Byron Lee Obituary

David Katz's obituary of Byron Lee was published in The Guardian last Friday.
Read it here.

Reggae Bar, Chengdu, Sichuan, China

Mao and Marley together at last! This is the Reggae Bar in Chengdu in the Sichuan Province of China.

Many thanks to Steve Barker for these images.
You can listen to Steve's mix of new Chinese music here.

Playlist here at the On The Wire blog:
http://otwradio.blogspot.com/

Dimsum.co.uk news

The British Chinese Community web site dimsum.co.uk won the top award at the recent Pearl Awards ceremony. The annual Pearl Awards celebrates Chinese achievements in Britain.
Read the full article here.
Congratulations!

You can also find an interview with Mark Wu, creator of the excellent web site resource Visible Chinese on the Dimsum.co.uk site.

Byron Lee Tribute Show - Play Podcast

'Chocolate' DVD Review

From Prachya Pinkaew, director of Ong Bak and Warrior King (aka Tom Yung Goong) comes a new martial arts film with a female newcomer JeeJa Yin in the lead role.
Chocolate is the story of – when I say story I mean sequences of fight scenes put together with occasional breaks for lessons in the value of love in life – it’s the story of a Yakuza gangster and a Thai mafia moll who fall in love. The mafia Don Pong pat (the name of Bangkok’s red light district Pat Pong cleverly rearranged) is not best pleased about this romance and ensure the two are separated.

The moll, Zin, has a baby girl who turns out to be autistic. She grows up, cue montage of shots of her in various stages of development going back and forth to medical specialists and eating M&M type chocolates which she likes very much. She can throw them into her mouth very quickly and never misses. She lives with her cousin and her mother and the cousin soon exploits her talent of being able to catch any object thrown at her without looking. Anything except flies, she hates flies. Remember Raymond, Dustin Hoffman’s character in Rain Man and how he reacted when the smoke alarm went off? Well that’s what happens when a fly buzzes near Zen.

Mum gets sick and seeing as Thailand has no NHS she needs money to pay for her medical bills. The fat sidekick cousin finds her mafia-days debt book and takes Zen with him to collect. Zen has learnt martial arts through osmosis – they live next to a muay thai gaym, she watches Tony Jaa and Bruce Lee films and plays fighting games on the Playstaion.

The debtors laugh at a skinny girl and fat boy trying to collect debts. Zen gets mad. You won’t like her when she gets mad. Cue the fight scenes. Yes! During which you spend the whole time going – but how she’s a slip of a girl, can’t see any muscle, but oooh that kick to the back of the neck looked painful.

No wires, no CGI, all real action has been the slogan for previous Pinkaew films and this is no exception. My favourite fight scene took place in a butcher’s warehouse with meat carcasses hanging everywhere (Zen had to overcome her fear of flies here), cleavers and meat hooks a plenty. It reminded me of the Sammo Hung film Magnificent Butcher.
JeeJa Yin trained for 2 years before filming even began for Chocolate. Pinkaew knew he wanted to make a film about autistic children and martial arts with a female lead. He found JeeJa Yin and her two year training began even before there was a script. Then the film itself took 2 years to complete.

The characters are well drawn, especially the Thai mafia boss PongPat and his lady boy side kick who look like they are wearing clothes borrowed from Miami Vice and Pat Butcher. Some lovely leopard print chiffon blouses and snakeskin loafers sported.
JaeeJa Yin’s power lies in her apparent frailty. Cute but not beautiful, androgynous, awkward, skinny and unremarkable - an unlikely action hero who surprises you with her fighting power. She topples men twice her size with muay thai style kicks. And fierce looking gangster girls and lady boys too. Dressed like a scruffy street urchin in patchwork clothes her ‘schoolgirl’ look is not played up to – refreshingly so. Her femininity is not highlighted, as we have seen before with other teen female martial arts characters (such as the schoolgirl GoGo Yaburi in Kill Bill).

