After the 2003 'Original 1930s Shanghai Divas Redefined', Widgery & Wilson pay tribute to the great movies produced of the late 50s and early 60s produced by the legendary Shaw Brothers Studios with lounge and club friendly remixes and more.

15 MP3 Songs in this album (59:06) !
Related styles: Electronic: Lounge, Electronic: Chill out, Type: Soundtrack

People who are interested in De Phazz Original Shanghai Divas Verve Remixed should consider this download.


Details:
"We didnât realize until a few days after compiling and mastering our optimum running order that the first and last words you hear on the album are âHong Kong". Morton Wilson, July 2008.

RETROCHINE

With post war changes in China the curtain had been firmly drawn on Shanghaiâs glorious and decadent era of the 1930s as âParis of the Eastâ. The nightclubs were closed, movie studios were turning out âpatrioticâ films and the stars of the silver screen had all long since sailed away.

Cut to Hong Kong, 1957: A young filmmaker named Run Run Shaw purchased 46 acres of land on a quiet hilltop in Clearwater Bay overlooking the South China Sea. His dream was to build a film studio capable of producing world-class Chinese movies in Hong Kong. Cameras rolled in 1958 and over the next few years sound stages, production offices, editing suites, film processing, sound recording, dubbing rooms and even a staff dormitory all came âonlineâ. By 1961, with 1,200 staff on board, Shaw Studios was the largest privately owned studio in the world. With an average turnover of 15 movies a year, and a record 26 in 1965, Shaw Brothers and Hong Kong cinema had entered a new golden age.

The music from this era was different â it was time of transition. Post war swing, the legacy of Shanghai, was gradually giving way to electric guitars and early rock ân roll. The movie dialog and songs were still Mandarin â pre dating the Canto-pop of today â but the look was now big hair, high heels and mini skirts â the 60s had arrived.

RETROCHINE is a celebration of this era, when the mood was shifting and the party was really getting started in Hong Kong, still Asiaâs most cosmopolitan and fascinating city.

THE STORY SO FAR . . .

RETROCHINE is the second Schtung Music release celebrating Chinese pop music from a bygone era with a 21st Century twist. The first was âPathe 100 â The Shanghai Divas Redefined (Vol. I)â released in 2003.

Producers Ian Widgery and Morton Wilson reunited to partner with Celestial Pictures Ltd. in paying tribute to soundtracks from Shaw Brothers movies shot in Hong Kong during the late 50s and early 60s. This time round they invited artistes from the emerging Mando-Pop new wave to join the fun.

The pairâs creative partnership began in 2002, combining Widgeryâs UK Dance production artistry with Wilsonâs two decades of music production experience in Asia. After working on successful âEast-West Duetsâ of 80s hits for David Bowie & Human League they embarked on a radical re-working of a collection of âMando Swingâ tracks from 1930s Shanghai. The result, âShanghai Divasâ, emerged the following year and received a worldwide release from EMI in 2004. âDivasâ went on to become a cult classic amongst those in the know on the international club circuit and led to something of a cottage industry in similar âChina Loungeâ style albums.

Widgery moved to Vancouver in 2005 and continued collaborating with Wilson on Asian Duet tracks for Robbie Williams, Maksim & Mel C amongst others.

The following year Wilson and Shanghai based arranger Peng Fei produced a modern swing version (complete with big band) of the 1930s classic âYe Lai Xiangâ for up and coming Universal artiste Isabella Huang Lin. Widgery developed the arrangement, spinning out a couple of completely new versions for fashion house Shanghai Tang as part of their 2006 Fall / Winter âShanghai Reduxâ collection.

RETROCHINE is the next major step in this musical approach for Widgery & Wilson, combining the legacy of songs from another era with new original material and also featuring the next generation of indie arrangers, Mando-Pop singers and a âhouse bandâ of nu jazz and hip-hop schooled musicians working in Hong Kong, Shanghai & Beijing.

THE PRODUCERS

IAN WIDGERY

U.K. Composer / Producer Ian Widgery emerged as a highly sought after Remix Artiste & DJ in the London dance scene during the 1990s, collaborating with both major and independent record labels. His tracks have been played on dance floors around the globe by Pete Tong, Sasha, Paul Oakenfold and Tiesto.

