Lucky Cat

Steampunk Opium Wars

2012-01-29T10:44:00.003Z

Thursday 16th Feb, 6:30-10pm
National Maritime Museum, Greenwich

Lates: Anna Chen Presents 'Traders' : Steampunk Opium Wars

A satirical extravaganza about China, Britain, imperialism and drugs in the 19th century in verse & music. See narco-capitalists & Chinese lawmakers slug it out, take part in a poetry slam, and watch the weirdest tea ceremony ever.

I am going to be DJing at this fantastically eclectic evening. I'll be playing Chinese music from the 1920s and 30s (Zhou Hsuan, Bai Guang etc) and a few opium themed tracks.

Hope that you can come and play on 16th Feb. It's free but you do need to reserve tickets:
http://www.rmg.co.uk/visit/events/lates-anna-chen-presents-traders

More info on the event:
Ann Chen's Blog
Facebook Page

Dragon Mix Podcast

2012-01-28T16:12:00.002Z

Due to a technical failure the mix was not played on Resonance today. Here's the podcast, hope you enjoy.

Dragon Mix

2012-01-28T14:30:00.004Z

Today's Dragon Mix Playlist:

The Dragon King - from Monkey: Journey To The West "Instrumentals" CD promo track (Damon Albarn and co.)
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon - Tan Dun and Yo Yo Ma fromt he soundtrack of the film of the same name
Enter the Dragon - The Upsetters (from the LP King Fu Meets the Dragon a Lee Perry classic)
Theme from Enter the Dragon
Escape from Dragon House - Dengue Fever
Pete's Dragon - Excerpt from the Disney Read-A-Long record
Double Dragon - Soundtrack excerpt fromt he classic arcade game
Riding the Dragon - Paul Robeson
Dragon (Wood) - Shanghai Traditional Orchestra (from the CD Chinese Feng Shui Music
Dragon Weapon - Don Drummond
Exit the Dragon - The Upsetters
Dragon Dance - Festical celebration - Han Shin Chinese Folk & Danse Ensemble
Dragons Play With Pearl - track from Cantonese Mental Music LP
Walk Like a Dragon - Byron Lee and the Dragonnaires
OST Pete's Dragon - song from the Disney film of the same name (starring an old Mickey Rooney)
The Final Sword Battle - The Dragon vs The Transience - from the Tsui Hark film Seven Swords
Ba Xing Bao Xi He He Xi - Twins and friends

Dragon Mix on Today's Lucky Cat

2012-01-28T10:24:00.004Z

On today's show I'll be playing my deadly dragon mix to welcome the Year of the Dragon. Remember the old arcade game Double Dragon? We also had this on the Atari, classic fighting game, happy times!

Tune in at 3.30pm UK time on 104.4FM in London or via www.resonancefm.com anywhere.

Podcast and Playlist RIP Etta James

2012-01-23T22:45:00.003Z

Here's the podcast of Lucky Cat Series 6 Episode 11.
The show starts off as a repeat as for the first time in 6 years I was running late! I arrive about 8 mins in to pay tribute to the late great Etta James and wish you all Gong Xi Fa Cai.

Playlist:

Tell Mama - Etta James (Chess LP Security)
Tough Lover - Etta James (R&B Greats CD, Not Now label)
Hey Henry - Etta James (Modern label 7")
Security - Etta James (Chess LP Security)
Pushover - Etta James (Argo label 7")
WOMAN - Etta James (Chess 2XLP The Sweetest Peaches: The Chess Years)
All I Could Do Was Cry
Welcome Happiness- Tsui Ping & Friends (EMI label 7" EP)
Year of Happiness from the of Folk Instrumental Music (China Records 10" LP)
The Willow Plays Like a Zither from Chinese Opera Songs & Music (Folkways label LP)
Down in the Basement - Etta James & Sugarpie De Santo
Nula Dua Mumur Mumur from Sumatra of Today and Yesteryear (Claude Jannel LP)
Please, Please, Please - James Brown (R&B Greats CD, Not Now label)

Happy Year of the Dragon

2012-01-23T21:13:00.001Z

Gong Hei Fat Choi! Gong Xi Fa Cai!

2012-01-23T13:13:00.002Z

農曆新年 Gong Hey Fat Choi by Quadrilles

Gong Hei Fat Choi! Gong Xi Fa Cai everyone!

Here's a free download from long-time Lucy Cat listeners Quadrilles.
Check out the cool accompanying video featuring the Yellow Dragon Lion Dancing group.

Red Light Revolution

2012-01-19T20:56:00.003Z

I mentioned last year that Terracotta Distribution were going to release China's first sex shop comedy feature film Red Light Revolution. The time is now, the revolution is almost upon us and it will not only be televised but on the big screen too.

The film, directed by Sam Voutas (a Greek Australian who has lived in Beijing for many years), focuses on a group of guys who open a Beijing sex shop when their regular day jobs don't bring in enough cash. Apparently Beiijng really does have the most sex shops per square mile than any other city!
The comedy mainly arises from Chinese tradition colliding with modern sexual values.
The film was voted audience favourite at last year's Terracotta Film Festival and now Terracotta will bring the film back to The Prince Charles for one night only! Just in time for Chinese New Year, get yourself down to the cult Leicetser Square cinema for a few chuckles on Monday 23rd of Jan at 9pm.

DVD release will follow in Feb.

I'll be giving my review of the film my Resonance radio show Lucky Cat (Saturdays 3.30pm 104.4 Resonance FM).

Lucky Cat S6 Ep10 (14th Jan 2012) Playlist & Podcast - Happy New Year!

2012-01-16T20:54:00.005Z

Happy 2012 to you all. For the first episode of the year I was helped out in the studio by my daughter.
Hope you enjoy the podcast, here's the playlist:

When Are You Coming Again - Miss Mary Leung
Auld Lang Syne - Miss Carmelita Gevar
Lady Lan Hua-Hua - Wong Ching (from the CD White Snow in Early Spring available here: www.hugocd.com)
Maria - The Mighty Sparrow (RCA LP, pictured)
Teke Song - from Discover Indonesia, Smythsonian Folkways CD
Unchain my Heart - Nancy Sit (7" EP, Squirrel Records)
Megumi Project - Miss Megoo & Yahman Allstars feat Derrick Morgan (10" Vinyl only) available here: www.johnjohnrecords.com)
Gong Ensemble Piece - Sumatran song, Smythsonian Folkways CD
Blue Lagoon - Miss Megoo & Yahman Allstars (10" Vinyl only)
Leanna - Stranger Cole (PAMA 7")
Pepito de Mallorca - Trio Guadalajera (7")
Gondang si Monag-Monag- from Discover Indonesia, Smythsonian Folkways CD

Chinese New Year Films @ BFI London

2012-01-07T11:46:00.003Z

The British Film Institute are showing some films to celebrate Chinese New Year. Quite a cool and diverse selection; I am really keen to see the award winning Ann Hui film A Simple Life. China Culture Connect will present a series of documentaries in the Unseen China screening which also looks really interesting. Most of all I am bowled over at the prospect of seeing Woman Basketball Player No. 5, a technicolor 1957 Shanghai film by director Xie Jin.
If you heard my on air review of Confucius starring Chow Yun Fat then you'll know I wasn't a fan. Beautifully art directed but overblown and rather tedious with scholarly name dropping a go-go.

Films are showing in February, details here: www.bfi.org.uk/whatson/bfi_southbank/events/chinese_new_year

Cha Cha's Chinese Bass Culture Music Picks

2012-01-03T20:31:00.000Z

Happy New Year everyone. Already looking like this is going to be a fantastic year for my favourite Chinese singer Cha Cha!
Check out this fantastic playlist she has compiled for the Red Bull Music Academy web site:

www.redbullmusicacademy.com/magazine/cha-cha-chinese-countdown

Cha Cha and MC Webber's new demo is out now, take a listen to some cool Chinese Hip Hop here:
http://soundcloud.com/chachachina/prod-chacha-webber

Cha Cha and Jay Soul have also been teaming up again so expect some killer beats and soulful singing in your lug holes pretty soon.

I'm still on an Xmas break from Resonance FM, will be back broadcasting Sat 14th Jan. Zaijian!

Woman of 2011: Carina Lau

2011-12-29T20:53:00.002Z

Apologies for the break in blogging; down to cold/flu and seasonal festivities.
My Woman of the Year for 2011 has got to be Carina Lau. I really enjoyed her menacing performance in Tsui Hark's Detective Dee and also her comedic turn in Let the Bullets Fly. In her honour, here's a lovely song.

Lucky Cat S6 Ep9 (10th Dec 2011) Playlist & Podcast - Movie Special

2011-12-13T21:12:00.005Z

This week it was a movie special. Virginie Selavy (Editor of Electric Sheep magazine & member of The Actionettes) joined me to discuss East Asian film releases of 2011. Virginie brought in some her 45s to play and it was great fun listening to her soulful selection.
Some of the films discussed were:
Villain
Sparrow
The Ghost Cat and the Shamisen
Gallants (Teddy Robin, pictured, gives an excellent comedic performance in Gallants)
Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame
Woochi the Demon Slayer

I Wanna Know - Sugarpie De Santo (Checker label 45)
I Told You So - The Chantals (Carlton label 45)
Take A Piece of My Heart - Mahalia Saunders (Hortense Ellis on Upsetter label 45)
Something's Gotta Hold On Me - Don & Alleyne Cole
The Entertainer - Tony Clarke (Chess label 45)
Burnt Toast & Black Coffee - Mike Pedicin (Gusto label 45)
You Don't Care - The Techniques (Treasure Isle 45)

Sat 10th Dec: East Asian Cinema in 2011

2011-12-08T16:51:00.003Z

Electric Sheep Magazine editor Virginie Selavy joins Zoë Baxter in the studio to discuss the East Asian film releases of 2011. The Xmas TV schedule will also be scrutinised for any East Asian cinema offerings.
Zoë and Virginie will be playing 45s from their collections - expect Reggae, Soul and 60's girl groups.

This week's dim sum lunch box will contain a new twist on a British classic; the bacon sandwich.

See also: www.electricsheepmagazine.com

Set your dial to 104.4FM this Saturday at 3.30pm or tune in via www.resonancefm.com

Lucky Cat S6 Ep8 (3rd Dec 2011) Playlist & Podcast

2011-12-07T20:20:00.005Z

Last Saturday I was joined by the fabulously flamboyant saxophonist Megumi Mesaku. We talked about Ska in Japan and Megumi's musical journey; from playing the sax in a marching band as a youngster, playing with Ska bands the Top Cats, the Trojans and Latin/Ska combo Ska Cubano to releasing her own material. For her new 10" 45 vinyl record Megumi has collaborated with some legendary Reggae musicians.
We also talked about Megumi's home town Soma City which is in Fukushima. Megumi has been raising money for Soma City since the Tsunami hit earlier this year. So far she has raised an impressive £7,000 and last month she returned to Soma City to see the effects of the Tsunami for herself and to give the Mayor the donations. Megumi is still fund raising and needs your help! This Saturday 10th Dec please go along to the Kimono Girls' Jumble Sale this Saturday to buy some lovely hand made gifts for Xmas and support a very worthy cause. 11am - 6pm Pacific Social Club, No 8 Clarence Road, London E5 8HB.
Facebook Event Page.

