Is anyone here a big fan of the trend that's pretty apparent in CPop these days which is the infusion of classical Chinese elements into modern songs? I think the term 中國風(Chinese Breeze) was used to describe the style of Jay Chou since he has prominently featured music of many Chinese minorities as well as the Han in his music. What other artists are there that also infuse classical elements into their songs? Who's your favourite?
I personally like FIR and David Tao's styles as well. Leehom is another who uses many Chinese elements but he does it a bit over the top. By that I mean sometimes I feel like in his music he's proclaiming Chinese superiority...like the songs 盖世英雄 or 華人萬歲 . Jay does it more tastefully imo.

Are there any JPop or KPop artists who do the same? I haven't seen much, especially from KPop, which is a real shame.

for both Jpop/Kpop i have never come across singers blend tradition instrument/music with modern music (that if u mean upbeat songs and such) with the exception of the jrock band Kaggra, they blend the tradition music with the rock.

Edit:
i just found one
Moriyama Naotaro - toki no yukue ~jo - haru no sora~(the song is totally beautiful )
and may be ayumi hamasaki - I am... (Acoustic Orchestra Version) would be conceder too.

I think this is what make CPOP much more unique then kpop and jpop since both country's music styles are highly western influenced. It gives off a modern music vibe but you would be able to tell its a chinese song.

the only korean song i can think of right now is wheesung-memories of midair
http://youtube.com/watch?v=aK-I7XCQFKM&fmt=18

i know some more but i have to go to school haha.

My favorite "uses" of 中國風 were Leehom's in his album Shangri-La. He was the first to travel to visit all of those small tribes near China. I mean, he literally recorded them singing and playing their instruments.. and then added them to his songs. That was pretty amazing to me. The use of kunqu in Heroes of Earth album was pretty cool too

A few Khalil Fong songs also infuse small touches of 中國風 but it's a lot more subtle

I guess Jay Chou does a good job with 中國風 too, I just like that Leehom does it with more depth and research. He gained a true understanding of everything he heard

black pearl's can't help loving you also uses chinese instruments in their song
http://youtube.com/watch?v=xZfqdWJV8GY

honey lee also played a traditional korean instrument when she performed with epik high
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Q7KKGlwtwAY&fmt=18

I am a HUGE fan of music that incorporates traditional aspects in their music whether it be the traditional way they sing it, or the use of traditional instruments in their songs.

Hmm.... I think I know of some Kpop, Jpop songs that also does this. However, Kpop and Jpop don't really fuse modern music with traditional music that much.

[Korean]
-Does "Lee Sun-Hee - Fate" count? It's the MV song from King and the Clown.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=p2JHolmOFA8

[Japanese]
-Alan's Ashita e no Sanka 明日への讃歌 阿兰. The way she sings it sounds VERY traditional.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=k7iCRVLtZlM&feature=related

Ah yes, I remember that song from The King and the Clown well. I really like it. I really like traditional korean instruments. For some reason, they give of a mysterious vibe...

To be fair, Alan's Chinese and she actually used traditional Tibetan/Chinese elements in her song...not Japanese.


I personally like more subtle references to traditional Chinese music than fullblown songs about it. My friend was actually really put off by some of Leehom's songs because he thought that Leehom was basically implying Chinese cultural superiority. I don't agree with him but some of his lyrics can definitely lead one to believe so...

I agree that "cultural infusion" is definitely what makes CPop stands out. Even very mainstream pop groups like SHE uses classical elements.

I like Jay Chou's mix with Chinese instruments and Western R&B, same with David Tao.
They usually have beautiful lyrics to go with it. Vincent Fong's lyrics are so poetic and meaningful.

i think 中國風 has always been in the chinese music scenery...singers from the '80's also used traditional instruments, like 徐小鳳 (Paula Chui) even when the traditional instruments aren't used, they still cary a chinese vibe i think.

I'm glad artists still use 中國風 in their music, makes it more unique and "chinese" (don't know how to describe the feel )

For those who can read simplified Chinese, there's a list of 280 中國風 songs at this site.

I really love 中國風 songs because of the Chinese instruments. I'm sick and tired of hearing people say how unoriginal C-pop is and 中國風 just proves them wrong, I guess.

Besides Jay and Leehom, I think JJ Lin uses it beautifully, especially for 江南. Other singer-songwriters like Anson Hu, Tank, David Tao use 中國風 too.

^ yah
jj lin's jiang nan song is <3

I still love it

Jay tops the list. ^^ I'm not surprised.

AMEN TO THAT!!!

does kenji wu incorporate chinese instruments? I'm in love with him
he's soo talented and I really like his voice

anyone hear the song where he imitates jacky chueng, leehom, a du , xin's voices et al?
He composes and writes lyrics

ahhh seriously *_* T_T <3

yea my favorite songs of Jay Chou's are actually the ones that incorporate classical chinese instruments.

And i've been listening to The Shanghai Restoration Project. It isn't CPOP but the guy who creates the songs is actually Chinese American. It's really hip and funky and blends chinese instruments with hip hop, house, jazz, and electronica.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0c3bHuVpHI
^I LOVE the song Miss Shanghai

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gG2_A0M5gQ4...feature=related
^ His song Introduction was used in an ad for Kenzo's perfume with Shu Qi in it. It's awesome.

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fusea...iendid=36742796
^ MySpace page

Yeah , i really like the beats and rhythem to it.

oh yea Do As Infinity's Shinjitsu no Uta mixes the jinghu with rock beautifully.
The jinghu just makes the song WOW.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGEbue6pJAI

Do As Infinity is pretty awesome.

I think you'll find artists that would make a song here and there that incorporate classical asian instruments. Just have to look out for it. Usually when I hear them I try to find out the artist name and song title since I'm really attracted to those types of songs.

^ahh i use to love that song haha.
sucha shame do as infinity broke up, i'm not really into van's new stuff

that miss shanghai song is so good <3

I love this type of music<3

My fav has to be Leehom, JJ Lin, Jay Chou, Anson Hu, David Tao, F.I.R.

青花瓷 is now my favourite Jay Chou song. Gosh, I'm enamoured with his style. Listening to this song as well as others like 千里之外 and 東風破 makes me feel as if I was in Shanghai during the '20s.