Now, 70 releases later, Widgery has gained recognition as part of the new wave of global producers. Working from his Vancouver studio, Like Music Productions, he has a clear mission to produce cutting edge tracks that transcend musical genres. He owns a LOT of vintage analog gear.

MORTON WILSON

Morton Wilson has spent the last 25 years in Hong Kong cloistered in Schtung Musicâs landmark Kennedy Road studios. He works with a select group of composers, arrangers and artistes from Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai, Beijing, Bombay and a few other exotic locations.

THE SESSIONS

Widgery & Wilson were given access to the original soundtracks from Shaw Brothers films and the theme for the album, âa night out in Hong Kongâ, emerged, inspired by the nightclub sequences in the movies. Widgery wrote in Canada, sending over initial tracks as they took shape, and Wilson invited artistes into Schtungâs Hong Kong studios to contribute. Associate Producer Tung Tang supervised recording sessions throughout 2007.

Key players were Allan Lau, Peng Fei & Johnny Yim - all composers and arrangers at the forefront of the new cosmopolitan Mando-Pop movement emanating from Hong Kong & Shanghai. They were later joined by vocalists Gloria Tang, Tina Chu & June Tang, up and coming âindie divasâ in the Chinese music scene. Chinese classical players Hou Shih Chieh and Ella Choi also added Erhu (Chinese violin) and Gu Zheng (Chinese harp).

THE MOVIES & THE SONGS

HONG KONG NOCTURNE (âGO GO!â âW.O.M.A.Nâ, âHong Kong Nightsâ)

This upbeat homage to the 60s (when hairdos were big and skirts were mini) features three of Shaw Brothersâ top starlets: Chin Ping, Lily Ho, and Cheng Pei-pei (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) in a tale of three sisters singing and dancing their way to success in the face of overwhelming odds. Shaw Brothers enlisted famed Japanese director, Inoue Umetsugu to give Hollywood a run for its money.

LOVE PARADE (âThe Way Eye See Itâ)

Starring Linda Lin Dai in a tale set in the world of the fashion industry. 1960s fashions, pop tunes, and the starlets du jour came together to make this one of Hong Kongâs most sumptuous Hollywood-style musical extravaganzas.

THE LARK (âWoman Troubleâ, âLet Your Bird Freeâ).

1960s pop star Carrie Ku Mei in possibly her most famous role as pop star âLittle Larkâ. The story, a frothy romance of mistaken identities, ultimately takes a back seat to the songs, including âThe Wedding Songâ (performed by Mona Fong, future production head of Shaw Brothers) and âA Loverâs Tearsâ, one of the most romantic Mandarin songs of the era.

THE BLUE AND THE BLACK (âFableâ, âRemind Meâ)

Often described as Hong Kongâs answer to âGone With The Windâ, this is a truly epic movie set during World War II. At its center is a nightclub singer played by screen legend Linda Lin Dai in one of her most poignant roles - the movie was still in production at the time of her suicide at age 29.

MY LOVE BOAT (âSlow Me Downâ)

The elegant and cultured Lily Ho stars as Tang Ke-hsin, who sets off a bitter rivalry between two friends Chia-wen (Yang Fang) and Chi Yuan (Chin Han) in a distinctly film noir setting. Relations become strained when Ke-hsin chooses Chi Yuan and the couple watch helplessly as Chia-wen descends into a quagmire of booze and gambling.

RAW PASSIONS (âRaw Passionâ)

In this hard-boiled mystery Ivy Ling Po, star of âThe Love Eternalâ and âA Cause To Killâ, plays a dedicated wife who uncovers a pit of deceit, double-crosses, extortion and murder while trying to save a man being blackmailed by an exotic belly dancer over an illicit love affair.

SCHTUNG MUSIC LTD.

Schtung Music was founded in Hong Kong in 1982 by New Zealanders Andrew Hagen & Morton Wilson.

During the 70s the pair performed with their band Schtung, which in a short five-year career filled the âart-rockâ gap left by Split Enz when they defected from âGodzoneâ to Australia and U.K.

In the early 80s they scored two New Zealand movies then decamped to Hong Kong to seriously pursue film soundtrack work there, founding Schtung Music Ltd. and opening a studio in a landmark historical building in Kennedy Road. By the mid 80s Schtung was picking up international awards for âEast meets Westâ soundtracks before the phrase had even been coined.

Hagen moved to L.A. in 1990, establishing Schtung Music in Santa Monica. Wilson stayed put, opening studios in Singapore & Shanghai, launching the careers of a host of composers and audio-post specialists throughout Asia in the process.