Miss Megoo and the Yahman Allstars' 10 45 is out now and available from JohnJohn Records.

Feel So Good - Shirley and Lee
Tokyo Shot - The Ska Flames
Piel Canela - Ska Cubano
What a Wonderful World - Miss Megoo and the Yahman Allstars(Miss Megoo (Megumi) with Rico Rodriguez)
Soma Bota - traditional music from Soma City
Blue Lagoon - Miss Megoo and the Yahman Allstars

Megumi Mesaku (Miss Megoo) on this Saturday's Show

2011-11-28T22:33:00.004Z

This Saturday (3rd December) I will have a special guest live in the studio: Megumi Mesaku aka Miss Megoo. Megumi is a fantastic saxophone player who has played with Ska Cubano, the Trojans and the Topcats. She has now embarked on a solo project, composing music and collaborating with different artists for The Megumi Project.
I will be chatting to Megumi about her new project, playing her brand new 10" record (which is a collaboration with the legendary Rico Rodriguez) and asking her more about the Kimono Girls' charity work following the earthquake in Japan earlier this year.

Links:
Megumi's Facebook page, Myspace and Youtube.
See also: Big Jay McNeely (a big musical influence of Mehumi's).

Tune in on Saturday 3rd December @ 3.30pm (UK) via 104.4FM in London or www.resonancefm.com anywhere.

Lucky Cat Christmas Party 16th Dec

2011-11-28T22:24:00.004Z

Continuing my regular DJ spot at Mango Landin' I am throwing a special Christmas Party with a guest appearance by the fabulous Black Elvis! Should be a real treat. Hope to see you there (it's free so what are you dithering about?!).

Facebook event Page
Mango Landin' web site

Lucky Cat S6 Ep7 (26th Nov 2011) Playlist & Podcast

2011-11-27T16:58:00.001Z

Photo taken Shanghai 2011, myself and Cha Cha, copyright ZB.

Here's yesterday's show which features my interview with the amazingly talented singer and musician Cha Cha. I really enjoyed speaking with Cha Cha - the original interview was about an hour and a half so I had to cut to a lot of material but I hope I kept in the essence of Cha Cha's creative positivity and passion for music. Cha Cha also made some insightful comments about life in China, especially in a big city like Shanghai. It was truly a pleasure speaking wither her, I hope that you enjoy listening.
I think I'm a bit of a superfan now! Will bring you all the Cha Cha news as and when I get it, big tings a gwaan for this lady...

Playlist:

Uprooted Sunshine mix track - Cha Cha
Money Slaves - Cha Cha with Disrput (Bass Shelter EP on Jahtari label)
One Day You'll Know - Cha Cha & Rankin Joe (Randys label 10")
Love is the Drug - Kode 9 Spaceape feat Cha Cha (from the album Black Sun)
神经末梢 (Shen Jing Mo Shao) - AM444 (from the CD album Eye Wonder)
Eye Wonder - AM444 (from the CD album Eye Wonder)
Eye Know - AM444 (from the CD album Eye Wonder)
末日前相见 - Along with Cha Cha (exclusive)
Love song - Cha Cha (Clive Chin production, unreleased)

Exclusive Cha Cha Interview on today's show

2011-11-26T10:32:00.002Z

On today's show check out my exclusive interview with China's premier Reggae and Soul singer Cha Cha.

Based in Shanghai, Cha Cha has collaborated with a variety of international artists - The Bug, Kode 9, Rankin Joe (for Clive Chin's Randys label), Adrian Sherwood and Vibronics. Earlier this year Cha Cha teamed up with Dutch producer Jay Soul to form AM444 for the excellent funk/soul/dub album Eye Wonder.

Currently Cha Cha is at the Red Bull Music Academy in Madrid - the first ever mainland Chinese participant!

Recent collaborations have been with Chinese Hip Hop MCs and producers.

Earlier this year Cha Cha visited the UK for the first time and I recorded an exclusive interview where Cha Cha talks about her musical roots and the emerging Shanghai bass culture music scene.

Listen Live today at 3.30pm (UK) on Resonance 104.4FM in London or via www.resonancefm.com anywhere.

See also:
Subculture Shanghai
Cha Cha on Red Bull Academy Radio

In Berlin? Cha Cha is performing at the Worldtronics Festival on 1st December with Disrupt - Reach!

Playlist & podcast for today's show uploaded shortly....

Lucky Cat S6 Ep6 (19th Nov 2011) Playlist & Podcast

2011-11-21T22:26:00.008Z

For Episode 6 I am joined by musician, journalist and crate digger Chris Menist to discuss his forthcoming Dust to Digital compilation of Vietnamese music. Chris kindly brought in a killer selection of 45s. The 2 Vietnamese tunes are particularly beautiful, really looking forward to the compilation (should be out on vinyl - yey - in January 2012). Check out Chris' blog for info on upcoming DJ dates.

Playlist:

Hala Hala A Go Go - Wong Ching Yian (Singapore 7")
Chris Menist's 45s:
Black A Black - The Eathopians (Crab Label 7")
Expensive Gasoline, Again! - Ream Daranoi (Thai 7", answer record to Expensive Gasoline 8 Announcers label)
Neu Co Xa Nhau - Phuong Tam (Continental label, Vietnamese 7")
Doc Chiec Tung Cau - Doc Tau (Continental label, Vietnamese 7")
Beyond the Last Mountain OST - Sohail Rana (EMI 7", Pakistani film score)

Paul Au's Vietnamese 45s

2011-11-17T09:09:00.004Z

When I interviewed Paul Au at his record shop in Hong Kong I found out that he was originally from Vietnam. Paul was one of the many refugees who fled Vietnam for Hong Kong during the war in the 1970s. Paul had already been collecting records in Vietnam but had to leave them all when he left for Hong Kong. Over the years he has managed to collect all the records back again. These were not for sale but Paul was keen for me to take photos of the 45s to share online.
This Saturday crate digger, journalist, and music compiler Chris Menist (Soundway, Finders Keepers) will join me on Lucky Cat radio show. Chris is currently preparing a compilation on Vietnamese music for Dust to Digital and I hope he will bring some Vietnamese music to play on the show.
For now, here are Paul Au's recollected Vietnamese vinyl treasures:

Lucky Cat S6 Ep5 (12th Nov 2011) - Edine Kwok's Mix

2011-11-15T12:17:00.007Z

Here's Saturday's show. Please see my previous post for the playlist. Edine Kwok pictured. Thank you Edine for a lovely mixture of music for Lucky Cat.
Check out the Tramgirl Karaoke Facebook page here:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tramgirl-Karaoke-Club/291404880888315

In this episode I blathered on about food I sampled in Shanghai. Highlights were Taiwanese peanut butter ice cream and Xinjiang lamb skewers (pictured above).
I also frequented bubble tea / crazy drinks emporium Happy Lemon. Cute graphics + ice milk tea with taro = happy.

Lucky Cat Sat 12th Nov Playlist

2011-11-12T09:25:00.005Z

Today Edine Kwok of the Marshmallow Kisses and Tramgirl Karaoke Club contributes an exclusive mix for Lucky Cat! Edine has has chosen some tracks which reflect her musical influences and she also shares some new tunes from her latest project Tramgirl Karaoke Club.
ZB's selection:

ChaCha riddim - Vibronics & Cha Cha (exclusive mp3) HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY Uprooted Sunshine crew!
Nanjing Rd 2011, Shanghai soundscape recorded by ZB 2011
Echoes of the Old Lanes - from CD The Sounds of Shanghai
The Alphabet - Astley Dixon (from the CD Noah Found Grace Jamaican Gospel, Social Music Records)

Edine's Mix:

Maskopet Movie - Tramgirl Karaoke Club feat Maskopet
Lalala I love your wongkarwaiish - Tramgirl Karaoke Club feat Emilio Jose
回忆旋转舞步 － The Marshmallow Kisses
爱的开始 －姚莉 (Yao Lee)
Ce petitie coeur - Francoise Hardy
Shine - Dahlia
爱情 I Know - Pink A
Talk to her - Tramgirl Karaoke Club feat - Treasure Teeth

ZB again:

It's Soon Be Done - Otis Wright (from the CD Noah Found Grace, compiled by WFMU DJ Kevin Nutt)

The Grand Masters

2011-11-06T08:40:00.001Z

Lucky Cat S6 Ep4 (5th Nov 2011) - Beijing Audio & HK 45s

2011-11-06T08:18:00.003Z

Here's yesterday's show. Please see my previous post for the playlist. Photos shown here were taken in Jingshan Park, Beijing.

Lucky Cat Sat 5th Nov Playlist

2011-11-05T11:34:00.004Z

Today's playlist:

Audio recorded in Jingshan Park, Beijing April 2011
Can't Buy Me Love - Cantonese Version of the Beatles track
When I Saw Her Standing There - Cantonese Version of the Beatles track
Lonely Weekend - Kitty Lam (Diamond label 45)
Wonderful Life - Chang Loo (EMI EP, pictured)
Dim Moon - Chang Loo (EMI EP, pictured)
? - Lucky Records 45 (pictured)
? - HK EMI 45 (pictured, red/black/white cover)
Love of Rose - Kitty Lam (Diamond label 45)
Mama - Chang Loo (EMI EP, pictured)
Girls are Flowers OST - Connie Chan (from the 1966 film 姑娘十八一朵花, OST EP, pictured)
My Fantoms - Hong Kong in the 60's
Arcade Addict - Disrupt (Jahtari)

A big THANK YOU to Hong Kong in the 60's for their amazing jingle.

Lucky Cat every Saturday 3.30pm (UK) 104.4FM www.resonancefm.com
Podcast to follow....

Korean Film Festival in London NOW

2011-11-03T21:21:00.002Z

www.koreanfilm.co.uk

Also showing at the ICA is Hong-jin Na's follow up to the marvellously tense The Chaser; Yellow Sea. Looks like another nail-biting, hands in front of face thriller!

Lucky Cat S6 Ep3 (29th Oct 2011) Playlist & Podcast

2011-11-02T18:51:00.006Z

Image from KanZeOn: A mystical journey from the timeless to the modern looking at the role of sound in Japanese Buddhism
Dir: Neil Cantwell, Tim Grabham. Showing at Zipangu Film Festival.

For Episode 3 I am joined by writer and film curator Jasper Sharp to discuss his forthcoming book the Historical Dictionary of Japanese Cinema and Zipangu Film Festival.
Playlist:

Excerpt from Shaolin vs Evil Dead (Get well Gordon Liu)
Mad Witch - Dave Gardner (Buffalo Bop Horror Hop CD)
Lajabless Woman - Lord Executer(Supernatural Calypso CD)
Satori Part 1 - The Flower Travelling Band (from the album Satori)
Tokyo Nostalgia - Jiro Shinkawa (Star Parade Vol 9 King Label LP)
Pictures of Adolf Again - Jim O'Rourke (The Soundtrack to The United Red Army)
Doraemon - Doraemon OST

Paul Au - a True Vinyl Hero (photos part 2)

2011-11-02T18:04:00.005Z

One More Day - Cha Cha +WordySoulspeak EP

2011-11-01T11:37:00.002Z

Cha Cha+WordySoulspeak's new EP One More Day is on soundcloud now (free download)
http://soundcloud.com/chachachina/sets/one-more-day-chacha/

ChaCha and Beijing DJ Wordy and producer Soulspeak team up for this Hip Hop/Soul EP.

