February 2018 marks the start year of the Earth Dog in the Chinese almanac bringing with it masculine energy, an outgoing and fun-loving vibe, and maybe even getting a little reckless…
So what better way to celebrate such a year with Hong Kong Beat than a mix of some heavy rocking and belting tunes about dogs, and well, their canine cousins.
Kung Hei Fat Choy, and wishing all a healthy, prosperous and successful Year of the Dog!
Probably the first really influential indie label, Stiff Records was founded in 1976 at the leading edge of the wave of punk, and later, new wave rock movement, and brought together an eclectic set of artists from the UK and US counter-culture and pub rock culture of the time, and bringing the new music movement to public attention through its Stiff Tours around UK, Europe and USA.
Although many of the acts signed to the label remained or became obscure as the 80s wore on, some became icons of the movement with wider success and fame – like Elvis Costello, The Damned (with ‘The Rose’, acknowledged as punk rock record 001), Madness, Ian Dury, The Pogues, and Devo.
Delving into my collection of Stiffies to bring music as diverse as punk, ska, psychobilly, southern blues rock, synth pop, and even some Burt Bacharach and gospel, in tribute to an era and label that made a huge impact on rock music, even though it was only relatively short lived
Pool splashes, junk trips, roof top chill out, garden bbqs … all good ways to celebrate summer. Add to that summer sounds selected to set feet moving, and you have a great summer party.
Hong Kong Beat recently served up a 60 minute mix of Latin and tropical rhythms, with a dash of pop, from current chart releases, for a junk party, and can still taste the mojitos listening to this 🙂
90-ish minute live recorded set from a recent outdoor rooftop silent disco with Sound Off Experience at the FWD Max Passion Party, for a mostly 20s/30s aged Hong Kong crowd, so spinning a mix of current chart dance, as well as Korean and Chinese chart dance tunes from the past few years.
It was just getting lively but had to pull the mix to let the main event – local live band Supper Moment – get on to strut their very good stuff 🙂
Dad dancing could be defined as “wildly exuberant dancing, often after drink has been taken; performed by men predominantly over 40; who learned their last dance moves at least 20 years ago; have vague recollections of fad dance moves learned during ‘that fabulous holiday to Haven in France’ when their kids were small; punctuated by air guitars, tortured miming, wild drum solos and knee slides across packed dance floors, to the embarrassment of their kids and wives…”
All I know is that their favourite tunes are floor fillers and the dads are great for the party.
Saluting Dad Dancers everywhere for Fathers’ Day 2017!
James Brown sang “it is a man’s world”, asserting things like ‘man made the car, the train, electric light, the boat, the ark’…
Unfortunately some men stop thinking at that point, as proof of their supremacy, but James went on to say “it would be nothing, nothing, not one little thing, without a women or a girl.”
He was right, but only to a degree, because, without a woman, none of us would be here. Period.
Men, this is the 21st century. It really is time for us to cherish and respect womankind as an equal.
Wishing all women a happy and hopefully fulfilling International Women’s Day and, although I know there are many parts of the World where this means nothing at all, just wishing that at least one more man will find enlightenment towards our better half.
(Dedicated to my dear wife and wonderful daughter)
Hong Kong Beat loves theme night parties – whether its 80s hair rock, 70s disco, Carnivale, Salsa, or movie nights, and many other ideas, we love the challenge of finding and playing great and relevant tunes to entertain during dinner and on the dance floor.
So here’s lots of great ideas for themed parties!
Nothing better than gathering the posse on a Saturday lunchtime for some good food and wines to celebrate a birthday… Oh and to spin a few classic hip-hop and modern R&B tunes to get the feet stepping 🙂
Hong Kong Beat mobile disco getting its groove on in a live set from a recent birthday party held at Hong Kong’s Ho Lee Fook Chinese Kitchen, Elgin Street, Hong Kong.
https://www.mixcloud.com/hkbeat/rb-set-from-a-birthday-lunch-party/
Summer’s arrived in Hong Kong and many families return to their home country for holidays, or relocate for good. This means farewell parties for friends, especially at the end of school.
Hong Kong Beat mobile disco recently played a very special summer birthday/farewell party for two pre-teen sisters; a very special party that they will never forget, a silent disco on an open-topped tram, trundling through Hong Kong’s busy streets. 30 girls dancing and singing along at the top of their voices, to music in their headphones, created quite an experience for them, and for the people in the streets and passing trams!
So here’s the soundtrack to that fun trip, and here’s to great memories of iconic parties!
Hong Kong Beat 