"INSPIRED" by someone who shares the same passion, "Sudden Twist" finally kicked off in Full Throttle in The Factory Music Studios. This time with a live band setting, with drummer Lewis Pragasam, Bassist Ken Chung & myself on keys. However, the "twist" is that Lewis let it all loose on an all new Roland's Electronic Drumkit.
The recording was a success, with all of us including engineer/ producer Yuri Wong getting the vibe and feel of the song better as the rehearsals cum recording sessions pass. And I'm glad Lewis did got used to the kit which just arrived last Friday. and He was the first to lay the groove down. Each Kick, Snare, Toms, Cymbals very much resembles an original acoustic kit and it will be great fun experimenting with Live Style of playing with Electric Beats later in the stage of production. "Sudden Twist" is based on a concept of which It would be included in the album as well after some considerations and dilemma. I thought why not let the violin shows its prowess and versatility and the ability to blend in with a funky live setting with solos from each instruments- Sax, Violin, Electric Guitar and the Drums. You will get what i mean when this project's done, in time. Also, the ideology and music arrangements of the song would have the influence of Babyface and KC & Jojo.*winks*
I laid down the keys this morning as a guide before heading towards another Studio on Thursday to record the Grand. A good one i believe after much recommendation frm my mate, Yuri. and similarly, i pray the session then would be a good one..or better!=)
Wish me Luck alright! Dennis on Keys with Phillip STarck *winks* Factory's latest Baby & Everyone wants to give it a try on it.....=) *winks* Ken Chung on Fender Bass Lewis laying the Groove Its a Wrap for the first session of recording!- Ken Chung, Lewis Pragasam, Dennis Lau, Yuri Wong
Here's a Sneak Peak of our session earlier this morning=)
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
Dear Peeps, Promised to update y'all about my recent videos so here are two videos of the Milus Watch Launch last month in Marriot, do enjoy!
"I Just Wanna" by Dennis Lau. Performed this for the media/ press
The Royal Performance which i had the honored to do so for the Raja and Raja Permaisuri of Perlis: "Son of a Chinese" by Ken Chung performed by Dennis Lau - I absolutely love this song...hope you all enjoy it as much as i do! - a few pointers to listen out to, Ken Chung's bass & Cher Siang's piano solo.=)
An art and photography enthusiast, MUSIC is my life. Willing to explore the outer boundaries of life, in search of inspirations and turning them to aspirations, so as to face whatever challenges, and to keep on learning new things...
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