The arrival in H.K. of Ian Widgery in 2002, along with composers Johnny Yim, Peng Fei, Tige Hui, Allan Lau & Tung Tang has redefined the sound and creative approach of the company ovr the last few years. Schtung is producing albums of original work along with Asian inflected duets and remixes for international artistes such as David Bowie, Robbie Williams, Gorillaz, Placebo & Eurhythmicâs Dave Stewart, introducing musicians and singers from China and other parts of the region to a global audience.

This partnership with Celestial Pictures is a major step in the companyâs ongoing mission to bring the best of Chinese music and musicians â past, present and future â to a wider listening audience.

CELESTIAL PICTURES.

By the end of the 20th Century Shaw's valuable library of films spanned over 700 titles, the largest Chinese language film collection in the world. Only a few of these archived 'treasures' were ever released on television or video, although keen interest in acquiring rights to the library was expressed by various entertainment companies. In 2000 Shaw entered into an agreement to sell its entire library to Hong Kong based Celestial Pictures along with all video, remake, sequel and theatrical production rights. Since the acquisition of the library, Celestial Pictures has been digitally restoring the Shaw Brothers movies and distributing these films into cinemas and the worldwide TV and home video markets. Shaw films are now available on DVD in more than 100 territories in the world. Celestial has also been aggregating and distributing Asian and Hollywood films, Chinese TV drama series, and launched the new Cable TV channels, Celestial Movies and WaTV.

Celestialâs partnership with Schtung Music opens up a new medium to explore and expose the legacy of Shaw Brothers Musicals to a whole new audience.

CREDITS

H.K. CENTRAL 00:45

Keyboards & Programming: Ian Widgery
Arranger: Ian Widgery
Mixed & Mastered by Ian Widgery
Produced by Ian Widgery & Morton Wilson
Master Recording © 2008 Schtung Music Ltd. & Celestial Pictures Ltd.
ISRC-HK-H88-08-03190
Track includes samples from original soundtrack recording of Miracle of Love
courtesy Celestial Pictures Ltd.
Music: Wang Fu Ling & Ian Widgery
Lyrics: Jin Ke
Publishing © 2008 Schtung Music Ltd. & EMI Music Publishing Hong Kong Composers & Authors Society of Hong Kong (C.A.S.H)

GO GO! 3:26

Keyboards & Programming: Ian Widgery
303: MPWW
Arranger: Ian Widgery
Mixed & Mastered by Ian Widgery
Produced by Ian Widgery & Morton Wilson
Master Recording © 2008 Schtung Music Ltd. & Celestial Pictures Ltd.
ISRC-HK-H88-08-03191
Track includes samples from original soundtrack recording of Hong Kong Nocturne courtesy Celestial Pictures Ltd.
Music: Hattori Ryouichi / Ian Widgery
Lyrics: Hsiao Huang
Publishing © 2008 Schtung Music Ltd. & EMI Music Publishing Hong Kong Composers & Authors Society of Hong Kong (C.A.S.H)

RAW PASSION 3:27

Keyboards & Programming: Ian Widgery
Arranger: Ian Widgery
Mixed & Mastered by Ian Widgery
Produced by Ian Widgery & Morton Wilson
Master Recording © 2008 Schtung Music Ltd. & Celestial Pictures Ltd.
ISRC-HK-H88-08-03192
Track includes samples from original soundtrack recording of Raw Passions courtesy Celestial Pictures Ld.
Music: Wang Fook-ling / Ian Widgery
Lyrics: Jin Ke
Publishing © 2008 Schtung Music Ltd. & EMI Music Publishing Hong Kong Composers & Authors Society of Hong Kong (C.A.S.H)

LET YOUR BIRD FREE 6:43

Erhu: Hou Shih Chieh
303: MPWW
Bass & Guitar: Morton Wilson
Keyboards, Piano & Programming: Ian Widgery
Arranger: Ian Widgery
Acoustic Recording & Sound Design: Tung Tang at Schtung Music HK
Mixed & Mastered by Ian Widgery at Like Music Productions
Produced by Ian Widgery & Morton Wilson
Master Recording © 2008 Schtung Music Ltd. & Celestial Pictures Ltd.
ISRC-HK-H88-08-03193
Track includes samples from original soundtrack recording of The Lark courtesy Celestial Pictures Ltd.
Music: Wang Fook-ling / Ian Widgery
Lyrics: Lin Ching, Lan Szu
Publishing © 2008 Schtung Music Ltd. & EMI Music Publishing Hong Kong Composers & Authors Society of Hong Kong (C.A.S.H)

