still waiting for the vinyl release???

JZ8 Press Conference

Proud of You, Dude!

I don't know how this can happen, the JZ8 album is just out yesterday and the review is already out in Taiwan's Audio Art June 2010 Issue. ML, the Taiwanese sure love you a lot!

Basically, the reviewer/editor reckons this is one superb album from Malaysia and he has two thumb-ups for Ldyia Chew and Tay Cher Siang!

Really, we don't need the Taiwanese to tell us how good are Malaysian musicians and Malaysian Hi-Fi, we should first support our own musicians!

We just congratulated ML on this good news and he told us that his bank account is depleted due to all these expensive projects. Poor dude. So, audiophiles, if you want to see Malaysian audiophile productions flying high in international Hi-Fi arena, you owe it to yourself to support ML and his team of musicians! It will be embarrassing if all the accolades and recognition come from overseas and not from ourselves.

We at Hi-Fi Unlimited have already done our part!

10Qs For Jz8. Featuring Lydia Chiew And Tay Cher Siang.

Lydia and Tay Cher Siang is Jz8.

I finally had the opportunity to meet these two awesomely talented artist of the Jz8 duo. Their debut album, is about to be released by Pop Pop Music, which you can use the link on our left panel to visit their blog site, and also sample Jz8's songs.

Lydia is the vocalist of the project, and I must confess she looks even better in person than any of her photo shots that I've seen till date. Tay Cher Siang plays the piano, and also serves to re-arrange all the classic hits on the project into Jazz style repertoire, which I am told is his forte'.

During the 3 in 1 Happiness event, they graciously took time off to allow me to ask them 10 questions. Let's get to know these two up and coming artist, shall we?

Big E: Tell us a little bit about your selves? What lead the two of you to Jz8?

Tay CS: I've been very active in the local jazz scene since coming home from the (United) States two years ago. When ML approach me for this project, I was very excited to be part of it.

Lydia: I've been a back up singer for many years now. I back up some of the biggest regional stars like Jacky Cheung, Jenny Tseng(Yan Le') and Sheila Majid amongst many others. Over the years, I've had offers to branch out for a solo career how ever, until now none of the projects looked quite as interesting as Jz8, and when ML said Cher Siang was the other half, I just could not resist, not after all the good things I've heard about Cher Siang.

Big E: Cher Siang, you mentioned States, did you do your formal musical training there? Does formal training helps in the music industry?

Tay CS: Yes, I studied music at the West Virginia University. I specialised in jazz, my favourite genre. I am now teaching piano as my day job, to help pay the bills, so the formal training does help come to think of it.

Big E: Lydia, you mentioned that you backed Jacky Cheung, one of the most respect able HK artist. Tell us a little bit more?

Lydia: I worked on Jacky's latest jazz concept album called "Private Corner" if you know about that? You can hear me in four tracks on that CD and one of the more familiar track is called "Double Trouble". (Lydia did mentioned the other 3 songs that she was featured actually, but my poor command of Chinese language prevented me from listing them, with apologies)

Big E: As you know, Hifi-Unlimited is a hifi content based blog site, so I'll have to ask you this. Do you guys have some kind of hifi at home?

Lydia: I don't have a hifi system at home, but my dad does. He had a Sony CD player, AR amplifier and a pair of Infinity speakers. I remember that we'd join him as a family listening to his favourite music. That's why I can relate to ML's Chinese jazz music concept, targeted towards the audiophile market. I think audiophiles are very blessed people, because they have the time to sit back, relax and enjoy the beauty of music reproduced in the highest fidelity possible. Me? I just don't have the time, to be honest!

Tay CS: I have a beer budget Denon turn table, an integrated amplifier and speakers in my place. I am avid follower of your blog and thus, I am very aware that what I have is not really considered high end in any way.

Big E: Wow! You read Hifi-Unlimited regularly? Thanks for your support! I've hang out with musicians when I was younger and I can say that most of them don't really fuss with hifi. The fact that you have a basic set up is already a step above most musicians. Don't musicians want to hear their work in it's full glory?

Tay CS: Actually, we are enjoying the real thing day in, day out, there's really no need to settle for the next best thing, which is hifi. That's why most musicians don't bother. Don't you agree?
Lydia graciously performed an impromptu request by John Yew(CMY boss), for an unplugged performance of the song titled, Ferris Wheels.

Can you see that passion in the delivery? We could certainly hear it!

Big E: What's your opinion on music downloads? And as an artist, which format do you think your work is best represented?

Lydia: Any other format is o.k. except downloads! I don't like downloads because I feel it compromises the artistic value of our work. Say for example, I know many young people today like downloads for convenience and have a big collection of songs in their MP3 player or iPod. Problem is when I ask them who sings that particular track they are playing, they said they don't know! Now what good is a song without getting to know the artist? I must also remind that illegal down loads compromises the artist's income too. Without adequate income, who'd wanna be an artist, making music?