Autism is fairly delicately handled in the film. Except for during the final fight scene – set in a Japanese tea house in Bruce Lee homage by the way – when a young autistic counterpart fighter who looks like a 1980s break dancer in his Adidas tracksuit is brought out to fight JeeJa. Where did he spring from? This was a bit strange and unnecessary. Apart from this it was handled well.
As usual, don’t switch off when the credits start to roll – all the bloopers are here. The ooh, that’s gotta hurt bits where we see that the actors really were hurt in the making of the film. One guy even gets hospitalised! Thai hospital food looks alright though, rice, meat, veg and chilli sauce on the side. Mmm.
Talking of food I’ve been trying to think up a better title to the film than Chocolate which does seem a bit odd. But then perhaps it’s supposed to reflect the unassuming nature of Zen – she’s not what she appears to be.

I definitely recommend Chocolate. Out now to buy on DVD.

19th November - Byron Lee Tribute - Playlist

• Dumplins - Byron Lee & The Dragonaires
  
• Kingston Calypso - Byron Lee & The Dragonaires
  
• Jamaica Ska - Byron Lee & The Dragonaires
  
• Watermelon Man Ska - Byron Lee & The Dragonaires
  
• Frankenstein Ska - Byron Lee & The Dragonaires
  
• Rocksteady - Byron Lee & The Dragonaires
  
• Maria - Mighty Sparrow & Byron Lee
  
• She's Royal - Byron Lee & The Dragonaires
  
• Sweets for My Sweet - The Carib Beats
  
• Sugar Face - Unknown Chinese Singer
  

Lucky Cat Special on Wed 19th November

I have a 'clearspot' slot on Resonance FM this Wednesday 19th November 8-9pm. You can tune in on 104.4FM or through the Resonance web site.
Chinese/Jamaican Reggae legend Byron Lee recently passed away and I will be paying tribute to him on this Lucky Cat Special.

It has been a sad couple of months actually, with the passing of my favourite Reggae singer of all time Alton Ellis, then Byron Lee and then South African singer Miriam Makeba.
However, I am happy to know the music they shared with the world. And I am grateful for it. RIP.

Lucky Cat returns to the airwaves on January 6th 2009

I am pleased to announce that Lucky Cat Series 3 will begin on Tuesday 6th January 2009 on Resonance 104.4FM. The weekly programme will be broadcast live for one hour, expect the usual mix of music (from Ska to Cantopop), interviews, movie news and reviews and brand new recipes in the Dim Sum Lunch box.
To join my mailing list or to make any requests or suggestions for the new series please email me at luckycatzoe (at sign) gmail.com

Tune in via 104.4FM in London or via www.resonancefm.com anywhere.

ICA concerts - Sa Dingding & Dengue Fever

Two dates for your diary:
Sa Dingding (pictured) plays at the ICA in London next week
www.sadingding.co.uk

Also at the ICA LA/Cambodian pyschedilc pop rock group Dengue Fever play on Thursday 20th November. Check out the excellent documentary film about the band:
www.sleepwalkingthroughthemekong.com
Also well worth checking out is the trailer here for the documentary film on the lost Rock n Roll of Cambodia Don't Think I've Forgotten
www.cambodianrock.com

See www.ica.org.uk for details and booking info.

Lucky Cat Mix for 'On The Wire' BBC Lancashire

Here it is, one whole hour of musical listening pleasure. This went out on 20th September on the BBC Lancashire show 'On The Wire' run by Mr Steve Barker. OTW blog here: http://otwradio.blogspot.com/

