Philein
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Philein

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"Sonumu CD review"

By Roger "Red" Byrne
Freelancers United, Inc

Expecting more of a J-Pop album, Chinese singer/songwriter Philein's Child of No Nation (http://www.philein.com) turned out to be a welcome surprise. Sure, the playful keyboards that often drive J-Pop songs are running amok here, but it's quite Western-ized. Like the title of the album, Philein is caught between two countries: The cute and fluffy dance tracks that epitomize mainstream Asian club music and the more erotically charged American take on the genre.

"Touch me inside," she coos on "Shock Seduce Me," against a backdrop of pulsating synthesizers. Oddly enough, "Shock Seduce Me" illustrates her East Vs. West cultural confusion even better than the title track, which is a fine, moving ballad. On "Shock Seduce Me," the youthful innocence of J-Pop is given a sensual direction. There's nothing subtle about it. Of the songs on this CD, "Shock Seduce Me" probably has the best chance of cracking the nightlife scene with its sultry atmospherics.

"For All Eternity" has an '80s space-age vibe a la Tom Tom Club while "Run Into Love" gravitates towards techno. But Philein's sweet, distinctly Asian voice makes even the most derivative material refreshing. She isn't trying to be Madonna or Britney Spears; she has her own style, one that refuses to compromise what Americans are used to.

The best track on the disc is "Violet Vuarnet," which has verses sung in English, Chinese, and French. For a Child of No Nation, Philein sounds well-versed in global pop culture. Posted by redbyrne at 02:04, 18 Aug 2005
- Sonumu.net


"Album Review?Michael Sutton"

August 28, 2005

Contrary to the title, Philein is not a child; rather, she is a grown woman, one who is confident enough explore the physical and social issues in Child of No Nation. While it may seem like a serious record, this is actually an album made for dancing. Having only a vague recollection of J-Pop from the anime I’ve seen, it’s hard to tell if Philein, who is Chinese, is capturing the current sound of mainstream Japan or simply flashing back to the ‘80s. Many reviewers have compared some of the songs on Child of No Nation to the Talking Heads spin-off group Tom Tom Club. That may have to do with Philein’s immaculate vocal work, which has a sweet tooth for whispered dreaminess.

On “For All Eternity,” available here in both English and Chinese, Philein has an out-of-body experience, floating with the transcendent groove of the synthesizers. It’s the album’s best track, allowing the listener’s imagination to drift while making the feet move. “Run Into Love” proceeds in a similar direction, club music with a vaguely otherworldly beat. The more the rhythms distance themselves from reality, the more they capture the essence of night clubbing.

“Shock Seduce Me” is sensual in its teasing innocence and suggestive lyrics. It’ll probably be played more on American radio than any other tune here.

But the LP is not all about boogie wonderlands. The acoustic “Child of No Nation” is a plaintive, potent statement of cultural confusion. It adds plenty of depth to Philein’s flights of fancy. - CD Review.com


Discography

Album: "Child of No Nation",
August 2005. Streaming tracks on

www.CDBaby.com/philein
www.philein.com
www.myspace.com/philein

Photos

Bio

INTERNATIONAL SINGER/DANCER PHILEIN NOW AVAILABLE FOR HIGH SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, FESTIVALS, CLUBS

(STUDIO CITY, CA) – Philein – a California-based international artist – is proud to announce her availability for university, festival and school workshop performances.

Philein is a tri-lingual, Chinese-American woman who creates work in multiple mediums. She composes her own music, writes her own poetry and choreographs her own dances. Her theatrical performances cross boundaries. Philein is the perfect ambassador for the new global, multi-ethnic American community – young people who’ve spent time in many places and whose personal heritage is a hybrid cultures. Philein seamlessly fuses Chinese, Asian and European cultural influences into her: dance, music and shows.

Over the last 3 years, she sought out and collaborated with: musicians, producers, choreographers, photographers and painters from the U.S., UK, France, China and Taiwan. Recorded in 6 cities and on two continents, the summer release of 2005 debut album, “Child of No Nation” was well received. "Chinese singer/songwriter Philein's Child of No Nation turned out to be a welcome surprise. Like the title of the album, Philein is caught between two countries” Sonumu.net

Every live performance incorporates choreographed stage shows utilizing a unique motion style she created: Tiger Hip-hop motion (TM). Tiger Hip Hop™ is a dynamic new dance form which incorporates Tiger Claw, Kung Fu, Wushu, Tai-chi, Yoga and modern dance and hip hop. Tiger Hip Hop™ can be seen exclusively at Philein’s shows and in her videos. Philein developed Tiger Hip Hop™ because she wanted to choreograph a new genre of dance motion/hip hop that matched her music. From day one, her vision was not only to write and perform her songs – but also to choreograph and perform the dance as well.
Incorporating dance into her music has always come naturally for Philein, who from the age of 3, studied and danced professionally with some of the world’s greats. She trained with the Beijing Ballet Academy and UCLA’s World Arts & Cultures; and danced extensively with Champions of the Beijing Wushu Team – who created the style seen in Jet Li’s movies and in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Later, Philein received a scholarship to the American Dance Festival and became a soloist working with some of the U.S.’s best troupes (Janice Garrett, Ron Brown, Winifred R. Harris and Liss Fain) and Taiwan’s renowned Cloudgate Dance Theater.

Philein’s unique blend of music, culture, dance and message has been met with an overwhelmingly positive response. Since Summer 2005, she performed at McDowell Casino (Arizona), taught her dance steps to the Beijing Wushu team in China, gigged at NYC’s Crash Mansion, played the Pacific Media Expo, was interviewed live on Animax TV and was the closing act for the Partnership Walk-a-thon at the Rose Bowl. She also received private vocal training with her original coach, Lis Lewis, of the Singer's Workshop – a gifted teacher who has taught many famous singers.

Amongst a slew of evolutionary projects, 2006 highlights include releasing two new Tiger Videos with Phillie G. of Millenium Productions, touring Europe, premiering new work at the Ivar Theater and the Oakland Asian Library. In May, she will self-produce an evening of work in honor of Asian Heritage Month at the historic Ruth St. Denis Theater. Summer plans include setting a new piece of music and dance for Praxis Project in Collaboration with well established music producer Perry Geyer (Sarah M. and Mai Karaki) and choreographer Christine Chrest. She will also collaborate with Grammy Nominated Producer Chris Brophy from the UK in Spring 2006. To close out this season, she has been invited to play China’s largest and oldest fashion show, the Dalian Fashion Festival in September '06.