Go Cha Cha! Great title track, do your ears a favour and download it!

Cha Cha news - Europe here she comes:

Monday 14th November - Montana Sagrada with ChaCha (live) - Club Nasti, Madrid

Thursday 1st December - Disrupt & ChaCha (live) - Worldtronics Festival, Berlin

Halloween Bento

2011-10-30T16:38:00.004Z

Pumpkin head skeleton man made from carrots, cheddar moon and stars on a bed of rice flavoured/coloured with sesame oil and dark soya sauce.

Faceless avocado witch with nori seaweed hat on a bed of rice seasoned with rice vinegar and spring onion.

For more accomplished spooky bento see: www.kawaiikakkoiisugoi.com

Jasper Sharp on Today's Show

2011-10-29T10:26:00.006+01:00

Today I will be joined by writer and film curator Jasper Sharp to discuss his forthcoming book Historical Dictionary of Japanese Cinema and Zipangu Film Festival.

An expert on Japanese cinema, Jasper has written several books and is co-editor of the website Midnight Eye.
Jasper is now the director and head programmer of Zipangu Fest, the premiere festival in the UK showcasing Japanese films, and the co-director and co-programmer (with Chris Magee) of the Shinsedai New Generation Japanese Film Festival in Toronto.
He's also a bit of a foodie with a love of fungi and making his own berry wines. I will be bringing some ghostly bento to the studio for us to sample in this week's Dim Sum Lunch Box.

See also:
Upcoming Elctric Sheep Magazine Event An Evening of Subversive Japanese Cinema
Kôji Wakamatsu’s Sex Jack + Jasper Sharp and Julian Ross in conversation.
Tuesday 15th November, 7pm @ The Horse Hospital. Details here.

My Zipangu Pick:
The Ghost Cat and the Mysterious Shamisen
Back from the dead, a rare pre-war horror especially subtitled for Zipangu Fest
Dir: Kiyohiko Ushihara,1938 @ The ICA
Sunday 20 November 2011 at 3:00pm
Thursday 24 November 2011 at 8:45pm

Tune in today 3.30pm Resonance 104.4FM in London and www.resonancefm.com everywhere. Podcast to follow in the next few days. Don't forget for all the latest Lucky Cat news and updates you can join the Facebook Group or email luckycatzoe at gmail.com.

Lucky Cat S6 Ep2 (22nd Oct 2011) Playlist & Podcast

2011-10-24T20:19:00.007+01:00

For Episode 2 of Series 6 I am joined by actress Lucy Sheen to talk about her career and upcoming project In The Mirror which also features solo performances by Anna Chen and Veronica Needa.
To book tickets please go to: The New Diorama Theatre web site

China Night - Mary Leung (Hotel Miramar Hong Kong commemorative 7" picture disc, bought in Paul Au's shop)
Autumn Wind - Zhou Xuan (Pathe 100 CD)
Always Together - Stephen Cheng (Sunshine label reissue 7" 45)
Soon You'll Be Gone - The Blues Busters (Sunshine label reissue 7" 45)
Nursery rhymes - by Shanghai children (from the CD Sounds of Shanghai by China Record Company)
Sans blouse et sans pantalons - Fonseca et ses anges noir (7" 45 EP Pathe label)

I finally own the only original Rocksteady Reggae tune sung in Cantonese recorded in Jamaica. OK so it's not original vinyl (this record is very rare and £300 + I think). Reissue is good enough for me - I've still been waiting 7 years to see one of these up for sale! I think this was originally a Taiwanese folk song, The Girls of Ali San, here's the lovely Carrie Koo Mei singing it:

Apparently Francis Yip does a version too - if anyone has on mp3 I'd love a copy. Please email me luckycatzoe at gmail.com
Thank you.

Lucy Sheen on Today's show

2011-10-22T12:37:00.004+01:00

Today I will be joined by actress Lucy Sheen to discuss her upcoming show There are Two Perfectly Good Me's: One Dead, the Other Unborn.
This is part of a 3 woman solo show produced by True Heart Theatre, IN THE MIRROR: Three women, three stories from Chinese diaspora. Lucy, Anna Chen and Veronica Needa will each be performing solo shows at the New Diaroma Theatre from 9th to 12th November 2011.

I will be asking Lucy all about the new production and her acting career.

Today's dim sum lunch box contains some Tawianese fish balls - new recipe, all organic - courtesy of Daney Hsu from Borough Market.

Tune in today 3.30pm Resonance 104.4FM in London and www.resonancefm.com everywhere. Podcast to follow in the next few days. Don't forget for all the latest Lucky Cat news and updates you can join the Facebook Group or email luckycatzoe at gmail.com.

Lucky Cat S6 Ep1 (15th Oct 2011) Playlist & Podcast

2011-10-16T17:50:00.006+01:00

In this episode I recount tales from my HK trip including my magical visit to Paul Au's record store in Kowloon. Includes and interview with Paul Au.

Batman - Lynn Tait and the Jets (reissue 7" on Merritone, subsidiary of Federal Records. Distributed by Japanese label Dub Store)
I Love Bat Girl - Josephine Siao Fong Fong and most probably Lui Kei (mp3 from softfilm)
La Novia - The Peanuts
Dance of the Yi Pipa - Pipa Solo from the 10" LP Year of Happiness, Folk Instrumental Music (China Record Company)
Music Addict - Solo Banton (Jahtari EP)

Mentions:
Korean high-school horror Death Bell is released in the UK by Terror-Cotta and on sale now, check: terracottadistribution.com/films/death-bell
If you want to find out more about China's Got Talent UK look here.

Paul Au - a True Vinyl Hero (photos part 1)

2011-10-15T12:16:00.004+01:00

I ♥ Hong Kong

2011-10-14T16:56:00.013+01:00

Today's show will mostly be about my 3 days in Hong Kong earlier this year.
Here are a few reasons why I loved it so much:

Tony Leung was at the airport to meet me when I arrived (kind of).

The food is soooooooo good. Here's the meal I had at the Islam Food Centre. The veal dumplings were truly divine. Thanks to Phil and Alice for taking me and quick mention for Mango Vine where I saw a post about the restaurant which aroused my interest.

The stunning view after travelling up the hill on the peak tram. Pretending I was in Love is a many Splendoured Thing and trying to trek around to walk off the 2 dinners I had the night before:

Dinner # 1: Nyona style Malaysian chicken curry with roti and greens @ Asia Family, Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay.

Dinner # 2 @ Yung Kee Restaurant, the classic Roast Pork on Rice

It's not all hustle and bustle, I took some time to chill out on Lama island (birthplace of Chow Yun Fat and hippy idyll):

My last meal in HK was dim sum at the airport. Airport food - yeah I know, what you're thinking. But this is Hong Kong! The bar is set a lot higher, the food was pretty damn good. Check out these cute hedgehog shaped dim sum, yum yum:

One of the best things about my stay in Hong Kong was going to Paul Au's incredible 2nd hand vinyl record shop in Sham Shui Po. I will save my photos for a new post, coming right up....

Tune in to today's show for all my HK memories and vinyl delights.
UK time 3.30pm Resonance 104.4FM in London or via www.resonancefm.com anywhere. Podcast to follow.

Lucky Cat Series 6 Starts This Sat 15th Oct

2011-10-11T20:25:00.003+01:00

This Saturday I will return to Resonance 104.4FM for the 6th series of Lucky Cat.
In the first episode I will be playing my interview with vinyl hero Paul Au of Paul’s Records Hong Kong, recorded earlier this year when I visited HK. Expect to hear some of the vinyl delights I picked up at the crate digger's paradise that is Paul's Records.
Lotus seed paste hedgehog shaped dumplings are in the Dim Sum Lunch Box.

Tune in @ 3.30pm Saturday 15th on Resonance 104.4FM in London or via www.resonancefm.com anywhere. Podcast to follow.

A HUGE THANK YOU to the talented Josue Menjivar for his beautiful illustration for rseries 6. Check out his blog: www.freshbrewedillustration.com

East Asian Films at the BFI London Film Festival Oct 2011

2011-09-26T13:44:00.009+01:00

I've had a quick scan of the World Cinema section of the BFI London Film Festival programme and am excited to see the following films will be shown:

AnDa Union: From the Steppes to the City
A documentary about Mongolian folk music and the way of life in this remote region.
I can recommend this excellent CD: Mongolia - Living Music Of The Steppes).
For more information on the film see: www.andafilm.com

Children Who Chase Lost Voices From Deep Below
Makoto Shinkai's magical anime feature film, read a review here. Sounds heavily Ghibli-influenced.

Cross-talk comedy action caper Let the Bullets Fly starring Chow Yun (I really love you Fatty Fatty) Fat. Directed by Jiang Wen, who also stars along with Ge You, this was a big box office success in East Asia. Set in 1920s mainland China so expect some great mis-en scene and period style dress. Zhou Yun from Bodyguards and Assassins is the female lead (see pic below, great outfit). The film is also supposed to contain some brilliant political satire, heavily veiled in cross-talk and humour. A great opportunity to see this on the big screen, hoping to get tickets for this one.

Also showing are films by HK veteran director Ann Hui, art-house master Jia Zhangke (who produced this award winning movie by Han Jie), a film by Yuya Ishii who recently had a hit here in the UK with Third Windows distributed Sawako Decides and a Tibetan film by Pema Tseden.

For all the London Fim Festival info see: www.bfi.org.uk/lff/
Runs 12th - 27th October 2011 in London.

Happy Mid Autumn Moon Festival

2011-09-12T19:49:00.004+01:00

Some moon based music for ya:

Check out these extravagant Hong Kong mooncakes.

Also this lantern sculpture in HK is amazing (World Record Breaking in fact!): http://youtu.be/-YNtbf1WmUU

I know I'm a little late but the moon still looks spectacular tonight, Happy Autumn everyone.

Regular DJ Spot @ Mango Landin'

2011-09-11T16:55:00.003+01:00

I'll be Djing the third Friday of every month at Mango Landin' in Brixton now. I tend to start off with a more eclectic and East Asian vibe and get into some heavy Reggae later on in the evening. Hope to see you there this Friday 16th Sept, my brother will join me and play a little Hip Hop and Funk.

For directions: www.mangolandin.net

I'm Back Again! Lucky Cat Series 6

2011-09-06T21:45:00.003+01:00

I will be back on Resonance 104.4FM for Lucky Cat Series 6 next month. The first show will air on Saturday 15th October at 3.30pm and I will be on every week up until Chinese New Year in 2012. I'm editing all of my China audio for the new series and was just listening to the recording I made in Paul Au's wonderful record shop - this track by Paula Tsui was playing.

(Photo shows Cha Cha and I @ Shelter Club, Shanghai 2011)

I am very excited to announce I will broadcast an exclusive interview with China's premier Reggae & Soul singer, the hugely talented Cha Cha. Big congratulations to Cha Cha who is the first ever Chinese mainland national to be accepted into the Red Bull Music Academy. Cha Cha will be at the Academy this October, where she will have the opportunity to work with fellow talented musicians, producers and DJs from ll over the world. Maximum Respect to Cha Cha!

Hong Kong Film Week @ Prince Charles

2011-09-06T20:26:00.004+01:00

Apologies for the long absence in posting, I have been en vacance. I'm back now and gearing up for my new radio series (details to follow in my next post). I was alerted to a series of Hong Kong movies showing at the cult Prince Charles cinema in London next week.