No talking just music. Like Dirt.
Lloyd Terrell - Birth Control- PAMA
Roland Alphonso - El Pussycat - Island
Prince Buster - Pussycat Bite Me - FAB
Lee Dorsey - The Kitty Cat Song -Stateside
The Skatalites - Chinatown - Top Deck
The Chiffons - Oh My Love - Laurie
Laurel Aitken - Shoo Bee Boo Bee -NU BeatNat King Cole - Cachito - Capitol
Poon Sow Keng - Why Should I Remember - EMI
Joesphine Siao Fong Fong - Ding Dong Twist - Angel Records
The Echoes - Ding Dong - Roulette
Eartha Kitt - Somebody Bad Stole the Wedding Bell - Official
Hortense Ellis - Melody Life - Third World
Connie Francis - Jealous of You - EMI
Miss Yao Lee - Suspicious Heart - PATHE
Etta James - Fool That I am - PYE Records Ltd
Lydia Mendoza - Mal Hombre - Folk Lyrics Records
Lady Ann & Alborosie - Informer - FORWARD
Dave & Ansel Collins - Karate -Techniques
Rita & Sakura - Talk of the Town -Columbia
The Lyrics - Music Like Dirt - Coxsone Records
Sam Cooke - Farewell My Darling -RCA
Sizzla - Just One of Those Days - VP

Axis Sound System DJ Gig 1st November

I will have the pleasure of DJing on the Axis sound system at the end of this month. So if you are located North please do check out the sound at Marshalls Bar in Hebden Bridge on Saturday 1st November. More about the mighty Axis soundsystem here:
www.axissound.co.uk
Really looking forward to it, and there's Caribbean food! Yum. Will try and take some pics.

Plum Valley dim sum for Autumn Moon Festival

Today I went to Chinatown with my family and we saw the lion dance for the Autumn Moon Festival. There were also some stalls an other entertainment going on, organised by the London Chinatown Association.
We decided to go to the new restaurant Plum Valley on Gerrard Street as I had heard good things about it. It is kind of a budget version of Hakkasan. Black wooden minimalist interiors with seating booths. I do like a booth. Also handy with small children as they can be 'trapped' in between 2 people in a booth (my daughter is very curious and constantly trying to escape). We ordered some dim sum and a couple of noodle dishes. All excellent. The prawn and chive dumplings had a nice spicey kick to them, the lo pak ko (turnip cakes) were exquisite (not greasy or rubbery and packed full of shrimps and pork). Lucky Cat recommends!
After that we went to the bakery next door and I bought a mini lotus seed paste moon cake. An afternoon well spent.

Credit Crunch Noodles Recipe

Packets of Asian brand noodles can make for a tasty and cheap meal and you'll feel less like a student if you add some fresh ingredients.

• One packet seafood flavour noodles
  
• Handful of beansprouts
  
• Handful of chopped coriander
  
• Handful of tiny, dried baby anchovies
  
• 1 egg
  
• 2 Finely chopped muschrooms
  
• 1 finely chopped spring onion or small leek
  
• 1 clove of garlic cut into slices
  
• Water
  
• Oil
  

First boil the egg for 8 minutes (nearly hard boiled but still a bit of a squidgey yolk). Set aside. Stir fry the baby anchovies, chopped mushrooms and spring onion for 2 mins then add the garlic slices. When nicely browned and fragrant remove from heat. Follow the instructions on the noodle packet to cook noodles. When done and in a bowl peel the egg and slice in half, place on top of noodles. Scatter the fried ingredients over the egg and noodles, then the beansprouts then the coriander. Add a wedge of lime if you want to get really sophisticated. Tuck in.

On the Wire mix 20th September 2008

Mr Steve Barker, journalist, broadcaster, dub connoisseur and current Beijing resident, very nicely asked me to contribute a one hour mix for his BBC Lancashire music show On The Wire. I am pleased to announce that my Lucky Cat mix will be aired on Saturday 20th September on BBC Radio Lancashire on 103.9, 95.5 & 104.5 FM and on 855 & 1557 AM and on local digital radio (all of these apply to Lancashire residents otherwise check the podcast or blog links below).
Podcast here:
http://odeo.com/channels/47901/rss.xml
Blog here:
http://otwradio.blogspot.com
About Steve Barker
BBC Lancashire page
http://14tracks.com - Steve's selections

Gratuitous Tony Leung Chiu Wai pic

from the upcoming John Woo film Red Cliff

Books of Interest

Some books I have enjoyed in recent times:

The Wind Up Bird Chronicle - Haruki Murakami
Atmospheric, weird, Japanese novel. Some startling imagery and Lynch-esque surreal story lines. Some of the novel focuses on the Japanese WWII history and at times I found the horrific war events hard to read. However I soldiered on (pun intended) and found the characters' stories enthralling. It's a long read but worth it in the end, it will have you thinking about the characters and the events long after you have read the last page. Just one more criticism, too many sandwich descriptions! More tofu please.

