THOMAS PODVIN’S FREELANCE WORK
Freelance writer - translator - Editor

Belgium may be a small country, but it's big on talent. Like Benoit Franquet, a master of musical composition, who's delivered a 24-carat debut with "Zero Gold".
Immersed in classical music from an early age, Franquet has become one of the leader's of house and techno music. He's wrote a number of early club anthems at his own studio, including 'I'll Be Right Here" and "Angel". Later, he signed with the respected UK label Bedrock Music and released another hit single "Apollo Vibes" under the pseudonym Pole Folder. After 18 months in production, Franquet released his first full album of material, Zero Gold in May 2005 which was immediately boosted by DJs round the globe.
Distributed in China by Hinote Records, this release is far more that the usual sequencer sounds and beats. "Zero and Gold represent two human fears," says Franquet, "which characterize the main theme of the album. Human fears govern our acts more than our own desires."
Zero Gold is a mix of electronic music, pop, atmospheric melodies and the human voice. Several tracks ("Before It All Changes" and "Fall In Violet") are clearly influenced by film. "When I was younger," Franquet says, "I was composing for imaginary movies. This vision of the music is strong in me and this feeling came naturally during the creative process."
In the studio, Franquet starts with the drum track, later adding melody with a bass line and pads. Then he wraps the music with mental elements, "the mainstream melodic atmosphere is present but the psychedelic side makes it special, and allows listeners to feel the music on different levels."
And feel it you will. This CD is richly rewarding, whatever camp you're in.
Asks Franquet: "Is this a psychedelic pop album or a progressive electronic album. I let you choose."

(c) that's Shanghai Magazine
Shanghai Chief editor: Steven Crane
August 2005 issue

Guanzhou Chief editor: Christopher Cottrell
August 2005 issue

For a decade now, British clubbers have been dancing to the punkoid soul of duo Basement Jaxx. Make no mistake, when Brixton natives Felix Buxton and Simon Ratcliff gig, they're hands on: hands on funky guitars, keyboards, drums, computer and decks. The wonder is that they could fit this explosion of good vibes and exhilarating energy, the essence of the Jaxx live experience, on one compilation.
the singles features 15 studio tracks culled from their three UK Top 5 albums: Remedy, Rooty and Kish Kash with all the big hit: "Romeo," "Red Alert," "Oh My Gosh," "Bingo Bango" plus their new single, "U Don't Know Me."
If we had to come up with one word to describe the Jaxx style, it would have to be "collage". The band's brand of audio-visual art, from CD covers to poster designs to website (check out basementjaxx.co.uk) combines, well, you name it. So does their music, a patchwork of soul, punk, Motown, electro, Latin funk, samba and house, not necessarily in that order. Adding to the monstrous assortment of beats are guest vocals by KeLe Le Roc, Lisa Kekaula and Glamma Kid among others.
2005 Grammy Award winners for Best Electronic/Dance Album Kish Kash, Basement Jaxx are currently touring the UK. Book your flight now!

(c) that's Shanghai Magazine
Chief editor: Steven Crane
August 2005 issue

Guanzhou Chief editor: Christopher Cottrell
August 2005 issue

This is not a Beatles tribute. But there's no denying that this Shanghai band of four is greatly influenced by Brit-pop.
Without trying to pigeonhole Crystal Butterfly (Shui Jin Die), pop is actually the best definition of their sensual brand of music. But pop with some range, from uplifting ballads ("Your Sky No Rain", "Float Down" in English), to light rock ("Judy's Too") and more sonic-laden tracks (hidden track "Fuzzy"). You'll find it all on this debut album.
So what makes this release especially Shanghaiese? Talent. A lot of bands in the city have similar influences and play in similar styles. What makes the Butterflies stand out is the ability to write catchy melodies that capture the listener on first hearing. There's nothing dark about Magical Mystery Tour. It is a feel-good record especially enjoyable in summer. The band's promised to release a second record called Fantasy Forest soon. Can't wait!

(c) that's Shanghai Magazine
Chief editor: Steven Crane
August 2005 issue

Guanzhou Chief editor: Christopher Cottrell
August 2005 issue

Grammy Award nominees The Crystal Method toured China last month and stopped in Shanghai for an impressive gig at La Fabrique.
The Las Vegas-based band has been mixing and sampling on the international electronic scene for a decade now. Community Service Volume 2 gathers a selection of break-beat tracks, along with new remixes of songs by The Doors, the Smashing Pumpkins and New Order. Experimental they are, and though less accessible than the Prodigy, the duo, Jordan and Kirkland, are certainly skilled with sequencers and beat boxes.
You probably won't play this American answer to the Chemical Brothers and Aphex Twin at home in your living room, but you'll be requesting them on the club floors.