First up is Ip Man on 13th September. Donnie Yen is the legendary Ip Man, Bruce Lee's martial arts mentor (though the film is set way before Bruce becomes a pupil and charts the early years in mainland China and the Sino-Japanese war). This is fast becoming a kung fu classic and Ip Man 1 & 2 have raised Donnie Yen's status immensely. If you haven't seen this it would be nice to catch the action (Sammo is action director) on the big screen.

The next film showing is Echoes of the Rainbow (14th September). I actually watched this on my flight to China back in March. I was keen to watch this mainly because of the era it is set - 1969 - cue beehive-style hair dos, transistor radios, cool fabric prints and wonderful vintage mis-en-scene. The cast are not too shabby either: the wonderful Simon Yam and Sandra Ng star as the parents of two very different boys, played by Buzz Chung and Aarif Lee. It's a thoughtful film which has art house tendencies and reminded me a little of the work of Tawianese director Hou Hsiao-Hsien. I'm really glad it will be screened here in the UK as it is not normally the type of Hong Kong film that gets shown here (i.e. it's not martial arts, Triad or cop action). There is a nice reference to HK cinema of the 1960's as the young lad (Big Ears played brilliantly by Buzz Chung) sells photos of Connie Chan Pao Chu and Josephine Siao Fong Fong with faked signatures to raise pocket money cash!
The film's director Alex Law will be giving a Q&A after the film.

Showing on 15th September is Love in a Puff which I don't know too much about but it seems like a fairly silly rom com set in a post-smoking ban HK.

Finally on Friday 16th you have the cops in action in Beast Stalker and my favourite HK heart throb Nicholas Tse 谢霆锋stars! Directed by Dante Lam this is, by all accounts, a very entertaining thriller. Not to be confused with 1998 Dante Lam & Gordon Chan directed classic Beast Cops.

The Festival has been curated by thinkasiathinkhk.com - The Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

Level Up – the work of Gene Luen Yang

2011-07-28T20:58:00.004+01:00

An interesting podcast to check out: Resonance FM's Alex Fitch talks to American cartoonist Gene Luen Yang about his recent comics about games – his graphic novel Level Up and web strip Legends of the Joystick, both illustrated in watercolours by Thien Pham.

Also discussed is the magical realism found in Gene's work - from American Born Chinese to his forthcoming graphic novels about the Boxer Rebellion.

Click here to take a listen

Anna Chen on Chinese Humour - Radio 4

2011-07-10T20:57:00.003+01:00

Anna Chen's radio feature on Chinese humour - Found in Translation - aired yesterday on BBC Radio 4.

Anna talks to American Chinese comic Joe Wong, British academics Dr Ashley Thorpe and Dr Hwee-San-Tan as well as Beijing comic who is still practising the ancient art of cross-talk (xiangsheng). Cross-talk, word play and punning is very interesting - a kind of triple entendre comedy threat!

In fact when I was learning Mandarin this is one of the things that I found really difficult - ideograms/characters will have more than one meaning and the same phonetic sound can have a totally different meaning when given a very slight tonal difference. Aiya! My brain hurts just thinking about it again. My Mandarin never did get past more than menu items and basics (I am ashamed to admit).

When I think of 'Chinese humour' I think more of Cantonese Hong Kong humour and the slap stick comedy found in movies such as Aces Go Places. I also think of Stephen Chow and all of his great comedy films (God of Cookery is my personal favourite)and the Cantonese mo lei tau humour he employs. I had presumed this all stemmed from the theatre and Cantonese opera traditions (which in some ways are comparable to British music hall or American vaudeville satire and entendre).

Mainland Chinese comedy is a bit of an unknown territory and the programme does explore this a little. It seems that the oral tradition of theatre and storytelling were also important. Politics and the Cultural Revolution have meant that comedy in mainland China has not developed in the same way as in Hong Kong. The feature suggests that perhaps because of censorship the traditional method of cross-talk is being favoured to allow comics to joke freely and satirise politics today.

With regards to Chinese mainland cinema I really need to see When the Bullets Fly which is apparently full of cross-talk. I was also intrigued by Red Light Revolution - China's first and only sex shop comedy - which was shown at the Terracotta Film Festival earlier this year. Good news for all who missed it: those lovely people at Terracotta will be distributing it soon in the UK. Watch this space.

If you missed Anna's progamme do tune in via iplayer:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b012f5qj/Found_in_Translation/
It will definitely get you thinking - and also has a nice little interview with British Chinese Elvis impersonator Paul Hyu.

Anna herself tried her hand at stand up comedy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kf-4dHmncU8

All in all an interesting feature which given it's brief time slot of 30mins goes some way to busting a few stereotypes and spring boarding the listener to explore the topic. I wish Radio 4 would use BBC 7 to allow for an extended version of features such as this which could go into more depth.

龙神道 Long Sheng Dao - Chinese Reggae Band

2011-07-07T19:58:00.002+01:00

I've been meaning to investigate this band since Steve Barker (On the Wire) meetioned them to me when I met him in China earlier this year. Their name translates roughly as The Way of the Dragon God I think. Loving the gu zheng Reggae sounds on this track. They also seem to be into uptempo Ska sounds as well. They released their debut album earlier this year. I hope to get hold of a copy to play on Lucky Cat Series 6 (coming to a radio/computer near you soon).

They have a:
Myspace page
and a
Facebook page

Rea more on the Beijing Gig Guide

AM444 Video for 'Eye Wonder'

2011-07-04T21:58:00.002+01:00

Love the video and the track. Been meaning to post this for a while but I was having a real non-computer life - which as the song suggests might be a good idea!

More from the Shanghai crew here: http://subcultureshanghai.com/

Watch this space for new of a Cha Cha interview I'll be recording very soon....

China Visual Festival - Documentary Films

2011-06-29T10:33:00.004+01:00

Looks like an interesting festival, check out: http://chinesevisualfestival.org/
All this weekend in London.

New Mix - DJ set from Electric Sheep Anthology Launch

2011-06-27T20:49:00.002+01:00

Electric Sheep Anthology - Launch Party Mix by Luckycatzoe on Mixcloud

Here are the tunes I played at the launhc party for The End: An Electric Sheep Anthology earlier this month. A lovely book with articles on cult and world cinema and some great illustrations too. My favorite is a full page illustration of Gong Li's face taken from the shot at the end of the Zhang Yimou movie Ju Dou.

Back on the turntables! Fri 29th July

2011-06-23T20:14:00.004+01:00

I am pleased to announce I will be DJing at the lovely bar Mango Landin' in Brixton on Friday 29th July. I will be spinning my usual mixture of vintage vinyl 45s of various genres: 60s Hong Kong pop, sound tracks, Reggae, Ska, Rocksteady, 60's Soul, Rhythm n Blues, Lounge and Cha Cha Cha!

Not a Lucky Cat night as such so there won't be any Asian snacks but Mango Landin' do have a BBQ style restaurant garden area for delicious jerk chicken etc. The cocktails are pretty good too (mango mojitos mmm). Come early for food, I start playing at 9pm and won't stop till I drop (around 3am). Dress up in your qipaos and get ready to skank to some Chinese Reggae.

Directions, menus etc on the Mango Landin' web site: www.mangolandin.net

I doctored this great propaganda pic for the flyer,turns out Mao was very fond of mangoes, read more here .

Ai Wei Wei @ Somerset House

2011-06-23T14:27:00.006+01:00

I was very pleased to hear the news that Ai Wei Wei had been released (on bail) yesterday. In an earlier post I mentioned all not being a bowl of ju-jube berries when I visited China. The media control in society was difficult to swallow for me and I really felt it whilst I was there as when I visited Hong Kong Ai Wei Wei had just been arrested and it was all over the media. When I entered back into mainland China it was Ai Wei Who? I didn't see anything in the media at all. I'm sure young people were talking about it in code online but the air was strangely silent. I also had not realised the still marked difference between Hong Kong and mainland China media.

Here are some photos of my visit to the Ai Wei Wei sculpture exhibit at Somerset House in London last month. I thought it really suited the setting and I enjoyed my visit tremendously (as did my little 'kitten' who you can see splashing around in the fountains).

If you haven't been there are only a few days left so make a plan and visit!:
www.somersethouse.org.uk/visual-arts/ai-weiwei-circle-of-animals-zodiac-heads

See also:
Further article on Ai wei wei's release

Excellent Radio Piece on Flutist Guo Yue

2011-06-14T14:36:00.003+01:00

Heard this by chance on BBC Radio 3 the otehr day. A very nice interview with flutist Guo Yue who grew up during the Cultural Revolution in China. You can listen again via the iPlayer if in UK:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b011txy8/Between_the_Ears_On_the_Rubble_of_My_Home_I_Played_My_Flute/

Also check out this Youtube clip:

You can buy his 2006 CD Music, Food and Love and find out more at Real World Records.

Lucky Cat Mixes on Mixcloud

2011-06-05T17:26:00.002+01:00

I've decided to start using Mixcloud as uploads are unlimited! I will be posting up mixes from my vinyl collection and delving deep into the Lucky Cat archives. Hope you enjoy listening.

Lucky Cat Summer Mix 2011 by Luckycatzoe on Mixcloud

Pop Up Exhibition in New Cross this week

2011-05-24T19:36:00.004+01:00

Fontless II is a 3 part collaborative music/visual performance about psychogeography - the act of urban exploration on foot and its application to join disparate resonances (emotional/sonic) through intervention and documentation.

Part I is created by Ben Absalom & Sam Bardsley, part II by Raimund Wong and part III by Oscar Oldershaw and Joe Campbell. All with live soundtrack by Maja Naga, this time with Toby S (mandolin and electric guitar), Camilo Tirado (tablas and percussion) and Raimund (ruan and guitar).

27th May 6 - 9pm, 28th May 1 - 9pm, 29th May 1 - 6pm

At 6pm on Friday there will be a screening of several films surrounding the subject, including The Solitary Life of Cranes.

Address & Transport:
Bond House Pop-up Space, Goodwood Road, SE14 6BL

Train: New Cross Gate/ New Cross
Buses: 343, 484, 21, 53, 172, 453, 136, 171, 177, 436, P12, P13

Links:
www.localanaesthesiaexhibition.com
Facebook Event Page

China Trip 2011 - Food Diary (Beijing)

2011-05-16T20:13:00.024+01:00

I posted about the Tofu Fa on Lamma island Hong Kong but what about the other delights I sampled on my trip? Well, it just so happens that I kept a food diary.
Warning the following posts may make induce serious munchies:

Beijing
Thursday 31st March
Snack from outlet in hutong area: Weird triangular shaped snack with wafer like wrapping filled with egg custard and sweetcorn. Sweet and gloopy with crispy shell. Nothing special, forgot to take a photo.

Dinner @ Sijiminfu, Qianmen District

1/2 a Roast Duck
Pancakes
Accompaniments for duck were the usual plum sauce, cucumber & spring onion with the delightful additions of pickled vegetables, red pickled ginger, roasted mashed garlic paste and a side of fresh mint, pea shoots and young salad leaves. We were also given some white sugar to dip the crispy duck skin in.
Cold dish of celery shoots with blanched almonds
Garlic shoots with pork and shrimps
Rice
Finished off with a bowl of duck stock broth.