Journey to the West - Cheng'En Wu
Monkey. Pigsy. Sandy. Tripitaka. All the gang are here! After seeing the Japanese TV show 'Monkey Magic' as a child I was fascinated to read the original text (well, a translated and heavily abbreviated version). A truly wonderful and inspiring read. Which reminds me I saw that someone has kindly uploaded the animated film Uproar in Heaven to youtube. Check it out here, beautiful animation:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXUsvPvLUKw

Buddha - Osamu Tezuka
The life of Buddha (the 5th century BC Indian prince Siddhartha Gautama) told in 8 volumes of Manga. Drawn beautifully by the 'don dada' of Manga himself Tezuka. Addictive reading, it seems a challenge at first but speeds by. Jokes a plenty too. Thanks to Navindh for lending me the books.

Lucky Cat 16th October 2007

Teaser Trailer for Chen Kaige's Mei Lanfang Biopic

Originally it was rumoured that Tony Leung Chiu Wai was set to play the lead in this biopic about the Peking Opera star Mei Lanfang. Leon Lai actually takes the lead role, leaving Tony busy filming Red Cliff with John Woo. This trailer is really just some stills put together (a montage if you will). One day I will have my make up done like that!

Tibetan Films on @ ICA

The ICA in London has a season of Tibetan films, see:
www.ica.org.uk/
Kekexili: Mountain Patrol is showing which I thoroughly recommend. A beautiful and powerful film about the patrol assigned to protect the rare Tibetan antelope. I saw this film a few years ago and it only received a limited release here which was a shame. Unfortunately all too common with Asian movies here in the UK.

In the Mood Party Photos

Thanks to all who came down to Scooterworks for the In the Mood Party on Saturday 14th June. It was a great night with some fabulous cheongsams sported. Congratulations to contest winner Sagra who had the best heartbroken yearning pose! Thank you to Nick and Karen for their photography, here are some examples, to see more go to:
www.nickgwyer.com/scooter_work_06_08/index.html

Lucky Cat Episode 3, 9th Oct 2007

Visible Chinese web site entry

Mark Wu (who does the excellent blog One Inch Punch) has created a new web site called Visible Chinese. The site is a directory of individuals who have contributed to the UK's Chinese culture. I am delighted to announce that I have been listed on the web site:
http://www.visiblechinese.com/website/profile/zoe_baxter/

Third Circle of CAS Festival

Dance Now is at Sadler's Wells this Friday 13th Saturday 14th June, 8pm (Lilian Baylis Theatre). Chinatown Arts Space has produced this event in partnership with Sadler's Wells.

It's the culmination of two weeks intensive exchange between celebrated Guangdong Modern Dance Co's Liu Qi (choreographer / dancer) and gay British Vietnamese choreographer / dancer Anh Ngoc Nguyen, exploring the themes of connection & renewal.

Joining them are exciting British Chinese composer Suki Mok (heard interviewed on Lucky Cat early this year) and British HK dancer Maggie Kwan.

Lucky Cat Episode 2nd October 2007

Lucky Cat Party

Far East Film Festival

The Tiger Festival runs 29th May - 8th June in London at the ICA and Brighton.
Highlights include a documentary on Chinese Hip Hop Follow Your Heart, a Thai comedy 7 Days to Leave My Wife (pictured) and a Japanese musical Memories of Matsuko. Plus the Johnny To schizo police thriller Mad Detective and if that's not enough how about a very big monster in the Korean D-War?
See www.tigerfestival.com for details.

