Playlist Roulette ~ For [June]

Did you know that PLT soloist and collaborator, June, was once signed to Big Hit Entertainment and trained with BTS? True story. In fact, he is credited with writing and producing their songs Lost, Awake, and Not Today. Additionally, he has written and produced music for other groups/artists, including Suran and IU. If you are not familiar with PLT, it is a collaborative R&B/hip hop project (not group) of soloists under Planetarium Records. The Strictly Korean playlist decided this is how the new series would begin and I have to say, it has quite a sense of humor. It shuffled out the track For off of June’s first album, Today’s, a song he sings in English.🤷🏻‍♀️

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On My Playlist ~ Paradise [TRCNG]

I never considered myself a person plagued by any kind of serious compulsive disorder but maybe I should rethink that when it comes to music. Heh. I admit that I often get fixated on an artist or group, or even genre when it comes to music. As a result, that fixation will keep me in a holding pattern where nothing else sneaks in for even a second. This can last for hours, days, weeks, even months. But then every so often, I move out of that compulsive mindset and just hit the shuffle button and let the music chips fall where they may. That happened this past weekend and I was pleasantly surprised when TRCNG’s Paradise shuffled its way out first.

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On My Playlist ~ Nemo [Taemin]

Truth be told, every song on Taemin’s Act One: Never Gonna Dance Again is in shuffle mode looping endlessly as I pass these quarantine days in this current work from home environment. It has been my constant companion since its September 7th release. At this point, I should simply succumb to the desire to gush over every track and am considering it because as far as I’m concerned, each deserves its moment in the spotlight. However for now, I choose to honor Nemo because in a recent commentary, Taemin intimated that it is his favorite track on the album.

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On My Playlist ~ I’m In Trouble [NU’EST]

I know. I KNOW! It has been 8 years since Nu’est debuted. And I know I am coming to the party late. LATE! But the fact of the matter is, I am here and their latest release has my full attention. And once something catches my attention, the research begins and I travel back in time to become acquainted with something I probably should have checked out years prior. It’s how I roll lately. I guess I am a late K-pop bloomer but I am sure JR, Aron, Baekho, Minhyun, and Ren would be thrilled that I love the title track, I’m In Trouble off of their 8th mini-album, The Nocturne. It seems rather serendipitous don’t you think, that I am discovering Nu’est with such excited interest now in what is their 8th year with their 8th mini-album? The K-pop gods always have a plan!

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On My Playlist ~ Sunrise [Got7 JB]

I have to admit that over the past year I have been listening to more and more Korean R&B. So it stands to reason then that when a K-pop group, member(s) and/or sub-unit(s) within those groups take a trip on the R&B highway, I have been finding myself boarding that bus. Got7 is one of those groups. And even though they have been pumping out music since 2014, my sheltered, single-focused fangirl ears never wandered to have a listen. All I can say is this: I missed out . . . like in, missed the bus completely! Specifically where leader JB is concerned.

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On My Playlist ~ Sam Kim

Have you experienced the vocal stylings of Sam Kim yet? If not, please get on board because you will not be disappointed. This young Korean-American singer-songwriter-composer-guitarist has some serious talent wrapped in his very young yet amazingly mature 21 years (or 22, if you are playing by Korean age rules). Sam barreled into my lane about six months ago when he released a three song EP, Sun and Moon, Pt. 1 and I have not wasted any time gobbling up everything he has recorded and released.

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The Soulful Countdown to G.O’s Discharge ~ Day 697

I sometimes try to imagine what this countdown series would have been like had I only filled it with Vocal Virtuosity moments. Then again, every song, video or the like shared here throughout this entire countdown has actually been that kind of moment. Early on in one of the blog posts here, I labeled G.O a virtuoso at his craft. And initially when the word synced up in my mind to describe G.O, it was because of his music. But as it turns out, a virtuoso can also be someone who is skilled in any artistic pursuit. And although music may be the auto default for G.O (for good reason), I think it can apply to him across many of his artistic endeavors. For the purpose of this countdown series however, I chose to single out his virtuosity as a vocalist. Today I want to fall into G.O’s incredibly smooth and sensual vocal stylings as captured in the opening track of Ty Project No. 1, Intro, because it is exactly what some of us can use right now to soothe our souls, and heat up these cold winter days.

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The Soulful Countdown to G.O’s Discharge ~ Day 686

Ever since acquainting myself with G.O and learning a little bit about his artistic journey, I have been on a quest to find as many copies of Tykeys’ Ty Project No. 1, literally the first full studio album he recorded (to my knowledge any way). When I find a copy, I buy it. This past week, I found another copy so that always seems to ignite my desire to revisit Tykeys’ performances and it occurred to me that 연상연하 [Old & Young], one of the two singles released from the album was a perfect candidate for a Vocal Virtuosity moment. Specifically, the live performance from the Tykeys showcase way back in February or March 2007. The studio version is great. But my favorite live version, vocally speaking, is the showcase performance. Continue reading “The Soulful Countdown to G.O’s Discharge ~ Day 686”

The Soulful Countdown to G.O’s Discharge ~ Day 672

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I am sorry but lately Tykeys have commandeered my playlists and when that happens, I invariably want to share the greatness of G.O’s work. Even though I recently shared an I’m Sorry clip, I am traveling down that road once more here today as there can never be too much vocal virtuosity in an eight day span. I think G.O’s recent (and nostalgic) update where he posted a picture of himself from his Tykeys’ days has triggered my desire to revisit the memories and the music. Today a short clip of I’m Sorry (yes, again) from Tykey’s visit to the SBS Power FM Cultwo Show back on 2 August 2007.

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The Soulful Countdown to G.O’s Discharge ~ Day 664

I am one of G.O’s fans who has a healthy appreciation for the creative collaboration and subsequent music that was born during his time with Tykeys. Every song, including Su’s solo work, is a candidate for the Vocal Virtuosity list. Every single one. Lately, R&B has taken a firmer foothold in South Korea (much to my delight); however, back in 2007, it did not get the exposure and respect it deserved. Inasmuch as Ty Project No. 1 was an amazing album, in my opinion, it never got proper recognition, promotion and airplay. I listen to it quite a bit so it gets lots of airplay in my house! Often when I am listening to it, I long to hear the present and seasoned vocalist G.O sing the songs of that album. The closest we actually came to that was when G.O appeared with rapper Nassun on Trend-E’s The Muzit show back on 9 October 2010 wherein he sang 22 seconds of Tykeys’ first single, I’m Sorry. And it was twenty-two seconds of absolute vocal virtuosity.

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