Mmmm garlicy, top notch stuff. A very big thank you to Anxi for taking care of me in Beijing and making sure I was extremely well fed!

Friday 1st April
Breakfast @ my hotel: Steamed pork dumplings, plain congee with slithery shreds of pickled cabbage, watermelon.
Snack: Roasted sweet potato from street vendor

Lunch @ amazing Beijing snack restaurant. You walked through a corridor with stalls either side where traditional snacks here being cooked. As you entered the main seating area there was a stage with a guy straight out of central casting (grey Mao suit, long white beard, bald head, twinkle in his eyes) telling stories. The atmosphere was rowdy and not many people were taking notice of him but he bellowed on with his animated performance.

Cooked pear in syrup. Pleasant.
Sweet soup of white snow mushroom with goji berries, red beans and lotus seeds. Too musty for my tastes.
Red cubes of Chinese hawthorn apple jelly and yellow cubes of mung bean / pea? jelly cubes
Fried flour ring (doughnut)
Lian ta hou shou - long, friedBeijing pork dumplings with black vinegar for dipping. Crispy delicious.

Dinner @ Karaiya Spice Housein San li tun area, in 'the village' a big shopping mall which is part of a huge new (6 years old) development. Massive Apple Mac and Nike stores there.

Cold noodles made from fern root jelly with marinated cucumber
Sliced beef with chilli oil and spring onion
Chilled tofu cubes with diced chilli peppers
Mushroom stir fry served over hot wok like clay pot on table
Sizzling beef
Steamed perch
Ginger chicken (also served on table)

A delicious meal of Hunan food - previously an uncharted area for me. Whilst in China I made the discovery that Szechuan food isn't the only regional cooking to infuse dishes with a range of chillies, spice and salty delicious flavours, Hunan and Yunnan dishes are also very tasty.
Big thanks to Steve Barker for taking us to Karaiya Spice House.

Lucky Cat Series 5 Episode 11 (23rd April 2011) Podcast & Playlist

2011-05-02T21:30:00.007+01:00

Joey Leung is in the studio to discuss the Terracotta Far East Film Festival. Joey also talks about his favourite custard bun! It was mighty fine too, not stingy on the custard filling and encased in soft pastry, yum.
Check out all the films showing at the Terracotta Festival here:
http://terracottafestival.com/films/2011

This is the last Episode of Lucky Cat Series 5. Whilst off air I will be podcasting so check this blog or join the Facebook group. Alternatively you can email me luckycatzoe at gmail.com to be added to the mailing list for random update emails.

Playlist:

回憶,旋轉,舞步 (Memories Swirling Dances) - Marshmallow Kisses (from CD Ciao Baby - great 60's cover art, see above)
Love Without End - from the Lin Dai film, not actually sung by Lin Dai dubbed bvy another singer - not sure who?!
Eye Wonder - AM444 (Cha Cha & Jay Soul)
Broke (我們搖搖欲墜 Station Mix) - Marshmallow Kisses (from CD Ciao Baby)
Where Have All The Flowers Gone - The Peanuts(Hit Parade Vol 5 LP)
Slow Running Water? - Amy Yip EP
Summertime - Jackie Mittoo
Mimi & The Five Petals track, more to follow from this great LP....

Terracotta Far East Film Festival

2011-04-23T12:30:00.003+01:00

The last episode of Lucky Cat Series 5 will air today on Resonance 104.4FM. Today I will be joined by Joey Leung of Terracotta Distribution to discuss the upcoming Far East Film Festival (5th - 8th May @ The Prince Charles Cinema, London).

Tune in at 3.30pm today! To be podcasted next week.

Lucky Cat Series 5 Ep10 (16th April 2011) Playlist & Podcast

2011-04-20T18:57:00.003+01:00

Playlist:

These Foolish Things (Remind me of you) - Etta James
Rich As Slave Please - soundtrack CD for film 'Liu San Jie' (3rd Sister Jie)
Shen Jing Mo Shao - AM444
I Love A Go Go - Josephine Siao Fong Fong EP
Mi Panda - Hiro (from 'The Detective' soundtrack)
Don't Let Me Down - Marcia Griffiths
Let Me Hold You Tight - Marcia Griffiths
Dry your Tears - Prince Fatty feat Winston Francis
That Very Night in Dub - Prince Fatty feat Hollie Cook

I recount my evening at the Cinema Museum for the Anna May Wong double bill: documentary 'Frosted Yellow Willows and silent film Song.
Oxide Pang's The Detective is reviewed and Chinese desserts are discussed in the Dim Sum Lunch Box.

Marcia Griffiths is playing this Sunday at the London International Ska Festival.

To Fu Fa on Lama Island Hong Kong

2011-04-16T12:51:00.003+01:00

Refreshingly cool, delicate and delicious. Icy cold silken tofu with caramelised syrup.
To fu fa features in the Dim Sum Lunch Box on today's episode of Lucky Cat. Listen live at 3.30pm Resonance 104.4FM or www.resonancefm.com

Anna May Wong Evening @ The Cinema Museum

2011-04-13T21:01:00.017+01:00

Just before I left for China I attended the Anna May Wong evening at The Cinema Museum in Kennington. Tucked a way in South London back street (aren't all the best thing?s!) I was bowled over by The Cinema Museum - old posters and lobby cards, ushers in stylish vintage get up, old projectors and even cinema carpet samples.

There was a nice little display of Anna May Wong stills and lobby cards and a cute little china figurine doll:

The evening began with a screening of Elaine Mae Woo's documentary film on Anna May Wong: Frosted Yellow Willows. I had heard that the film focused mainly on Anna May's professional life and was a little idealistic. I found this to be the case and was perplexed as to why Elaine had chosen to present such a formal account of AMW's life. After the film Elaine did a Q&A and explained that she is working on a part 2 which will cover the more personal aspects of AMW's life. I am not sure why she didn't do one comprehensive documentary instead. I know there is a lot of material but I think it would have been more balanced and well rounded. Elaine was a little vague in her answers during the Q&A and quite often went 'off piste', totally ignoring one gentleman's question about including an account of the song These Foolish Things (which was written for Anna May by writer and broadcasting executive Eric Maschwitz as an evocation of his longing for her after they parted) in the next film. To have a song written for you (and a good song at that) is pretty amazing - surely worth a play/mention in a documentary!

I did learn some new facts from the film and it was wonderful to see all the old footage, it is clear that Elaine Mae Woo is passionate about her subject and wants people to remember AMW as the great star she was. She was also a person, and people have flaws, it doesn't mean they are bad or they aren't worthy of being remembered or that they are not role models for a race (quite a burden anyway, I guess even more so in AMW's case as there just was not anyone else representing Chinese women on screen at that time).

After the Q&A it was time for a rare screening of the Anna May film Song - with live piano accompaniment - what a treat!
My favourite test excerpt from the silent film was when the character Carlotto was introduced and he was described as being "full of garlic and gaiety". What a wonderful description.
I really enjoyed the film - AMW shows her comedic potential in some silly skits and really steals the show. The knife throwing scenes are pretty hair raising - especially when the thrower is blind!
For a film of 1927 the special effects used were pretty good; an underwater sea fight, a flash back positioned on screen in a table and a scene shot underneath a steam train!

Back from China

2011-04-13T19:54:00.007+01:00

I am back from my whirlwind trip to China - 3 cities in 11 nights! I ate my way around Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong; took plenty of photos, kept a food diary, partied, went sight-seeing, bought records, got a qipao made, made friends, visited old friends, took planes, trains, ferries, rickshaws, trams and taxis!

I recorded some material whilst in China which I plan to share via my radio show and podcasts. I only have 2 episodes left of Lucky Cat Series 5 and I feel like I have so much to share now. I will podcast whilst off air and I will be back for series 6 in September.

You may be surprised to learn that this was in fact my first ever trip to China! For a Sinophile like myself it was a long awaited dream come true. It was only a snapshot of a huge country and I experienced a mixture of emotions, including amazement and at times disappointment - I will expand on this more in future posts. It wasn't all a bowl of cherries (or jujube berries?) but then China also inspired and astounded me too.

I wanted to interview the brilliant Chinese singer Cha Cha whilst I was in Shanghai but did not get the chance (though we did manage to do a little partying at the bassy basement club Shelter). Here is the video from the cool dubby track '神经末梢 (Shen Jing Mo Shao)' by AM444 (a collaboration between Cha Cha and Dutch producer Jay Soul). This is taken from the album 'Eye Wonder' . Really like the artwork for the album, done by local artist Nini Sum.

Cha Cha and soon to be hubby Gaz Williams will be over in the UK this Summer so I hope to catch up with her then for an interview and maybe some jamming in the studio....
For more Shanghai related shennanigans check out Gaz's web site for his Shelter nightclub:
http://subcultureshanghai.com/.
I was at the club for the release of SIG's new album, more to come on that in a future post...

Rabbit in a Spicy Bean Sauce

2011-03-23T20:14:00.003Z

Jessie Levene made this spicy rabbit dish for the Dim Sum Lunch Box (Series 5 Ep9). Jessie lived in Chengdu, China for 3 years, where she developed a love of Sichuan cuisine. For mouthwatering photos and foodie travellers' tales check out her blog:Jessie and The Giant Plate.

This recipe is adapted from ‘Sichuan Cookery’ by Fuchsia Dunlop. Shaoxing wine, chilli bean sauce, black beans and Sichuan pepper can be purchased at most Chinese supermarkets.

About ½ a rabbit, with bones still intact
3 spring onions
1 small chunk of ginger (about half the size of your thumb), unpeeled
½ tablespoon Shaoxing wine
1 tablespoon fermented soybeans (aka black beans)
2 tablespoons of cooking oil
1-2 tablespoons (1 sachet) chilli bean paste (doubanjiang)
2 teaspoons light soy sauce
¼ teaspoon white sugar
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon chilli oil (optional)
1 teaspoon white sesame seeds
1 teaspoon ground Sichuan pepper

1. If your rabbit is a bit bloody, bring a pot of water to the boil and blanch the meat for about 30 seconds.
2. Bring a pot of fresh water to the boil, and add the Shaoxing wine, 1 of the spring onions cut in half and slightly crushed, along with the unpeeled piece of ginger, also slightly crushed.
3. Add the rabbit pieces and boil covered for about 15 minutes, or until the rabbit is cooked through. Remove the rabbit to a plate and set aside.
4. Now make the sauce. Rinse the black beans in a little hot water, drain and then mash to a rough paste with a fork. Finely chop the spring onions.
5. Heat the cooking oil in a small frying pan, and when hot add the chilli bean paste. Turn the heat to low-medium and stir-fry for about 30 seconds, then add the black bean paste and stir-fry for another 30 seconds.
6. Once the oil in the pan is a nice red colour, remove from the heat and pour the contents of the pan into a small bowl. Add the soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil and chilli oil, and salt to taste.
7. Strip the cooled rabbit meat from the bone, cut into strips and place in a serving bowl. Pour over the spicy bean sauce and mix the meat and sauce well together.
8. Spinkle the meat with the ground Sichuan pepper, sesame seeds and finely chopped spring onions and serve.

Podcast & Playlist Lucky Cat Series 5 Ep9 (12th March 2011)

2011-03-21T21:57:00.005Z

Here's last week's show, which includes tracks from 2 of my all time favourite LPs (Aretha Franklin and Poon Sow Keng). I also review Ip Man 2 - worth seeing for the Donnie vs Sammo fight! Congratulations to competition winner Tom Elliot.