Koo Mei 顧媚

I recently purchased this Koo Mei record, lovely. Very In The Mood for Love. Koo Mei is on the Shanghai Lounge Divas CD and was a very popular singer in the 50's and 60's. You can see a clip of her singing in a Shaw Brothers movie (I presume as the logo keeps appearing!) on You Tube:

Singalong if you can read Chinese! More about Koo Mei's film career here:
http://www.hkcinemagic.com/en/people.asp?id=3247

Lucky Cat Series 2 Episode 1 - Listen Again

Click here to get your own player.


I'm going to be putting up all the episodes from Series 2 of Lucky Cat Sept 2007 - March 2008. Here is the first one. You can look up the recipe featured on this very blog.

Siao Fong Fong and Pals - Hong Kong Girl Group Tastic

Scooterworks Thai New Year Party

Here are some pics from the Songkran party at Scooterworks. Find more here: http://www.nickgwyer.com/sw/
Thanks to Nick and Karen for their happy snapping.

Five Circles Festival continues 18th April

Chinatown Arts Space present the second performance from their Five Circles Festival. (The first was the Dragon Tongue Squad, Kevin Quan and Suki Mok show). At the Royal Opera House once again:

Classic Film, Contemporary Score (UK/China)
Friday 18 April 2008, 8pm
Linbury Studio Theatre at the Royal Opera House
£12 Adults, £8 Students & ROH Access List, £5 Standing

World premiere by four British Chinese composer/musicians Chi2, Jiang Li and Kimho Ip of an exciting new score for the award-winning Chinese silent movie Song of the Fishermen (1934).

Royal Opera House Box Office: 020 7304 4000
Online booking: www.roh.org.uk

Playlist Tuesday 25th March 2008

• Introduction - Welcome To Thailand - Thai Pop Spectacular 1960s-1980s
  
• Crazy 4 Hip Hop - Dragon Tongue Squad
  
• Yellow Bird - Rita & Sakura
  
• How Sentimental Can I Be - The Mellows & Lillian Leach
  
• Bye Bye Seventeen - Poon Sow Keng
  
• Lullabye of the Bells - The Deltaires
  
• Ding Dong Song - Siao Fong Fong (pictured in her role as Jet Li's Mum in Fong Sai Yuk - one of my favourite movies)
  
• Lung Dee Kee Mao (Uncle Dee is a Drunk) - P.Promdan
  
• You Better Stop - Lavern Baker
  
• What's the Use of Getting Sober - Louis Jordan
  
• Bye Bye Boogie - Amos Milburn
  
• Dusty Old Dust - Woody Guthrie
  
• Zaijian - Siao Fong Fong
  
• Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye - Pat Kelly
  
• Farewell My Darling - Eugene Paul
  
• Bye Bye Blackbird - Etta James
  

That was the last Lucky Cat of the current series. I will return to the airwaves.....in 6 months or so, to be updated on this and other Lucky Cat events join the mailing list by emailing me luckycatzoe at gmail.com

Lucky Cat Thai New Year Party @ Scooterworks

Malaysia's Elvis - Les Lee

Recent purchase. Will be played on tomorrow night's show. Nice cravat Les.

Manhua! CHINA COMICS NOW

Manhua or Chinese comics can be found on display at the London College of Communication, Elephant & Castle. See the China Now web site for more details.
The image to the left is by Chinese comic veteran Nie Chongrui.
Alex Fitch is fetauring the exhibition on his Resonance FM radio show Strip! on Thursday 13th March. Tune in on 104.4FM in London or at www.resonancefm.com anywhere.
Hey, don't forget to listen to my show, Lucky Cat, too - 10pm Tuesdays on Resonance FM.