Tay CS: When I was a teenager, I used to read hifi rags, where the reviewers would write about their vinyl experiences not found on CDs, such as admiring the great art works on the gate fold covers, all the credits are printed with read able font sizes, the smell of fresh new vinyl and lastly that tender action of pulling out the LP from it's cover, placing it on the turn table, then lovingly brush away the surface dust on the LP, and lastly, cue the tone arm to the track you wanna play. As some one growing up in the CD era, I never truly understood what that was all about until some one showed it to me! And after I experienced vinyl for the first time, I started buying LPs of artist that I like, just to keep until I could afford a turn table! I think an LP immortalises an artist's work. I would someday like to see my work to be available on vinyl too, if that is possible. And no, I don't like down loads at all, because it sounds especially bad on MP3.

Big E: Pop Pop Music is releasing 2V1G on LP, due to their commercial success. I think Jz8 could do just as well, if not better! So your odds are pretty good indeed! Are you somewhat jealous of 2V1G because they are now going to be on vinyl?

Tay CS: I am very happy for the success of 2V1G. I really hope one day, Jz8 will make to LP format too! But I think that depends on the commercial success of our debut CD.(At this point, a visibly excited ML was heard shouting at least 30,000 copies!) I hope the music lovers like our effort enough to ensure our success.

Big E: Tell us a bit more about your 2 years working together? Do you guys do the "Diva" and have a cat fights every now and then, or is it smooth sailing all the way?

Lydia: We work together very well in fact. I am happy that there's always a consensus way to work out problems, if any encountered so far. There's no "Diva" what so ever to speak off.(Cher Siang nods in agreement)

Big E: Lydia, do you feel like there's a stigma for back up singers to fight against before one makes a successful transition as a solo artist?

Lydia: I think the stigma is all in the audience's perception. There are many who first started as back up singers in the industry and successfully made it big as a solo artist, Mariah Carey is one the most famous example. For me, I don't feel there's any reason why a back up artist shouldn't be successful.

Big E: Are there any plans in place now for a follow up album? Or do you have to wait and see the success of the soon to be launched debut CD before deciding?

Tay CS: I think that question is best answered by our producer, ML. However, I actually do have some materials at hand, which I've already composed and feel they are suitable for the project, if it should happen.

Lydia: I think the biggest problem is timing. Both of us have our other commitments and this debut Jz8 CD took two years to materialise. I don't know if the audience would wait another two years or longer for the next follow up CD. Well, just let fate take it's journey and see what happens. In the mean time, we hope the audience will appreciate and support our work of Jz8 for now.
Cher Siang explains some of the finer recording details on the Jz8 CD, while Lydia looks on.

Good times seem to fly by and before we knew it, there's a crowd waiting for the Jz8 launch event to start. I had to let them go do their thang.

Lastly, I wish both Lydia and Cher Siang sweet success. Do support the Jz8 album by not down loading, but buying their CD, so that Jz8 have a chance to be immortalised on vinyl, as that is Cher Siang's dream as an artist. We can do our part to make it come true. Me and a few friends have done our part, how about you?

3 In 1 Happiness Event.

The first thing that struck me about the thoroughly modern urban chic designed, Sunway Giza Mall is those big giant fans, hung from the centre "big top" open air area. Those giant fans help to cool the side walk cafes down enough to make sitting in the open air spaces look "happenin" and sweat free.

The giant fans mounted from the "big top" provides the necessary cooling to hang out at the open air spaces, and cafes.

The newest CMY Audio & Visual shop front, located on the first floor of the air conditioned section of the Sunway Giza Mall.

The latest CMY Audio & Visual branch is located on the first floor of the air conditioned section of the mall. The showroom is tastefully decorated to reflect the discerning clientele at the up and coming area of Kota Damansara.
All the CMY brands are available here!

From left: WS Woon(Wadia i-competition winner), Big E and John Yew(Head Honcho of CMY) doing the "Grand Prize"(a Wadia 170 iTransport) giving ceremony.

I had the pleasure to escort our Wadia i-competition winner, WS Woon to the "Grand Prize" giving ceremony, and along the way, got to know him as an audiophile. We hope to feature his high end system one day.
A section of the crowd listening to the Jz8 CD demo.

The main event was of course, no other than ML's Pop Pop Music laucnh of the Jz8 album with CDs scheduled to be available some time late this month. I was so hoping that I could get my copy and get Lydia and Tay Cher Siang of the Jz8 duo to autograph it. I also got the opportunity chat up the friendly duo, which will appear in the 10Qs section latter. Those who attended the event was treated to a real eye/ear opener, with Lydia doing an impromptu unplug solo performance vs the demo CD of the song Ferris Wheels. All I can say is, this gurl's got it going on! Yeah!
From left: ML, Lydia and Tay Cher Siang of Jz8 duo.

The promising sounding all Naim system used for the CD demo.

The Naim electronics, powered by RGPC power conditioning.

The Naim Ovator speakers represent Naim's new thinking on speaker design direction. Retailing for only RM$38K.

