Soulboy (album)

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Soulboy
Soulboy khalil fong albumcover.jpg
Studio album by
Khalil Fong
Released18 November 2005 [1]
Recorded2005
Genre Mandopop, Soul, R&B [2] [3] [4] [5]
Length49:26
Language Mandarin
Label Warner Music Hong Kong
Producer Khalil Fong, Edward Chan, Charles Lee
Khalil Fong chronology
Soulboy
(2005)		 This Love
(2006)
Singles from Soulboy
  1. "Spring Breeze"
    Released: 5 May 2005

Soulboy is the debut Mandarin album by Hong Kong Mandopop artist Khalil Fong. It was released on 18 November 2005 by Warner Music Hong Kong. [1] [6]

Contents

Background

Soulboy was influenced by Fong's childhood in Hawaii, taking inspiration from Ritchie Valens's music and many other 1960s–70s musicians like Sam Cooke, Stevie Wonder and James Brown. [7] Fong's father was a professional drummer, and Fong began to learn percussion instruments at an early age. As a teenager, he started to learn to play the guitar and actively submitted his own music audition demo tapes to record companies, but he was turned away for being too young. However, in 2000, Warner Music Group took notice of Fong's demo and made him a behind-the-scenes composer and producer. Fong went on to compose many songs for other singers such as Andy Lau, Jacky Cheung, Chen Kun, A-Mei and Sammi Cheng. [8]

In 2003, when Sammi Cheng noticed that Fong wanted to sing, she personally went to Warner's music arrangement director to vouch for him. However, a change in the company's senior management prevented him from pursuing a career as a singer. [9] [10]

Through continuous efforts, in 2005, Warner Music adopted a "listen to the voice but not the person appeared"[ attribution needed ] approach to pave the way for Fong's debut, arranging for him to participate in major concert performances. [11]

On 5 May 2005, Fong was invited to open for the Taiwanese pop rock group F.I.R's live broadcast concert. Fong sang the songs "Spring Breeze" and "Sound of the South" (南音). [11] These songs draw from Fong's experience living in both Eastern and Western cultures, which provided him with rich materials and inspiration for his debut album. Integral to this cultural fusion is Fong's use of soul music, popularized by African-American musicians, combined with the foundation of Chinese music that characterizes Fong's unique musical style. [2] [12]

Composition

Soulboy is an album of R&B and soul combined with traditional Chinese music. The lead song, "Spring Breeze," is a cappella, with beatboxing to act as the percussion. Fong's singing voice lends to his unique blend of R&B and Zhongguo feng, along with Western blues lyrics that feature Hong Kong flavor words such as "peach blossoms (桃花), willow trees (柳树), Yumen Pass (玉门关), Nanniwan (南泥湾)" and a soothing melody, giving this love song a pop music flavor. The song also includes harmony and draws inspiration from Lovin' You, produced by Stevie Wonder for Minnie Riperton. [2] [13]

The song "Sound of the South" features piano and erhu instrumentals, tying into the song's title about classical nanguan music. The melody turns from a minor scale into a major scale.[ clarification needed ] The lyrics tell the story of blind Chinese musician Abing's life and inner spiritual world, focusing on his erhu song "Erquan Yingyue" (二泉映月). Fong's lyrics reflect the bitterness of pursuing dreams and the regretlessness to pursuing reputation and living situation.[ clarification needed ] This song demonstrates Fong's respect for his traditional music and culture. While his musical attitude aims to express modern emotions through traditional musical forms, Fong's work also embodies an attempt to pass on and innovate traditional culture. [14]

Title and art work promotion

The album's theme is "world harmony" (世界大同), with a focus on serious content like society, life and human nature [2] [15] [16] Soulboy contains songs in Mandarin, as the label's plan was for Fong to target the Mandarin-speaking markets of mainland China and Taiwan. The title Soulboy was also a name Fong used when he served as an instrumental accompanist on other creative works by himself and other singers. [17] [4]

Released and reception

The album Soulboy was released on 18 November 2005, quickly gaining popularity with Mandopop fans. Fong's hit songs from this era include "Spring Breeze" (春風吹) and "Everyday" (每天每天) from the album, [18] and Fong gained a reputation as "Hong Kong David Tao" and "Hong Kong Jay Chou." Fong, along with three other singer-songwriters, Ivana Wong, Hins Cheung and Louis Cheung, are known as the "Four Little Powers of Hong Kong Singers and Songwriters." [19]

Track listing

All arrangements are by Khalil Fong. All producers are Khalil Fong, Edward Chan and Charles Lee.