Playlist Tuesday 4th March 2008

• Honey How you Like Your Eggs - Marseille Figs (from the latest CD The Dirty Canon available to buy now see http://www.marseillefigs.org for details)
  
• Spring in Fairyland - Unknown Chinese singer from LP of the same name
  
• Dirty Little Monkey - Marseille Figs
  
• Girly, Girly - Sophia George
  
• Police Officer - Smiley Culture
  
• Push Up U Lighter - Top Cat
  
• This Town Needs a Sheriff - Shut Up & Dance
  
• Honemade Aishite - Rita & Sakura
  
• Harbour Lights - Billy Ward & His Dominoes feat. Clyde McPhatter & Jackie Wilson
  
• Don't Fall Asleep at the Wheel - Marseille Figs
  
• Get Out My Life Woman - Lee Dorsey
  
• Monkey Spanner - Dave & Ansel Collins
  

Tonight's Dim Sum Lunch Box featured steamed rice buns filled with black sesame syrup coated with crumbled cashew nuts and coconut. Yum. These little dim sum delicacies were from Dragon Castle restaurant in Elephant & Castle, London SE17.

Playlist Tuesday 26th February 2008

• Good Ways - Sizzla
  
• Japanese title - Mizuhara Hiroshi from Seishun uta nenkan '61 BEST (1960's J-Pop)
  
• I Yi Yi Yi - Carmen Miranda
  
• Pirate Jenny - Nina Simone
  
• Fire Bun - Louie Culture
  
• Pickin' Off Peanuts - Seven Foot Dilly and his Dill Pickles
  
• Japanese title - Nagai Frank from Seishun uta nenkan '62 BEST
  
• Three of These Things - Susan from Funk Soul Sisters LP
  
• Japanese title - Ai George Seishun uta nenkan '65 BEST
  
• Shotgun Wedding - Roy C
  
• Passion Flower - The Peanuts (Japanese girl duo, pictured)
  
• Old Black Magic - Louis Prima & Keeley Smith
  
• You Can Have Him - Nina Simone
  
• Kitty, Stop Meowing - Beijing Angelic Choir (played whilst eating dim sum lunch box - Chinese peanut satay and Chinese chicken livers, recipes to follow....)
  
  

East Asian Artists Wanted

LONDON CHINATOWN - PUBLIC ART COMMISSION OPPORTUNITIES

As part of the Chinatown Arts Festival 2008: Five Circles, London based arts organisation Chinatown Arts Space (CAS), and Chinatown’s principal landowner, Shaftesbury PLC, are working in creative partnership to commission two major new pieces of exciting public art for London's Chinatown.

HORSE & DOLPHIN YARD : MURAL COMMISSION
WHO: East Asian* artists born or resident in the UK are invited to submit proposals
VALUE: £6,000
WHAT: Create a vibrant contemporary artwork suitable for external display for 2 years.

WARDOUR STREET : SCULPTURE COMMISSION
WHO: All East Asian* artists worldwide are invited to submit proposals
VALUE: £20,000
WHAT: Create a permanent eye-catching three-dimensional artwork in any medium that is
suitable to withstand the elements.

NOTE THE DEADLINE HAS NOW BEEN EXTENDED:
DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES: 28th MARCH 2008


Full entry details of the requirements for submission of proposals, and the specifics of each site, can be downloaded from www.chinatownartsspace.com. For more information, please contact Parker Harris on T. +44 (0)1372 462190 or E. cas@parkerharris.co.uk

*East Asia includes: Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, China, East Timor, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, North Korea, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and their diasporas

Dragon Tongue Squad

The DTS came on last week's Lucky Cat radio show and 'mashed it up' with their freestyling! I was very impressed with their skills and later I found out that J-Fever is the freestyle champion of China. Thanks to DJ Geko for providing an excellent selection of beats for Dragon Tongue Squad. I went to see the performance at the Royal Opera House which was pretty good but I think having them on the show freestyling was a better experience, I hope you all enjoyed listening. If you missed the show I will be putting it online in an archive soon. To be notified of when this happens or to join the Lucky Cat mailing list please email me luckycatzoe@gmail.com.

