Mahkota- The Making 2

Once again, back in the studios to complete MAHKOTA, the lead violin part..=)
And since it's a public holiday for Selangor, i seize the opportunity to get it done quickly. Main reason is i would like to send the file over to my arranger/ violinist friend, Peng Fei in Shanghai to record the orchestra over the weekend and to hopefully record in GuangZhou, as the cost there would be much better.
So well, this time with a "click" track, Peng Fei's job gonna be so much easier right?

Peng Fei's a very good friend of mine and is also a fellow jazz violinist/ arranger/ Composer like me based in Shanghai, China.
Probably one of the best musician i know around the globe!
Here's WHY & a little biodata about him being the maestro himself!

Violinist and Composer Peng Fei has been selected to compose music for the official celebrations at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.

Peng Fei graduated 3 times with highest distinction from Shanghai Conservatory of Music on classic violin performance (2000), the Royal Brussels Music Conservatory majored in jazz performance and composition (2002) and the Royal Conservatory of THE HAGUE where he studied with saxophonist John Ruocco (2003). Peng Fei composes music for international brand advertising, TV commercials, documentaries, TV dramas and movies.

He has appeared worldwide as a performer and music director: the 2002 German Castal Jazz Festival; 2003 Macau International Jazz Festival with jazz great Eugene Pao special performance; 2005 Singapore Art Of Chinese Festival, 2005 Hong Kong International art festival-All that shanghai jazz, 2005 Hong Kong International Jazz Festival-Coco Zhao/Peng Fei special performance; 2006 Malaysian Miri international Jazz Festival-All that shanghai jazz, 2006 Canadian Montreal International Jazz Festival- Possicobilities Band special performance.

Peng Fei appears in 2007 at the Montreal Jazz Festival and at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

Peng Fei & Dennis Lau@ Penang Jazz 2007

*This album has been an honored to have you(Peng Fei) to be a part of it, and my sincere gratitude and appreciation goes to you for the arrangements of Prelude in F minor & Mahkota*

This evening@ Arkstudios



I love recording, why because thats the only time when i will try to play best to perfection and that the same time, dressed DOWN..haha=)

My trustie Studio Enginner, Joe Loy, Thanks Mate!=)

Thanks

Peace- Good Music, Better Place

God Bless!

Dennis Lau
www.mosaic.com.my

Track 9 with All Star lineup: Lewis Pragasam, Ken Chung & Cher Siang

Dear all,
SELAMAT HARI RAYA to start off with to all Muslim friends and Malaysians as well who are celebrating this very erm..Special occasion.
However, Hari Raya this year to me was indeed very productive..One thing good in public holidays is that Musicians get to rest too and this is the only time where i could get all my selected recording musicians friends together to record my track for the album.
2 more Songs to go and the album would be heading for post production...So erm, well..for now, i call this New Track- track No.9 first rather then having it untitled. I shall NOT revealed too much of this song yet but today, i have the honored and privileged to record with One of the world's top and best drummer- Lewis Pragasam. Whom we both worked together back then in the David Tao's concert in 2006. Having Sir Lewis in the recording certainly brought the music to another level...F**K Yeah! His tone, touch, Feel, Groove is just ahh, Perfect!

A lil writeup of Lewis:

Lewis Pragasam is one of the most highly-regarded musicians to emerge from Asia. He is considered virtually an
icon in his homeland and has been hailed as a music legend in Asia. He has garnered international critical acclaim
as one of Asia’s leading percussionists and an innovator of new trends in world music. Lewis is the founder and
moving spirit of the pioneering Asiabeat project, started in 1979, whose recordings and performances are now
legendary in the merging of Asian and Western musical styles.

The Asiabeat project has 5 recordings released worldwide since 1982, namely: Asiabeat, Dare To Dream, Spirit
Of The People, Drumusique (live) and Monsoon. The project under Lewis’ leadership has toured/performed in
festivals all over the world including the Hong Kong Arts Festival, Perth Festival of Music and Nigata Cultural Festival
(Japan).

He has toured, performed and/or recorded with many internationally renowned artistes – Paul Jackson, Tony Levin,
Billy Cobham, Jeff Berlin, Ernie Watts, Andy Sheppard, Randy Bernsen, David Mann, Anthony Curits, Randy
Crawford, John ‘Kaizan’ Neptune, Bob James, Ottmar Liebert, Torninho Horta amongst others. Lewis has performed
at major festivals around the world including a Royal Command Performance for HRH The Prince of Wales, Prince
Charles (Prince Trust Concert) in Edinburgh.

He has produced and organized numerous percussion festivals all over South East Asia working with various
percussion exponents/groups – Steve Thornton, Yaya Diallo, Pete Lockett, Shanxi Drummers, ‘Parry Pan’s’ Steel
Drum Orhestra, ‘Tokyo Dagaki’ Taiko ensemble, Guru Karakkudi R. Mani, ‘Guardians of the Flame’ Mardi Gras
Indians, ‘Tepak Rampak’ Drum Ensemble of Indonesia, Drum Drum & the Siale Dancers and many other
percussion ensembles from South East Asia.

Lewis also travels extensively conducting drum and percussion clinics/workshops. His ‘Trash’ percussion group
perform and conduct workshops for children utilizing recyclable material to make interesting percussion instruments.
Pragasam received the prestigious ‘Fulbright Scholarship’ from the US government in 1990. He served as ‘Artiste In
Residence’ at East Carolina University, NC, as well as lecturing at various academic institutions all over the US.

He has recently published a series of methods for learning drum styles with Mel Bay entitled "Drum Talk".

The Maestro himself=)

I recorded the rhythm section as usual with my two other Top musicians: Ken Chung & Cher Siang to form the Core of the whole music and to give it a real steady backbone. Certainly Lewis has graciously helped me in doing so..Also, at the same time or probably in the near future, we would be working on some upcoming new projects which definitely i look forward to!
P/S: A little hint *is a Vocals & Violin duet" Double V!
BUT whose the singer? Stay tuned!

Here are some pics for your feasting!

Lewis & Joe

Engineer Joe & Ken Chung

Rehearsing Track 9

Lewis & Dennis rehearsing


Ken Chung on Bass

Lovebirds.-_-""

With the Serious Shit himself: Lewis Pragasam


My new found music enthusiastic friends: Adrian & Jasmine Chuah. Thanks so much for coming and thanks for the breakfast! *winks*
Jasmine is absolutely in love with music and i really admired her enthusiasm and passion towards it, same goes to Adrian who in fact endure the entire recording session which well, thats quite something. Anyway, thanks for the support and we shall continue with our "Serious Shits"!

Dennis Lau & Joe. Thanks for the session today man!

Dennis Lau & Jasmine

Thanks

Peace- Good Music, Better Place

God Bless!

Dennis Lau
www.mosaic.com.my