Cine Asia are having a mega sale - loads of martial arts and East Asian films for a Lady Godiva (fiver)! Check out: www.cine-asia.com

There has been a change to broadcasting at Resonance - this coming Saturday 26th March will feature live coverage from the anti-government cuts march in London. Lucky Cat Episode 10 will be broadcast on 2nd April and the last episode of Series 5 will now air on Saturday 23rd April.

Playlist:

Thank You For the Many Things You've Done - Cassandra (from the Babylon soundtrack LP)
Uptown Top Ranking - Dub Colossus (from the EP Rockers Meet Addis Uptown)
Crazy He Calls Me - Aretha Franklin (Soul 69 LP)
Where Have All The Flowers Gone - Poon Sow Keng(It's Spring in Autumn LP)
La Vie En Rose - Clara Rockmore (Theremin music)
Media Control - Cha Cha (on the Jahtari label)
Chilli Was Hot - Ruth Wallis (Party Favourites EP on Wallis Recordings, Ruth's own label, not bad for a woman in the 1950's to have her own record label eh?)
Grant Avenue - from the Flower Drum Song soundtrack LP
Welcome to My Heart - The Bouquets (Girls, Girls Girls CD compilation)

Japan - Ways To Help

2011-03-20T21:43:00.005Z

The recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan has been a tragedy of epic proportions, too heartbreaking for words. Japan needs our help, there are lots of ways we can donate, here are a few:

1)Special screening of Beyond Anime: CALF Animation for Play for Japan

In collaboration with the Play for Japan project, Zipangu will be doing a special London re-screening of the awesome CALF Animation programme.

This selection of innovative and uplifting shorts from the minds of young award-winning animators Atsushi Wada, Mirai Mizue, Kei Oyama and TOCHKA (Takeshi Nagata and Kazue Monno) will challenge your conceptions of Japanese animation in popular culture.
Head down to the Roxy Bar and Screen on Borough High Street, London SE1 on Sunday 3rd April @ 6pm.

All admissions proceeds will go to the Japan Society Tohoku Earthquake Relief Fund.

Still from Handsoap by Kei Oyama, 2008.

2) Play For Japan - Full listings of other charitable gigs, screenings and events at:
www.playforjapan.com/

3) Donate a Shelter Box via Justgiving.com (nearly at their target £30K - come on!)

4) Make an Online Donation Now via The Japan Society

5) Or via Save The Children

6) US Readers: LivingSocial will match your donations; for each $5 donation through this offer they will also donate $5 to the American Red Cross Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami fund. See http://livingsocial.com/redcross

Resonance FM Fundraiser this weekend - please help

2011-03-19T16:54:00.003Z

It's that time of year again when I ask for your help:

Resonance FM is devoting the entire weekend to its annual on-air
Fund-Raising Marathon. Over 100 experiences, items, artworks, rarities and more than your heart’s desire – all donated by generous supporters and all up for grabs this weekend.
The reason?
The cuts have affected Resonance already and the future looks uncertain for all arts organisations. All prorgamme makers and engineers on the station work for FREE! There are no adverts on the station and all content is offered to you FREE throughout the year. If you have ever enjoyed listening to an episode of Lucky Cat please dig into your pockets and

OFFER A DONATION via the Resonance FM web site

OR

BID IN THE AUCTION:
Short details - http://resonancefm.com/auction
Images of what's on offer - http://tinyurl.com/resauction
Follow the bids - http://tinyurl.com/resauction2

You can also phone in on +44(0) 20 7407 1210 or +44(0) 207 089 2170 or +44(0) 207 089 2172 or
email: auction@resonancefm.com

Thank you so much for your support.

Today's Lucky Cat - Sat 12th March 2011

2011-03-12T13:01:00.003Z

Some info about today's show but first I would like to say my thoughts are with the Japanese people at this time of great crisis. Hoping that all friends and listeners are OK.

It was International Women's Day this week and my show has an all female playlist today incl. tracks from 2 of my favourite LPs: Aretha Fanklin's Soul 69 and Poon Sow Keng's It's Springtime in Autumn. Also new music from Ethiopian Reggae outfit Dob Collossus (pictured) and a recent vinylfind from Queen of 1950s risque Ruth Wallis.

It's competition time - I'll be reviewing martial arts movie Ip Man 2 and I have 2 copies to give away so stay tuned for the question...

Guest contributer Jessie Levene gives us a tasty rabbit recipe in the Dim Sum Lunch Box.

I will not be broadcasting next week as Resonance are having a fund raising marathon. Please tune in to find out how you can participate, there will be lots of art works and collector's items up for auction. You can always donate to Resonance via the web site: www.resonancefm.com very easy to do, using PayPal.

After today's show there is only one more episode of Series 5 of Lucky Cat left!!! This will air on Sat 26th March and will feature a biog of writer Eileen Chang.

Tune in today at 3.30pm (UK) on 104.4FM in London or via www.resonancefm.com anywhere.

Thanks for listening.

Lucky Cat Podcast & Playlist Series 5 Ep 8 (5th March 2011)

2011-03-08T19:59:00.003Z

Last Saturday's episode of Lucky Cat my interview with Clive Chin (see previous post for more info).

The Big Beat - Fats Domino
Don't Stay Out Late - Lord Creator
You Can't Fool Me Again - Peter Tosh & The Wailers
Sugar Sugar - Bob Marley & The Wailers
Java - Augustus Pablo
Harvest in the East - Tommy McCook
One Day You'll Know - Cha Cha & Ranking Joe
Woman of the Ghetto - Hortense Ellis

More Linkage:
Reggae Vibes Interview with Clive Chin
Places to Buy Represses of Randy's and Impact! label 7"s:
Dub Vendor
Sounds of the Universe (Soul Jazz)
Juno

Comments? Please email me: luckycatzoe at gmail.com

Manga Jiman - Kharis Brown

2011-03-06T21:50:00.007Z

A few weeks back I mentioned on my show that I had been to the Japanese Embassy for the awards ceremony for their Manga Jiman (pride in Manga) competition.
I was particularly impressed with the work of teenager Kharis Brown, I took a photo of her work which I have been meaning to post - here it is. The manga is entitled Wave of Fate - the wave / 'nami' was the theme of the competition. Kharis has referenced the Hokusai wave and there is also a definite Ghibli influence (Ponyo?).

You can still see Kharis' work on display along with all the other mangas at the Japanese Embassy in London (exhibition closes 31st March).

Anna May Wong Evening at the Cinema Museum

2011-03-04T14:07:00.004Z

On Saturday Sat 26th March The Cinema Museum in South London will host an Anna May Wong Evening.
Elaine May Woo's documentary Frosted Yellow Willows will be screened, followed by a Q&A with the director. Then the silent film Song aka Show Life (1928), starring Anna May Wong as a cabaret dancer, will be screened with piano accompaniment.

Watch the trailer for the documentary below. Narrated by Nancy Kwan (the beautiful Asian American actress who shimmied across the screen in the Technicolour films of the 1960's such as The World of Suzie Wong and Flower Drum Song). That reminds me I recently purchased the soundtrack LP to Flower Drum Song, I must play that on the show. Nancy Kwan features heavily in the brilliant Arthur Dong documentary about Asian American actors called Hollywood Chinese, a real must see!

I have never seen Song so am really looking forward to this too, it is rarely screened. Directed by Richard Eichberg this was Anna May Wong's first film with the German director. Anna plays Song, a hard done by Malasian dancer who becomes involved with a mysterious knife-thrower after he rescues her from two gangsters. They combine forces to create a cabaret act but trouble is a brewing as the knife thrower has an ex wife who turns up on the scene.
AMW would go on to work with Eichberg again in the 1928 film Pavement Butterfly.

For full details & how to book tickets visit the event page @ The Cinema Museum.

Further Reading:
Frosted Yellow Willows web site
The Anna May Wong Society
Interesting and well-illiud-strated AMW Biog
Band Hong Kong in the 60s pay tribute to Nancy Kwan

Lucky Cat Podcast Series 5 Ep 7 (26th Feb 2011)

2011-03-02T08:41:00.002Z

Steve Barker in the mix...

For details of playlist etc see my previous post.

More on Steve Barker here and here.

Clive Chin interview on this week's Lucky Cat Radio Show

2011-03-01T15:06:00.003Z

This coming Saturday 5th March I will air my interview with the legendary Chinese Jamaican Reggae producer Mr Clive Chin.

Clive is the son of Vincent Chin (whose Chinese father moved from mainland China to the West Indies in the 1920s). Vincent Chin opened the the music store and then recording studio Randy's in Kingston Jamaica way back in 1957. Artists to record on the Randy's label included Alton Ellis, John Holt and Lord Creator.

Clive Chin began working at the store and studio aged 15 and in the1970s began to produce tracks of his own, starting up the Impact! record label. His first big record as a producer was 'Java', which he recorded with his school friend Horace Swaby (aka Augustus Pablo, the melodica playing dub legend!).

Clive took a break from music production when he left Jamaica in 1978. He moved to New York and had a Jamaican restaurant there for ten years or so. Now he is very much back in the music business and manages the
Randy's back catalogue along with Impact! and some other selected labels. And what a catalogue of music, in 2007 Randy's celebrated 50 years and brought out the box set 2 CD anthology with documentary DVD.

Recently Clive has been tracing his Chinese roots; touring China and collaborating with Chinese singers (see www.myspace.com/aboverockrecords).

In an interview recorded last year I talk with Clive about his Chinese Jamaican roots and the influence of Chinese music in Reggae and his life in the music business.

This will be broadcast on Saturday 5th March at 3.30pm (UK) on 104.4FM in London and online anywhere via www.resonancefm.com.

Today's Lucky Cat - Sat 26th Feb 2011

2011-02-26T11:02:00.005Z

This week I play an exclusive mix from broadcast journalist and fellow Reggae
loving Sinophile Steve Barker.

Steve Barker has presented and contributed to the BBC Lancashire radio
programme On The Wire for over 25 years. Guests on the show have
included Lee Perry, Adrian Sherwood, REM, The Smiths, Depeche Mode and
Joy Division.

Since 2003, Steve Barker has been contributing from Beijing, where he
works for the British Council. He also regularly writes for The
Wire magazine.

On the Wire Blog: http://otwradio.blogspot.com/

Steve Barker’s Mix:

* Kill Me Sweetly (Love Me Sweetly Remixed By Sulumi)
* Traffic Report – White
* Day trip – ME:MO
* Beijing Taxi – Peter Cusack (Beijing Sounds)
* Chinese Bang Bang – Betty Chung
* Chinese Brush – Wong Ping
* Beijing bus - Peter Cusack (Beijing Sounds)
* Rice Shop Zhang - Wei Wei & Guo Long
* Zhao Mu Yang – Zhao Yi Yang
* Beijing Beer – White
* Moon Town Moon Colour No.1 – Huan Qing
* English School – White
* Dusk Blackdown - 8 Million Minority

Zoë’s Mix:

* Track 1 & 9 from SIG’s debut album. SIG is from Qingdao, China. The album will be out in April, more info to follow.
* Cobb’s Box – Hong Kong in the 60s
* Theme From King of Chinatown - Hong Kong in the 60s (both these tracks are from the bands debut album My Fantoms – out now!)
* Goldfinger – Josephine Siao Fong Fong
* Rain Rain Go Away - Zhuang Xue Fang (aka Chong Sit Fong)
* Ali Baba Riddim Dub – Augustus Pablo, King Tubby & John Holt

Asia House - Pan Asian Film Festival

2011-02-25T14:11:00.003Z

The Pan Asian Film Festival will be mostly at the Appollo cinema in Piccadilly. With the exception of the UK premiere of the Murakami adaptation Norwegian Wood which is at BAFTA on Tuesday 1st March.

