Chinese Music Blog

I’ve heard of this newcomer for awhile, never thought I’d like his music. Once I listen to the album, I can’t put it off.

Even though Khalil started his career in Hong Kong, he decided to use Mandarin for this album. It may be a better choice as in it can reach a wider audience. The songs are a mix of soul, R&B and hip hop. It’s very rare in Chinese music and very fresh to listen. Khalil composed, arranged and produced almost all the songs in the album, and even wrote some of the lyrics.

The prologue is a spoken intro by himself consisting of Mandarin, Cantonese and English, which shows his fluency in the 3 languages. “妹妹 Mei Mei” is a song he composed for his cousin sister. The repeated melody is catchy and the lyrics are sweet. Following is “春风吹 Chun Feng Chui“, an accapella song except for the beat. A very addictive song indeed, the tune keeps stuck in my head, so as track 9, “我们能不能 Wo Men Neng Bu Neng“, another catchy R&B about anti war and racism. Both have been my favourites.

The beat of track 6, “叫我怎么说 Jiao Wo Zen Me Shuo” reminds me of Michael Jackson’s “Butterflies”. More to my excitement, there’s a little part of him beat boxing. Romantic R&B ballads “每天每天 Mei Tian Mei Tian” and “总结 Zong Jie” are both worth listening too.

My favourite song goes to track 8, “南音 Nan Yin“. It starts with a slow melody yet the instrumentation and complicity build up towards the end. The melody is simple yet so creative that every line gives me unexpected surprise, while the ending of the song with a line of Er Hu is complementary and not intrusive at all. The lyrics by 林夕 Lin Xi are excellent. It’s about a sad and true story of a blind musician, whose rare talent was not appreciated. It’s definitely an amazing Blues/Soul song.

It’s worth to take note that there’s a hidden track after “等着你回来 Deng Zhe Ni Hui Lai“, the remake of an Chinese oldies. What’s more of that is before the bonus song, there is a recorded conversation where Khalil tries to start a conversation with a girl in a coffee shop. The dialogue really makes me scream: How sweet! :D

Khalil has to be very talented in arrangement. All the songs in the album have very additive beats and they never make you bored. His ad-libs can be so creative and soulful, but it’s so smooth and pleasant that you don’t feel that it’s exaggerating.

I’ve never been so excited listening to an album after Justin’s debut album. No matter you like or don’t like this soul boy, this is a must-listen album. Another advice, listen to ALL the songs.

Track listing:

1. Prologue
2. 妹妹 Mei Mei (Little Sister)
3. 春风吹 Chun Feng Chui (Spring Breeze)
4. 每天每天 Mei Tian Mei Tian (Everyday)
5. 女人 Nv Ren (Women)
6. 叫我怎么说 Jiao Wo Zen Me Shuo (Tell Me How To Say)
7. 哪怕 Na Pa (Who’s Scared)
8. 南音 Nan Yin (Sound of the South)
9. 我们能不能 Wo Men Neng Bu Neng (Can We?)
10. 跳 Tian (Jump)
11. 总结 Zong Jie (Conclusion)
12. 赶场 Gan Chang (Rushing)
13. 等着你回来 Deng Zhe Ni Hui Lai (Waiting For You To Be Back)

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