Photos of Catch the Rat party

Fifi has put up some photos of the Chinese New Year party at Scooterworks, view them all here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/scooterworks/sets/72157603923829315/

I think I was dancing in the pic shown so looks like there is no DJ!

The next party will be for Thai New Year (Songkran) on 12th April. Email me at luckycatzoe AT gmail.com to join the Lucky Cat mailing list for updates.

Dragon Tongue Squad on Lucky Cat tomorrow!

I am delighted to announce that I will be joined by China's premier Hip Hop crew Dragon Tongue Squad live in the studio tomorrow night! Join me for Lucky Cat Tuesday 19th February at 10pm on Reosnance FM - 104.4FM in London or online anywhere at www.resonancefm.com

The DTS are playing this Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd February at Linbury Studios, The Royal Opera House along with Kevin Quan (DJ Phat) and Suki Mok. Tickets: 020 7304 4000

Playlist Tuesday 12th February 2008

• Are You Tired of Me Already? - Thongmark Leacha (from Molam vol 2, pictured)
  
• Glad to Be Unhappy - Billie Holiday
  
• Teaching the Daughter - Thongmark Leacha
  
• All Out To Get You - The Beat
  
• Cry about the Radio - Mary Weiss
  
• Ladies, Let's Dance! - Pairin Pongpiboon
  
• Yuge, Songs of the Fishermen - Guqin Music of Liang Mingyue
  
• Asking For Her Hand in Marriage - Group Singsiri
  
• Stick By Me - John Holt
  

Molam: Thai Country Groove From Isan Vol. 2 is available to buy on CD from: www.sublimefrequencies.com

Playlist Tuesday 5th February 2008

• The Dum Dum - Tajai
  
• Audio clip of DJ Phat (scratching) & Suki Mok (Spanish guitar)
  
• Flowers and Juveniles - 12 Girl Band Shanghai
  
• Talk of the Town - Rita and Sakura
  
• Youlan, Lonely Orchid - Guqin Music of Liang Mingyue
  
• Love's a Dangerous Game - Mary Weiss
  
• Do I Make Myself Clear - Etta James & Sugarpie De Santo
  

David Tse, Suki Mok and Kevin Quan on tonight's show

On tonight's Lucky Cat radio show on Resonance FM I will be joined live in the studio by David Tse of China Town Arts Space, Spanish guitarist Suki Mok and DJ/scratch artist Kevin Quan (aka DJ Phat).
Suki Mok and Keving Quan will be performing with the Beijing rappers Dragon Tongue Squad at the Royal Opera House later this month as part of the Five Circles Arts Festival.

Show starts at 10pm tonight (Tuesday) and is repeated at 2pm on Friday on 104.4FM in London or online at www.resonancefm.com

www.chinatownartsspace.com

Lap Cheong Fried Rice

Serves 4-6 people

Pack of Wing Wing Brand Chinese Sausages (Lap Cheong)
4 Eggs - scramble and set aside
1 Large onion - chopped
2 cloves garlic - minced
2" knob of ginger - chopped finely
Handful of dried shrimp - soak in boiled water 30 mins
3 teaspoons preserved/pickled vegetables
2 dessert spoons pickled turnip
Mustard Greens - chopped
Fennel chopped
8-10 baby sweetcorn, chopped roughly
Pre cooked rice
Cider Vingar
Soya Sauce
Black Pepper

The great thing about fried rice is you can add anything you want and it's a good dish for leftovers. I used fennel as I thought it would go well with the lap cheong, I have had it with chorizo before and the aniseed flavour compliments the pork sausage. I used Cider vinegar for a change as I am always using rice wine and I thought the apple vinegar taste would also compliment the pork. I was very pleased with the results.

The most important thing is to have all your ingredients ready before hand. First fry the chopped lap cheong (chop on the diagonal) in a small amount of oil. Remove and place on paper. Add a little more oil to the wok and hea, then add the onions. Followed by garlic, preserved veg, pickled turnip, fennel, mustard greens, baby sweetcorn, rice and lap cheong. Keep stirring so it all gets really mixed in. Flavour with cider vinegar, soya sauce and black peppper.