No.TitleMusic CompositionLyrics
01PrologueKhalil FongKhalil Fong
02Little Sister (妹妹)Khalil FongKhalil Fong
03Spring Breeze (春風吹)Khalil Fong Chow Yiu Fai  [ zh ]
04Everyday (每天每天)Khalil Fong Chen Yuzhen  [ zh ]
05Woman (女人)Khalil FongKhalil Fong, Liang Rulan
06Tell Me How to Say (叫我怎麼說)Khalil FongKhalil Fong
07Who's Scared (哪怕)Khalil FongLiang Rulan
08Sound of the South (南音)Khalil Fong Albert Leung
09Can We? (我們能不能)Khalil FongKhalil Fong
10Jump (跳)Khalil FongKhalil Fong
11Conclusion (總結)Khalil FongChow Yiu Fai
12Rushing (趕場)Khalil FongKhalil Fong, Liang Rulan
13Waiting for You to Be Back (等著你回來)Yan KuanKhalil Fong, Yan Kuan
14Know You (Hidden Track) (認識你)Khalil FongKhalil Fong

Credits and personnel

Accolades

IFPI Hong Kong Record Sales Award 2005 - Top 3 Best Selling Male Local Newcomers. [20] On 1 January 2006 evening CRHK's Ultimate Song Chart Awards presentation was take place in Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and Fong was won Chik Chak New Male Singer Silver award. [21] Chinese Music Media Awards Best Male Newcomer Award nominated in 2006 . [22]

Awards and nominations for Soulboy and the song work
Award ceremonyYearCategoryResultRef.
IFPI Hong Kong 2006Hong Kong Record Sales Award 2005 - Top 3 Best Selling Local Male NewcomersWon [20]
CRHK's Ultimate Song Chart Awards Presentation2006Chik Chak New Male SingerSilver [21]
Chinese Music Media Awards  [ zh ]2006The 6th Chinese Music Media Awards Best Male Newcomer AwardNominated [22]

References

  1. 1 2 "HMV Soul boy". Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2007.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "岁月如歌·经典音乐时间方大同·世界大同". 贵州音乐广播. 贵州网络广播电视台. 18 October 2021. Archived from the original on 7 July 2024. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  3. ↑ "Soulboy – Khalil Fong". AllMusic . Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  4. 1 2 "香港音乐才子方大同 情人节带来恋人"爱之歌"". Beijing Youth Daily web (in Chinese). Sohu. 15 February 2008. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  5. ↑ "A man of the world". AsiaOne. 27 September 2014. Archived from the original on 22 March 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  6. ↑ "Soulboy方大同专辑简介". Hit FM (Taiwan)Hitoradio.Com (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  7. ↑ Baha'i Blog (16 July 2017), Baha'i Blogcast with Rainn Wilson - Episode 18: Khalil Fong 方大同, archived from the original on 14 December 2021, retrieved 17 July 2017
  8. ↑ "个人明星首页:方大同个人简介大事记" (in Chinese). Sina Corporation. 2013. Archived from the original on 7 July 2024. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  9. ↑ "娱乐圈最后一个处男,心灵"长生不老"的音乐偶像:方大同". NetEase . 20 July 2017. Archived from the original on 9 July 2024. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  10. ↑ "他是香港唯一不唱粤语的顶流,粉丝称华语第一人,陶喆也是他歌迷". Sohu . 2 April 2024. Archived from the original on 9 July 2024. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  11. 1 2 "方大同是巨蟹座 方大同演艺生涯和好听的歌集合" (in Chinese). 闽南网. 6 April 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  12. ↑ ""玩乐男孩"方大同专访：玩转灵魂音乐的稀有动物". 26 September 2013. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  13. ↑ "Ne-yo强势回归 加盟UNITY还有音乐节唱足1小时". Sohu Music. Sohu. 4 August 2017. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  14. ↑ "歌海遗珠-方大同"南音"" (in Chinese). 百度百家号-一家咨询. 23 June 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  15. ↑ "HYPEBEAST 專訪方大同：即使不做專輯也不會停止創作" (in Chinese). Hypebeast (company). 19 March 2018. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  16. ↑ "点新人闯歌坛创作型歌手占优势" (in Chinese). Sina Corporation. 10 October 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  17. ↑ "音乐才子方大同推出"未来" 情人节献给恋人们" (in Chinese). Sina Corporation. 15 February 2008. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  18. ↑ "Khalil Fong lets the music speak for itself". The Straits Times. 17 February 2019. Archived from the original on 16 June 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  19. ↑ "陈奕迅：我的生活只有音乐，没有"一哥"". Yangcheng Evening News . Sina Corporation. 13 April 2009. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  20. 1 2 "2005 IFPI Hong Kong Album Sales Awards winners list". Archived from the original on 2 July 2012. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  21. 1 2 "2005年叱咤乐坛流行榜颁奖典礼完全获奖名单" (in Chinese). 2 January 2006. Archived from the original on 6 July 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  22. 1 2 "第六届华语音乐传媒大奖提名名单" (in Chinese). Sina Corporation. 28 June 2006. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
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