This record is a third in a series of classy compilations of urban electro and downtempo bar music, designed to give listeners a taste of the dance scene from an Asian capital (Shanghai, Tokyo, Hong Kong). Clubbers may take a bite of the Shanghai bun (on the cover) to taste this regional specialty, but shouldn’t expect to find local electronica here. Why? Because the Pearl of the Orient is a melting-pop of sounds. Which is the main selling point of this assemblage phunnily mixed by Kenneth Phun, if you’ll excuse the phun. This CD’s list of soulful club-house tracks serve as a reminder of the city’s former foreign settlements: Hanna Hais’ “Doucement” from France; Colette’s “Feeling Hypnotized” from the US, Shik Stylko & Virginia’s “Feels So Right” from Germany and Stonebridge’s “Show You How” from the Netherlands. However multifarious, this 2-CD release (Disc one: the original version; Disc two, the “Club Heaven Mix” – by far the better) contains ten tracks and two options: Relax with the downtempo cuts or shake your hips with the club house numbers. Perfect for Xintiandi night owls, The Trendy certainly doesn’t prove Shanghai is the Pearl of Oriental Electronica; it does however, provide clubbers with a map of the city’s beats.
High Note Records

(c) that's Shanghai Magazine
Chief editor: Steven Crane
May 2006 issue