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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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)

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

Playlist:

• 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

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).

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

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

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

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

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

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)

• 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

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

Today's Lucky Cat - Sat Feb 19th 2011

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)

• 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

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)

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

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!

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

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 - The Chantals (7" Jpop)
Carnival - Apache (7" late 1970s Jpop girl group, copy of the band Candies, see also Pink Lady)
Japanese Title - Soft Cream (7" 80's idol Jpop)
A Ton of Dynamite - Frankie the Love Man Crocker (Turbo label 7")
Gold of My Life - Mixed Emotions (7" on Rockway label 1975)
The above selections are all from Adam Torel's record bag.
Going to the River - Eric 'Monty. Morris (Blue Beat label 7")

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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

9 Screens 10,000 Waves

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

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

Listen to my Hero Q & A

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

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

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.)