The festival runs from 1st - 13th March and includes a screening of Taipei Exchanges, directed by Hsiao Ya-Chuan and executive produced by Tawianese auteur supremo Hou Hsiao-Hsien. See the trailer below.

For the full line up see:

http://www.asiahouse.org/net/Events.aspx

DJing this Sunday 27th Feb

2011-02-22T17:26:00.002Z

The birthday's gone but the fun is to come
ECLECTIC LX

60 years of life and musical taste

Sunday 27 February approx 3pm –8pm

OLD SCHOOL YARD, LONG LANE, LONDON, SE1

£5 on door all for the musicians. Students, claimants and senior citizen rates available.
BANDS:

ALBERT NEWTON = Charles Hayward, Pat Thomas, John Edwards
World-class improvisers
www.myspace.com/charleshayward
GERTRUDE= Zoe Gilmour, Dawn Rose, Iona Tanguay, Ayesha Taylor
All women, multi-instrumentalist, feminist punksters
www.gertruderock.com
THE CRACKED = Ian T, Tom, Neill, JP.
London style Latinesque Pop
www.the-cracked.com
Eiko Itoh
Singer songwriter
www.eiks.co.uk
Mark Knoop with Adam
World Class Modern Classical pianist and accordionist with singer/clown
www.markknoop.com

+ DJ LUCKY CAT ZOE BAXTER East Asian sounds and recipes. That's me!

Youngsters welcome until 9pm
Food available – platters

Lucky Cat Podcast Series 5 Ep 6 (19th Feb 2011)

2011-02-22T16:12:00.005Z

Beautiful Taiwan - Grace Chang (I Want Your Love Pathe 100: The Series Vol.15)
Sunset - from the I Hate You Deeply soundtrack (vinyl LP)
Scenery Of Taiwan - Jin-Long Fang(The Sound of Pipa CD)
That's The Way It Is - Ella Fitzgerald and The Inkspots (Ella and Her Fellas LP on Brunswick)
Men With Broken Hearts - Hank Williams (Complete Hank Williams Disc 3 CD)
Hold What You´ve Got -Joe Tex (Look Out! - 10 Scorching Classics From 1961 - 1970 CD from Bear Family label)
Stone Cold Dead in the Market - Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Jordan (Ella and Her Fellas LP on Brunswick)
My Only Lover - Gregory Isaacs(from the upcoming Giants - early Randy's compilation. This track is available to download FREE now from Clive Chin's myspace!)
Feeding Chickens - Liu Yun( Cai Hong Ling Pathe
100: The Series Vol.10). Credit where credit is due - I heard this on the brilliant WFMU show Give the Drummer Some presented by Doug Schulkind)
Put The Stereo On - Gappy Ranks (Peckings label 7" 45)

Bunny Logo

2011-02-21T20:46:00.002Z

Kitty bunny for the Year of the Rabbit.
Thank you Milo.

Today's Lucky Cat - Sat Feb 19th 2011

2011-02-19T10:22:00.004Z

Today I will be joined by Daney Hsu of Mr Hsu's Taiwanese Kitchen to discuss Taiwanese cuisine. Daney (pictured above - he works on the oyster stall in Borough market) will be bringing in some of the delicious products that he makes for on air sampling. All I know about Taiwanese cuisine is oyster omelettes and milk pearl ball tea so I'm intrigued to know more...

Today is also about free music and songs with talking in.
Expect Grace Chang, The Ink Spots and Taiwanese film soundtracks (and you will not be disappointed).

Lucky Cat Podcast Series 5 Ep 5 (12th Feb 2011)

2011-02-16T20:02:00.006Z

I've Got a Feeling - The Teardops (7" on Ackee label)
He Did It - The Ronettes(Colpix and Buddah Years CD)
Payback - Etta James(The Chess Singles CD)
Nightmare - The Whyte Boots(One Kiss Can Lead to Another: Girl Group Sounds box set of CDs)
High School Drop Out - Roy C(7" on Island, B Side to Shotgun Wedding)
A-Ha - The Peanuts(Japanese girl group and Godzilla stars/singers sing in German!, Columbia/EMI 7" picture cover)
Melody Life - Marcia Griffiths (Coxsone 7")
Catch Marcia at The London International Ska Festival this Spring!
Take a Piece of My Heart - Erma Franklin (London 7")
Mark My Word - Marcia Griffiths (Coxsone 7", B side to Melody Life)
Brigitte Bardot - Les Chakachas (RCA 7" EP)

Read more about the The End: An Electric Sheep Anthology.
Go see Confessions at one of these cinemas.

Lucky Cat Series 5 Episode 5 Today

2011-02-12T12:13:00.007Z

On today's show I will be joined by Virginie Sélavy, Editor of Electric Sheep Film Magazine to review the new release from Japanese director Tetsuya Nakashima: Confessions. The film is based on an ward-winning murder mystery novel by female writer Minato Kinae and both the film and the novel have been hugely successful in Japan.

Confessions will be shown at selected cinemas in the UK from 18th Feburary 2011 (including London's ICA and Ritzy), for a full list of cinemas see: thirdwindowfilms.com/events

Peanut Butter Mochi are in the Dim Sum Lunch Box. Check out this recipe. Photo is from The Japanese Snack Food Review.

If you have any suggestions for the Dim Sum Lunch Box I'd love to hear from you: luckycatzoe at gmail.com

Tune in at 15:30 today via 104.4FM in London or www.resonancefm.com anywhere.

Lucky Cat Podcast Series 5 Ep 4 (5th Feb 2011)

2011-02-09T19:33:00.005Z

Gong Xi Fa Cai!
Kung Hey Fat Choi!

Let's celebrate the Year of the Rabbit!

Chinese zodiac predictions courtesy of Feng Shui Consultant Peter Tran (Tel: 07703 549439, Email: eyeleveldesign@btinternet.com).

Playlist:

Bao Xing Bao He He - Twins and friends (Cantopop CNY CD from a few years ago)
Up Jumped the Rabbit - Georgia Pot Lickers (The Stuff That Dreams Are Made of: Super Rarities CD)
Easter Bunny Boogie - Willie Brown (Jumpin the Blues Ace Records CD)
Run Rabbit Run - Harry Bidgood and His Orchestra (Vintage Children's Favourites 1936-1950 CD)
Plaing Siam Gai Nyo - Don Tre P-Yam "Rabbit" (Secret Museum of Mankind vol 5 CD)
Rabbit Foot Blues - Blind Lemon Jefferson
Eye Wonder - AM444 (Cha Cha and Jay Soul), EP Sampler (Shanghai based vocalist Cha Cha and Dutch producer Jay Soul, pictured above, follow the link to download the free EP sampler)
Death of Aki - John Barry composition from soundtrack of the Bond film You Only live Twice
One Cup of Coffee - Robert Marley
Maroule - Creole Choir of Cuba (Tande La CD on Real World Records label)
Dulce Embelezo - Creole Choir of Cuba
Everyday is just a Holiday - The Sensations (Duke Reid 7")

Lucky Cat Saturday 5th Feb 2011

2011-02-05T11:25:00.005Z

Today's show features predictions for the Year of the Rabbit, courtesy of:

PETER TRAN
Interior & Architectural Designer
Feng Shui Consultant
Tel: 07703 549439
Email: eyeleveldesign@btinternet.com

To find out which animal Chinese zodiac sign you are go here:
http://www.chinese-tools.com/astrology/sign.html

Tune in today at 15:30 on 104.4FM in London or via www.resonancefm.com anywhere

Gong Xi Fa Cai! Happy Year of the Rabbit!

2011-02-04T12:52:00.000Z

Podcast & Playlist Lucky Cat Series 5 Ep3 (29th Jan 2011)

2011-01-31T18:32:00.011Z

For Episode 3 I was joined by Adam Torel of Third Window Films. Third Window distribute East Asian films in the UK - mainly Japanese titles - that are not just your average action / horror shockers. I spoke to Adam about how he selects films for distribution and some of the key directors that Third Windows showcase; Miki Satoshi, Sion Sono and Tetsuya Nakashima. I shall be reviewing Nakashima' upcoming release Confessions in Episode 5 of Lucky Cat.
The controversial Confessions of a Dog (pictured above) - an expose of corruption in the Japanese police - will be shown on 16th Feb at the ICA in London.
The first East Winds Film Festival is in Coventry 11th to 13th February.

Adam Torel is also a keen vinyl collector and kindly brought in some of his J-Pop and Northern Soul treasures.

Playlist:

Tonight

Carnival

Pink Lady

Japanese Title

Soft Cream

A Ton of Dynamite

Gold of My Life

The above selections are all from Adam Torel's record bag.

Going to the River

The Dim Sum Lunch Box contained a review of Japanese / Brazilian restaurant Sushinho.

Lucky Cat Podcast Series 5 Ep 2 (22nd Jan 2011)

2011-01-27T23:58:00.005Z

Here's last week's show, please see the playlist below.

Coming up this Saturday 29th Jan:
I will be joined in the studio by Adam Torel from Third Window Films. The Third Window Films brand was born in 2005 when its film-loving founders grew bored of the stream of worn-out shock horror vehicles from the Far East. Previous releases have included Memories of Matsuko (Tetsuya Nakashima, Japan), The President’s Last Bang (Sang-soo Im, Korea) and Twichfilm.net’s film of the year Love Exposure (Sion Sono, Japan). Adam Torel will be spinning some of tracks from his collection of 1960s Northern Soul and 80s J-pop as well as discussing Third Window’s releases and the upcoming East Winds Film Festival.

Lucky Cat Sat 22nd Jan 2011 - Playlist

2011-01-22T11:41:00.004Z

Here's the playlist for today's Resonance FM show, Lucky Cat Series 5 Episode 2 (Sat 22/01/11 15:30).

Bullet Dub - The Aggrovators (this is played throughout the show whilst I'm talking)
Kowloon Hong Kong - The Reynettes
Shaolin Temple - Barrington Levy(Reggae Vs Martial Arts Trojan CD)
Gu Zheng Fight - Clip from the movie Kung Fu Hustle
Wandering Horse Hero - from the LP Cantonese Mental Music
Samurai Showdown - RZA(Ghost Dog soundtrack).
Rattlesnake Daddy - The Sauceman CBrothers with their Hillbilly Quartet (The Rich R Tone Story LP)
Oyrad Un Dagu (Mongolian Song From The Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region) - from the CD Mongolia - Living Music Of The Steppes
Song of the Fisherman - Wang Ren-mei (Shanghai Lounge Divas CD)
Guns Fever (Blam Blam Fever) - The Valentines(Trojan Box Set: Rude Boy CD)

Korean Avant Garde - Music & Films @ Cafe Oto

2011-01-22T11:36:00.003Z

If you're in London town tonight why not pop along to this:
Balloon and Needle: The New Korean Avant Garde
(Three Day Residency) @ Cafe Oto
Exploring the unique sonic and visual world of a group of young South Korean artists and noise makers.