One of the unusual design feature of the Naim Ovator speakers, the BMR tweeter decoupling suspension system. The speakers also has plinth decoupling system functioned by an ingenious leaf spring design.

ML declares "We are gonna sell at least 30,000 copies of Jz8 CDs!". Not an over optimistic forecast I'd say, going from Lydia and Tay Cher Siang's musical talents.

The system used to demo the Jz8 CD is an all Naim system featuring the latest Naim Ovator speakers. This speaker heralds a new speaker design direction, more inclusive to a wider target audience, other than to the usual loyal olive hair shirt Naim owners! The sound from the system is promising, which I suspect it had slightly diluted that Naim signature sound, which can be a good or bad thing, depending on the degree of oliveness in Naim one is. The Naim Ovator comes with a few new design innovations and I urge our readers to check it out, even if one is not a Naim loyalist.
Andy is the store manager for the CMY Kota Damansara branch. So do look out for this ever friendly chap!

There's also an area dedicated to AV systems demo.
If Andy looks familiar to you, that's because he was previously posted at the nearby 1 Utama CMY branch. You can contact Andy at, 016-9765277.
Stay tuned for my 10Qs to the Jz8 duo.

3 In 1 Happiness Event. CMY New Branch Opening, Launch Of Jz8 CD and Wadia i-Competition Prize Giving Ceremony.

The latest CMY Audio & Visual showroom in the equally new Sunway Giza Mall, Kota Damansara.

This message has already appeared in two other music and hifi related blogs, so please treat this as a final reminder!

There's a 3 in 1 "Happiness Event" happening next Saturday, 2.00-4.00pm, 15th May 2010. Place is the brand new CMY Audio & Visual show room at Sunway Giza Mall, Kota Damansara. First "Happiness" is that we are celebrating the official opening of the said show room.
Maestro Tay Cher Siang will be at hand to autograph ML's latest production, the Jz8 CD and meet fans.
The next "Happiness" is that ML of Pop-Pop Music is launching his most anticipated work till date, the Jz8 duo, which features Maestro Tay Cher Siang, who makes up half the partnership, to personally autograph the CDs bought there and then plus to meet his fans in person. The Jz8 CD will also be on demo.
Attn: W.S.Woon, your "Grand Prize", the Wadia 170 iTransport awaits your collection!
The final "Happiness" is that CMY has decided to include the "Grand Prize" giving ceremony of our recently concluded Wadia i-Competition, which resulted in W.S.Woon being declared the winner. W.S.Woon please show your self for the event to collect your "Grand Prize", which is a unit of the excellent Wadia 170 iTransport dock.

Please RSVP your attendance for the event with Chan of CMY by calling 012-2873551.

See ya all!

Roger Wang and JZ8

I have met Roger Wang, the guitar maestro, twice. Once in a performance in NBT and later in Tutti Studio. He strikes me as an easy-going and humble chap with absolutely no air, considering the fame he has. Considered one of the best finger-style guitarists in the country, you have to really see how Roger plays his guitar to understand why he is what he is today.

I just found out about Roger's blog today... check out how this guitar man talks about his involvement in his latest c0llaboration with Maggielurva and his latest toy, the harp guitar.

Also, I went to Tutti Studio last night to watch JZ8's practice. Finally, I get to meet Lydia Chew, the female vocalist. Lydia is small in frame but a very attractive and chatty lady. I love her voice! She can goes deep and has a tonal character that is very unlike the typical Chinese pop female singers which tend to be high-pitched and amusical. She has a poise which comes with many years of singing for big artistes like Jenny Tseng, Jacky Cheung and Sheila Majid, to name a few. If you like RegineTai and Winnie Ho (of 2V1G) for their youthfulness and exuberance, you will like Lydia Chew for her maturity and class.

I watched in amazement how Tay Cher Siang flirted with the piano. This man is amazing; he can play some amazing chords which are out of your imagination! His playing reminds me of George Winston, the American pianist.

Some of the songs they recorded included "The Beach" (Sha Tan) by David Tao, "I Have A DateWith Spring" (Ngo Wo Chun Tin Yau Gor Yuat Wui) by Alice Lau Ngah Lai and "Hang Fook Mo Tin Lun" by Eason Chan. In particular, I was mesmerized with Lydia's rendition of "I Have A Date With Spring". You know, to sing this song well, you must have a deep voice. Recently, I went for the Dama Ochestra musical adaptation of the same name and was hugely disappointed with Tan Su Suan's rendition of the same song towards the end of the musical. Don't get me wrong, Su Suan is a great singer but she is a soprano and she sang way too high! Lydia's bass tone is just perfect for this great great song.

JZ8 is vastly different from 2V1G, both have its appeal to different class of listeners. If you ask me, I love both.

According to Chow Kam Leong, the producer, he aims to release JZ8 before CNY next year. Maggie said he will definitely consider HQCD this time, as the recording this time will definitely be better than Love's Tapesty (which is already a milestone), as more Stage III cables are added coupled with more power conditioners.

You bet I will the first one to get an autograph, or maybe a hug :-( from Lydia Chew!