Playlist Tuesday 29th January 2008

• Pussy Cat Bite Me - Prince Buster
  
• Rats - The Tiger
  
• Turtle's Song To The Wolf - The Mice and the Bad Angel
  
• Frightened Billows - Cantonese Mental Music LP
  
• Hey There - Sammy Davis Jnr, Rat Pack Live
  
• I Can't Give You Anything But Love - Dean Martin, Rat Pack Live
  
• Too Marvellous For Words - Frank Sinatra, Rat Pack Live
  
• Pennie From Heaven - Frank Sinatra, Rat Pack Live
  
• A Foggy Day in London Town - Frank Sinatra, Rat Pack Live
  
• I Love Cha Cha - Siao Fong Fong
  
• African Jazz Cha Cha - Ginger Folorunso Johnson
  
• Cha Cha Cha De Las Secretarias - Monchito and his Mambos Royals
  
• Cha Cha Merengue - Ed Daniels & The Seasiders
  

Playlist Tuesday 22nd January 2008

• Laziest Gal in Town - Nina Simone
  
• Jauh Jauh - Jimmy Boyle (from Malaysia in Modern Mood LP)
  
• I've Got a Feelin' - Big Maybelle
  
• Jackie Chan - The Toasters
  
• Kick Ass (No Trouble) - Jackie Chan (from the Rush Hour soundtrack)
  
• Endless Love - Jackie Chan and Kin Hee Sun (from The Myth soundtrack)
  
• Fist of Fury - Prince Jammy
  
• Karate Boogaloo - Jerry-o
  
• Flowers on the Mountain - Wong Chin
  
• A Wa Do Dem - Eek a Mouse
  
• Mulan - Jackie Chan (theme from the Disney movie)
  
• Valley of Green - Jackie Opel
  

This week's dim sum lunchbox containes a favourite cake of Jackie Chan's:
Smashed Oreo cookie cake. Go here for the recipe:
www.jackiechankids.com/files/Smash_Cake_Page.htm

Lucky Cat Night @ Scooterworks

I am throwing a party to celebrate the Year of the Rat. I will be cooking some dim sum lunch box recipes and playing my usual mix of East Asian & Western music. Expect Etta James, Anita Mui, Thai Molam, Toots and the Maytals, Betty Chung, Lee Dorsey and Rita Chao (pictured). Scooterworks is a lovely cafe/bar on Lower Marsh, SE1, just 3 mins walk from Waterloo station.

She likes smarties and she can kick your arse

Here's the trailer for the new Prachya Pinkaew (Thai director of Ong Bak, Tom Yum Goong/Warrior King) movie Chocolate

Dragon Tongue Squad - Beijing Hip Hop comes to London

I am very excited about this event: Chinatown Arts Space presents an evening of East/West musical collaboration with a live performance from Beijing Hip Hop crew Dragon Tongue Squad and UK scratch master DJ Phat (Kevin Quan) and Spanish guitarist Suki Mok. There will also be a dance performance from Blazian.

When?
Thursday 21 & Friday 22 February 2008, 8pm
Where?
Linbury Studio Theatre, Royal Opera House
How much?
£12 Adults, £8 Students & ROH Access List, £5 Standing

links:
www.chinatownartsspace.com
www.roh.org.uk

I hope to have Dragon Tongue Squad come on my Resonance FM show, watch this space. . .

Bitter Melon Recipe

An acquired taste, the bitter melon aka bitter gourd, draws out the sweetness of other flavours creating a harmonious balance.
I recently had a very nice Surinamese bitter melon dish in Amsterdam, unable to find the exact recipe but it was similar to this recipe for Steamed, stuffed bitter melon with black bean sauce.

For all things bitter melon see the National Bitter Melon Council's web site:
www.bittermelon.org