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| Although he is slightly embarrassed to admit it, MoShang (aka Jean Marais) started his musical career as a choirboy in his native South Africa in the early 1980's. Around the same time, he received his first computer - a Commodore VIC-20. His passion for music and computers would eventually culminate in the release of his debut solo album "Made in Taiwan" in 2004. Along the way, MoShang was the front man of Duusman (an Afrikaans language art rock band), played the saxophone for Tsunami (on the Gallo Jazz label), and produced 10 tracks on three award-winning music and poetry albums with the celebrated South African poet Breyten Breytenbach . He was half of the Afrikaans pop-duo 12Hz with Riku Latti (their debut "Nou" has been described as the most progressive Afrikaans album ever) and he received a South African AVANTI award for his music to the short film "Angels in a Cage". MoShang moved to Taiwan in 2002 and is currently performing live as a solo instrumental DJ and with the improvised lounge outfit "Into Thin Air". |
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Editor's Review (music.download.com/moshang2)
Worldly melodies are formally wed to futuristic electronica by globe-trotting audio minister Moshang. The Taiwan-based producer diversifies his downtempo tracks by enhancing traditional Asian and reggae styles with dubby electro drums and tripped-out effects. His thick, oozing bass lines are the common bond holding this delightful marriage together.
--Editor, music.download.com, November 2004
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Taiwan CD Releases
When Jean Marais moved to Taichung two years ago, he figured that the quickest way to get to grips with the unfamiliar city sounds was to take to the streets with his mini-disc player and record everything he heard.
Having amassed several hours of the city's most vibrant sounds, Marais then decided to take his folly to the next level and record an album featuring an eclectic mix of some Taichung sounds and electronica.
Entitled Made in Taiwan (¥xÆW»s), the result of Marais's offbeat stroll through the streets of Taichung was released last month. A far cry from his previous recording ventures, which included working with pop-duo 12Hc and poet Breyten Breytenbach in his native South Africa, Marais's latest album is a blend of ambient world beat and then some chill-out electonica.
The fusion of street sounds, which range from the clatter of traffic to the hum of monks chanting and the reverberation of a public karaoke performance, with samples of Oriental instrumentation and ambient world beat-based electronica make Made in Taiwan an enticing listen and, thanks to Marais's studio smarts, one that never misses a beat.
His ambient creations might seem a bit over the top; but Marais isn't out to make a statement he's simply out to entertain. And regardless of theme, be it a funeral, dragon boats or learning Mandarin, all of the tunes are fresh, tight and, most importantly uncluttered. If it's simplistic, yet original localized chill-out you crave then, Made in Taiwan is not a bad place to begin.
--Gavin Phipps, Taipei Times, 21 November 2004
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Afrikaanse Dansmusiek (3): Die Begin van die Begin
So last Friday I cruise into the LitNet office and Erns hooks me up with a CD by the artist Moshang. Jean Marais, or MoShang, originally comes from Bellville, now lives in Taiwan, and makes music of his experiences in the East. He walks around with his MiniDisk permanently ready for action and records sounds that inspire him ?then he uses these recordings in his studio.
MoShang's new 13-song LP called Made in Taiwan is a colourful art piece ?the kind one encounters very rarely. One notices this immediately from the bright yellow/blue/red patterns on the album's cover ?very nice. If I have to classify it in a musical genre, it would probably be “Surrounding Electronic? The musical structure is most unusual for electronic music, which is very refreshing and enjoyable. The longest song on the LP is 4:52, which is much shorter than the standard seven-minute song on classic dance music LP's, and this keeps things interesting.
MoShang's music touches one's soul and gives insight into his world ?a world full of inspiration, surprises, emotion, energy and a healthy table spoon of weirdness. From the jazzy “Street Song?to the up-tempo “Under My Skin?MoShang succeeds in creating a genuine Eastern theme throughout the whole album. Full marks!
(translated from Afrikaans)
So verlde week Vrydag cruise ek by die LitNet-kantoor in en Erns hoek my op met 'n laserskyf deur die kunstenaar MoShang. Jean Marais, oftewel MoShang, kom oorspronklik van Bellville af, lewe nou sy lewe uit in Taiwan, en maak musiek uit sy ondervindings in die Ooste. Hy stap rond met sy MiniDisk permanent gereed vir aksie en neem klanke af wat hom inspireer - dan gebruik hy die opnames in sy ateljee.
MoShang se nuwe 13-lied-LP genoem Made in Taiwan is 'n kleurvolle kunsstuk - die tipe wat mens baie selde raakloop. Dit sien mens dadelik raak met die helder geel/blou/rooi patrone op die elbim se buitebekleding ... baie nice. As ek dit in 'n musiekgroep moes klassifiseer, sou dit seker "Omringend Elektronies" wees. Die musiekstruktuur self is heel buitegenwoon vir elektroniese musiek, wat baie verfrissend en genotvol is. Die langste lied op die LP is 4:52, wat korter is as die standaard sewe-minuut-lied op klassieke dansmusiek-LPs, en dit hou dinge interessant.
Moshang se musiek raak mens se siel en gee insig in sy wêreld - 'n wêreld vol inspirasie, verrassings, emosie, energie en 'n gesonde tafellepel weirdness. Vanaf die die jazzy "Street Song" na die up-tempo "Under My Skin" kry MoShang dit reg om 'n genuine Ooste-tema regdeur die hele elbim te skep. Volpunte!
--Kobie Botha, Litnet - Klankkas, 13 November 2004 |
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Location:
Dali City, Taiwan
MoShang Website
moshangmusic@yahoo.com
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