When I come back from my travels, it is hard for me to share what I experienced since I’m always still processing it—and everything I say seems trite. Words seem to escape me. I spent a month in China this spring (Mid April to Mid May 2011). It was amazing but when people asked me how it was “I could only say ‘amazing’. This cacophony of sounds is my attempt to share a bit of my experiences there. The
Mandazi-Dumpling Stuff It Mix is a collection of some of the recordings I made in China and music that I djayed in the Southern city of Yizhou—thanks to my friend, Jimmy, and his childhood bestys! Many of the recordings are reworked, stretched, blown out, and roboticized thanks to the wonders of audio editing software but isn’t that what music is. Here’s a Chinese travelogue from my perspective. Sound is Music. Everything has a beat. That means the dance floor is my church!
Um, What was that sound?!?
Muslim Quarter of Xian---JC and I eating lamb on a stick while our streetside waiters hustled for the next bleary eyed tourist (sounds: streetside waiters/advertising, lamb sizzling, bike bells, yelps) (Xi’an)
Chinese Opera---JC and I riding bikes on top of the fortress of Xi’an. The intoxicating sounds of an opera right outside of the wall below us calls us from our mechanical horses to listen to this makeshift performance in the park (sounds: opera singer/waitress voice) (Xi’an)
Strawberry Festival (Tongzhou Canal Park)---African Drumming in China! Exists! (sounds: 8 to 10 drummers) (Beijing)
Strawberry Festival (Tongzhou Canal Park)---Hanggai is an amazing Mongolian sonic centered anthem rock group based in Beijing. (sounds: throat singing, traditional Mongolian instruments) (Beijing)
The Great Mosque of Xi'an---Evening Call to Prayer (sounds: call to prayer, people running through the Mosque garden to Worship…that would totally be me all of the time) (Xi’an)
Shadow Puppet Show in Xi’an---Apparently, the art of shadow puppetry started in Xi’an. (sounds: 3 actors playing multiple characters, bells, chimes, unseen instruments)
Li River--- We (Jun, JC, and I) took a river cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo (sounds: stewardess trying to sell us something or tell us about the history of the river sites) (Li River)
Nightclub Sounds
Dance Move #1: Wena Ng’Hamba Nawe (2007) by DJ Cleo (South African Kwaito, House, and Hip Hop DJ and Producer)
Dance Move #2: Chukua (2007) by Longombas (Formerly Kenyan based Soukous and Hip Hop Performance Duo—and their twins)
Dance Move #3: Safari Disco Club (2011) by Yelle (French Electronic trio)
Dance Move #4: Nasty Bass (2011) by Schlachthofbronx ft. Spoek Mathambo (South African based DJ and Producer)
Dance Move #5: Najivunia (2011) by Trapee and Avril (Kenyan Anthem of the Ages—My opinion)
Dance Move #6: Hunting (Tom Piper Vs. Neki Stranac Moombahton Mix 2011) by Malente Vs Azzido Da Bass (German Electronic Producer Duo)
After-Party Wind Down
Imuhar (2010) by Bombino (Musician and Revolutionary songwriter from the Niger)
Credits and Muchisima Thanks!
Album Art: Jalane Holidae
China Trip Experience and Guidance: Jimmy Tang and Bestys
Shipmate/Co-pilot: JC
Backbone/Support Team: Bent, Rat, Trash, Danielle, and Amrita
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