Jay Chou-Huo Yuan Chia

Do you like kung fu? Do enjoy hip hop? What about Chinese opera? If all of the above appeal to you, then you've got to listen to Jay Chou's latest EP, Huo Yuan Chia. Chou's songs create visual imagery that is rich with cultural influences and beauty. In the song "Huo Yuan Chia", Chou has incorporated Chinese musical instruments like the "gu zheng", flute and drums, along with a special rhythm unique to Chinese kung fu. He mixes these intrinsically Chinese elements with hip hop music and the singing techniques of Chinese opera to create a strong, impressive climax to this song. After listening to the CD, you'll feel like you've just done a routine of the "Huo-style Fist", as every cell in your body electrified by the rhythm. Dancing is irrestible when you listen to this release. --By Nelson Huang, translated by Cara Steenstra