Choi Joonyong (cracked CD players)
Hong Chulki (turntables)
Ryu Hankil (self‐made electro‐acoustic instruments)
Jin Sangtae (cracked hard‐drive)
Lee Hangjun (16mm film projection)

Collaborations from UK artists such as Benedict Drew as well.

Info:
www.cafeoto.co.uk/balloon-and-needle.shtm

Singaporean Chinese New Year's Fish Platter

2011-01-22T11:29:00.006Z

Here are the results of today's dim sum lunch box. It was crunchy, fresh, zingy, salty, sweet and deeeeeelicious! Listen in today (3.30pm Resonance 104.4M) for full details. Podcast available in the next few days.

Movie Trailers A Go Go

2011-01-20T20:37:00.004Z

This week's radio show is a Movie News special, here are some trailers for films I'll be talking about:

Shaolin - Classy martial arts movie with a stellar cast.

The Gallants - Postmodern 70's Kung Fu film pastiche featuring Chinese American rapper Jin.

Tsui Hark is back in the game with Detective Dee.

Blimey Andy Lau's been busy, here he is again in a rom com remake of What Women Want with the majestic Gong Li.

It's nearly Lunar New Year, and this looks like the perfect holiday movie. The Shaw, TVB, Sil-Metropole, and Mei Ah film I Love Hong Kong features Eric Tsang and Sandra Ng.

Nicholas Tse, Yey! Dante Lam's new film Stool Pigeon.

Korean film The Housemaid, a remake of Kim Ki-young's 1960 classic (Park Chan Wook cites the orignal as one of his favourite films).

Noir Martial Arts Coming Soon

2011-01-20T20:11:00.004Z

Just seen these poster pics from the upcoming Wong Kar Wai film The Grandmasters. Tony Leung Chiu Wai and Zhang Ziyi star, I have high hopes for this one! More info as and when I get it, see: wongkarwainews.blogspot.com (warning pics of Tony Leung in white jeans! Also a track suit - vintage suits suit you much better Tony.)
Hope the soundtrack is up to usual WKW standard of greatness. This has been in production for a while, I think Tony Leung broke his arm whilst shooting which held things up.
Please let this gets a decent UK theatre release with good promotion.

Lucky Cat Playlist & Podcast Series 5 Ep1 (15th Jan 2011)

2011-01-19T21:42:00.005Z

Playlist:

One Day You’ll Know - Cha Cha & Ranking Joe (Randy's, Clive Chin production 2010, collector's item 10" vinyl, Rico Rodriguez rhythm)
Egyptian Reggae – Jonathan Richman (7" vinyl, 1977)
Track Name in Chinese - Rebecca Pan Wan Ching (Diamond LP)
Saying Farewell to My Brother - Zhou Hsuan and Yao Min (Pathe 100 CD)Z
Check out antiquepopmusic.com for podcasts on popular shanghai music from the 1930s. I also did a two part special on the Seven Singing Stars of Shanghai last series, still available on podomatic.
L'Ile Nue - Hikaru Hayashi (7" OST from the Japanese film Hadaka No Shima aka L'Ile Nue aka The Island 1961)
Flower of Quince House – Hong Kong in the 60's (Places EP, available as a free download)
Plait Skank - Youth Man (Count Shelly label 7")
Never Get Caught - Soom T & Disrupt (Ode to a Carrot 2XLP or download from jahtari.org)
Down the train line -Stranger and Patsy (7" Gayfeet label, produced by Sonia Pottinger who sadly passed away last year)

Better Life Shanghai Screening

2011-01-15T12:29:00.003Z

Here is part 1 of the single screen version of Isaac Julien's Ten Thousand Waves, called Better Life, with composers Chop (sound artist Zen Lu and Polish experimental musician Grzegorz Bojanek) providing a live improvised soundtrack.

Lucky Cat Series 5 Starts Sat 15th Jan on Resonance FM

2011-01-11T18:23:00.003Z

Happy New Year! Series 5 of Lucky Cat will begin on Saturday 15th January, 15:30 on Resonance 104.4FM (listen live online via www.resonancefm.com).

Episode 1 features an interview with British artist Isaac Julien who discuses his most recent film installation Ten Thousand Waves which was shot in China and features actresses Maggie Cheung and Zhao Tao.
(A wonderful catalogue featuring stills from the installation is now available).

This week’s Dim Sum Lunch Box contains Singaporean New Year’s Fish Platter.

I do hope you can listen in - go on, put some Chinese Reggae in your jeggae!

All suggestions, requests etc to : luckycatzoe at gmail.com

"A Spicy Mix of Black and Asian Culture" - danwei.org
"I haven't heard music this good since the John Peel show" - Joey Leung, Terracotta Film Festival
"Zoë throws together a tasty chop suey of reggae, blues, and vintage Asian pop for her fabulous radio show" - David Wells @ softfilm.blogspot

Merry Christmas - Rebecca Pan Wan Ching LP Side B

2010-12-24T17:10:00.004Z

Here's Side B, hope you enjoy listening.
Good news - Lucky Cat Series 5 will be on air from Saturday 15th January 2011 15:30-16:30 UK time. You will be able to listen live on Resonance FM or wait until I podcast the shows.
Seasons Greetings, why not try some wasabi mayo in your turkey sandwiches? :-)

Merry Christmas - Rebecca Pan Wan Ching LP Side A

2010-12-24T16:54:00.003Z

Merry Christmas, here's Side A of my lovely crackly vinyl Rebecca Pan LP.
Side B coming right up.....

9 Screens 10,000 Waves

2010-12-09T21:34:00.003Z

Apologies for the delay in posting my review, life seems to be slipping by of late.

As mentioned in my earlier post I was very keen to see the new film installation by Isaac Julien Ten Thousand Waves, showing at the Hayward Gallery as part of the Move: Choreographing You exhibition. As usual at the Hayward the entrance price is offputtingly expensive, but I urge you to shell out to enter this celluloid dreamworld that Julien has created.

I wasn't that keen on the rest of the exhibits but my real focus was always to see Ten Thousand Waves and I was not disappointed. You enter a large dark room with large screens all around and two in the centre (images shown on both sides) - the viewer is immediately immersed. Different images show on each screen at different times so I did not remain stationery but moved around in the space, trying to figure out the best position and also placing myself somehow inside the narrative. And yes there is a narrative structure even through you may enter the room at any point in the 1 hr screening. In fact this is my only criticism, I feel that the viewer benefits from seeing the piece in its entirety as the context is given from the outset. Some people wandered in for only ten minutes and did not perhaps get to make all the connections, the interwoven stories and journeys of past and present.

The opening shots are of the dark black sea and we are played the audio of a woman calling 999 and reporting the Morecambe Bay cockle pickers that are stuck out at sea when the tide has come in (Lancashire 2004). I think the footage is the actual footage too. This was very upsetting and to see the rolling black waves all around you on the screens and hear the panicked phone call is quite chilling.

We move from these images of a tragedy for Chinese immigrants in the UK back to an unspecified past time in Fujian province in China (Fujian is where the 23 cockle pickers that died came from). Maggie Cheung is ethereal and serene as the goddess of sea travellers Mazu. This section is based on the fable The Tale of Yishan Island - the tale of 16th Century fishermen lost and in danger at sea. At the heart of the legend is the goddess figure who leads the fishermen to safety
The harsh reality of the present is juxtaposed with the mystical safety of the past.

Throughout the film the viewer is encouraged to make connections, to think, to question ideas of identity, diaspora, traditions and culture. It is also beautifully shot and aesthetically wondrous to watch. Later on footage of the Cultural Revolution and Maoist celebrations are spliced in to the story. The Technicolour newsreel seems eerily unreal and yet so familiar, so far away and yet so close to us (both geographically and historically).

Silent film star Ruan Lingyu is also referenced in a section in which actress Zhao Tao plays her in a reconstruction of her most famous film The Goddess. Slow lingering shots and beautiful mis-en-scene contradict the harsh reality of the subject matter which is actually the cruel life of a prostitute in 1920s Shanghai. Zhao Tao has starred in the films of Jia Zhangke and interestingly I was reminded of Zhangke's film Still Life when I watched (or should I say experienced) Ten Thousand Waves.

I couldn't quite believe I had been in the room for an hour when I emerged. Time seemed to go by very quickly and ever since I have been wanting to return to that space. If you are in London do not miss this.

Ten Thousand Waves is showing at the Hayward Gallery until 9th January 2011.

Hong Kong in the 60s FREE EP Download

2010-11-23T19:42:00.003Z

The trio have been busy, download their free EP here.
I particularly like The Flower of Quince House.

Listen to my Hero Q & A

2010-11-21T10:13:00.004Z

Pictured: Maggie Cheung Man Yuk in Hero : "Rashomon in colour" - cinematographer Christopher Doyle

The Q&A I did for the Electric Sheep Film Club at the Prince Charles cinema is now online:
http://podcasts.resonancefm.com/archives/category/lucky-cat
Here you can listen to me discuss Zhang Yimou's wuxia epic with Alex Fitch, Assistant Editor of Electric Sheep Film Magazine and presenter of the weekly show on comics, Panel Borders, on Resonance FM.

New Japanese film festival Zipangu Fest

2010-11-08T20:37:00.005Z

The first UK‐wide festival devoted to Japanese film starts later this month. Zipangu Fest will introduce works new and old, previously unseen by mainstream UK film audiences, to demonstrate the many identities of Japan as depicted by some of the country’s most exciting and revered talents.

November 23‐28 2010 @ several London venues and also nationwide, see the site for details:
http://zipangufest.com/

There is also a Japanese themed exhibit on at London's Barbican Centre: Future Beauty: 30 Years of Japanese Fashion with loads of events happening.

Chow Yun Fat Confucius Competition Winner

2010-11-08T20:17:00.004Z

And the winner is....
Jessica Collins with this poem:

chow yun fat
is the big cat
when he sat
on the kung-fu mat
he said...
"i like it like that"

Well done Jessica, a copy of Confucius on DVD is on its way to you. The competition is now closed, thank you for your entries.

(The above picture shows Chow Yun Fat as Confucius with mainland actress Zhou Xun who plays concubine Nan-zi, adding a bit of glamour to the proceedings.)

Ghostly Mooli for Halloween

2010-10-24T18:25:00.008+01:00

We're having a little Halloween soiree next weekend and I've been thinking about scary snacks to make. I had the idea to make some skull shaped mooli slices and pickle them. Turns out skulls are quite hard to do and I decided that these little Pac Man / space invader style ghosts looked a lot better. I peeled half a large mooli and cut it into slices about 2mm thick. I took a small sharp knife and cut little triangles out at the bottom of the circle. For the eyes I used a chop stick and pushed it through hard on both sides of the mooli. For the pickling juice I used rice wine, caster sugar and for a change I used some sushi seasoning (see picture) too, I topped it all up with water. I chopped up a lot of ginger quite finely, 2 cloves of garlic and 3 bird's eye chillies (most seeds removed). For a proper recipe for pickling veg see my earlier post.

Now for the char siew bloody pit with lotus root bones and the centre piece of the bride with white hair (vermicelli noodles)! Nice idea but that sounds a bit too much work; I will let you know what else I come up with.