(c) that's Shanghai Magazine
Chief editor: Steven Crane
August 2005 issue

Guanzhou Chief editor: Christopher Cottrell
August 2005 issue

Some time in the late 90's, Aussie Kylie Minogue discovered that success rhymes with sex. And she's been flashing her pants ever since the release of the single "Spinning Around" in 2000 in the hope that her body will continue to sell music. It seems to work; tunes like "Can't get You Out Of My Head" and "In Your Eyes" received a lot of play in UK and in Australia. A lot of play. Her fit, sensual body appears to be a big marketing asset for admittedly catchy dance-pop melodies ("Slow").
Prior to 2000, in the mid-nineties, she was in her girl-next-door period (on the soap Neighbours) followed by a long dry spell. Indeed, at this time, who would have guessed that a girl dressed in casual attire singing boring dated tunes would ever get this big?
Those who value nostalgia will eke some pleasure from Ultimate Kylie, a two-CD release compiling her best, from "The Locomotion" to "Please Stay". One wonders what she will reveal next to keep the public satisfied.

(c) that's Shanghai Magazine
Chief editor: Steven Crane
August 2005 issue

Guanzhou Chief editor: Christopher Cottrell
August 2005 issue

Think of J-pop and artists like Utada, Amuro or Hamasaki immediately come to mind. This is unfair. God's gift to Japanese pop is Hitomi Yaida. The voice of the 27-years old female singer (and composer, lyric writer, producer and mixer!) is heavenly, far from the high-pitched wobbles of the teen idols who overpopulate the archipelago.
More rock than pop (comparable to Nippon rock singer Shiina Ringo), Yaida (aka Yaiko in the UK) vibrato vocaling is wonderfully accompanied by distorted guitars and a solid base line on "My Sweet Darlin" and "I Am Here Saying Nothing." The musical chemistry is, in a word, perfect.
Singles Collection, released in China by EMI, is a good start to discover what Yaida calls "heart rock" or music that comes with a lot of soul. This is one of the best J-pop records released this year.

(c) that's Shanghai Magazine
Chief editor: Steven Crane
August 2005 issue

Guanzhou Chief editor: Christopher Cottrell
August 2005 issue

Anybody already familiar with the story and the characters from the eponymous Japanese comics and video game might wonder if there's any point watching this uninspired HK blockbuster shot in Japan. Who cares? The film's investors, of course. The marketing tsunami preceding the release managed to brainwash moviegoers to go to cinemas in droves.
Uninspired though it is, the film does spark an interest in car racing. Directors Lau and Mak (Infernal Affairs) have framed, edited and photographed some gripping car stunts. The "D" in the title stands for drifting – a racing term where turns are negotiated at full speed while skidding on the rear wheels, a technique that is fortunately fully exploited here.
While the car stunts work, the directors downshift when it comes to characterization and storytelling. The insipid childish-love story, is like an overlong MTV spot, and the over-abundant visual effects (freeze frames and split screens) slow the pace down. The acting sucks too. Main drifter Jay Chou is monolithic in his own vehicle. Next to him, young bourgeois Edison Chen looks like Tom Hanks. And that's no compliment. Sure, kids and schoolgirls left the theater with big satisfied smiles, but this reviewer was itching for the exit.
A sequel has already been announced, Initial D 2: Duel in the Alps!

(c) that's Shanghai Magazine
Chief editor: Steven Crane
August 2005 issue

Guanzhou Chief editor: Christopher Cottrell
August 2005 issue

Uber cool Brad Pitt and ultra sexy Angelina Jolie star as professional killers in this action comedy inspired by The War of the Roses and True Lies.
On screen (and off?) the pair are fakes, that is to say they take on aliases to cover their tracks. After being set up, each of the couple discovers he/she has been living with a killer for five or six years; still neither lose his/her cool, make up or hairdo.
On paper, the plot and cast must have sounded like a winning combo. On screen, however, the sum of the parts is little more than a nicely-packaged farce that strains to entertain for 120 minutes.
Fresh and fun; forgettable and silly, the chemistry between Pitt and Jolie is the film's main asset and their rumored romance off screen was nothing if not a brilliant marketing coup.

(c) that's Shanghai Magazine
Chief editor: Steven Crane
August 2005 issue

Guanzhou Chief editor: Christopher Cottrell
August 2005 issue