RIDING AT THE SPEED OF SOUND 5:32

Erhu: Hou Shih Chieh
Gu Zheng: Ella Choi
Guitar: Morton Wilson
Keyboards & Programming: Ian Widgery
Arranger: Ian Widgery & Morton Wilson
Acoustic Recording: Tung Tung at Schtung Music HK
Mixed & Mastered by Ian Widgery at Like Music Productions
Produced by Ian Widgery & Morton Wilson
Master Recording © 2008 Schtung Music Ltd. & Celestial Pictures Ltd.
ISRC-HK-H88-08-03194
Track includes samples from original soundtrack recording of The Lark courtesy Celestial Pictures Ltd.
Music: Wang Fook-ling
Lyrics: Lin Ching, Lan Szu
Publishing © 2008 EMI Music Publishing Hong Kong
Composers & Authors Society of Hong Kong (C.A.S.H)

WOMAN TROUBLE 4:13

Keyboards & Programming: Ian Widgery
Guitar: Morton Wilson
Arranger: Ian Widgery
Mixed & Mastered by Ian Widgery at Like Music Productions
Produced by Ian Widgery & Morton Wilson
Master Recording © 2008 Schtung Music Ltd. & Celestial Pictures Ltd.
ISRC-HK-H88-08-03195
Track includes samples from original soundtrack recording of The Lark courtesy Celestial Pictures Ltd.
Music: Wang Fook-ling / Ian Widgery
Lyrics: Doe Chin
Publishing © 2008 Schtung Music Ltd. & EMI Music Publishing Hong Kong Composers & Authors Society of Hong Kong (C.A.S.H)

FABLE 5:33

Violin: Peng Fei
Accordion: Peter Lepine
Bouzouki: Jay Knutson
Keyboards, Piano & Programming: Ian Widgery
Arranger: Ian Widgery & Morton Wilson
Mixed & Mastered by Ian Widgery at Like Music Productions
Produced by Ian Widgery & Morton Wilson
Master Recording © 2008 Schtung Music Ltd. & Celestial Pictures Ltd.
ISRC-HK-H88-08-03196
Track includes samples from original soundtrack recording of The Blue & The Black courtesy Celestial Pictures Ltd.
Music: Wang Fook-ling / Ian Widgery
Lyrics: Doe Chin
Publishing © 2008 Schtung Music Ltd. & EMI Music Publishing Hong Kong Composers & Authors Society of Hong Kong (C.A.S.H)

REMIND ME 4:37

Guitar & Bass: Morton Wilson
Keyboards & Programming: Ian Widgery
Arranger: Ian Widgery
Mixed & Mastered by Ian Widgery at Like Music Productions
Produced by Ian Widgery & Morton Wilson
Master Recording © 2008 Schtung Music Ltd. & Celestial Pictures Ltd.
ISRC-HK-H88-08-03197
Track includes samples from original soundtrack recording of The Blue & The Black courtesy Celestial Pictures Ltd.
Music: Wang Fook-ling / Ian Widgery
Lyrics: Doe Chin
Publishing © 2008 Schtung Music Ltd. & EMI Music Publishing Hong Kong Composers & Authors Society of Hong Kong (C.A.S.H)

W.O.M.A.N 4:20

Keyboards & Programming: Ian Widgery
Arranger: Ian Widgery
Mixed & Mastered by Ian Widgery at Like Music Productions
Produced by Ian Widgery & Morton Wilson
Master Recording © 2008 Schtung Music Ltd. & Celestial Pictures Ltd.
ISRC-HK-H88-08-03198
Track includes samples from original soundtrack recording of Hong Kong Nocturne courtesy Celestial Pictures Ltd.
Music: Hattori Ryouichi / Ian Widgery
Lyrics: Hsiao Huang
Publishing © 2008 Schtung Music Ltd. & EMI Music Publishing Hong Kong Composers & Authors Society of Hong Kong (C.A.S.H)

SLOW ME DOWN 4:55

Vocal: Tina Chu
Backing Vocals: June Tang
Bass: Morton Wilson
Keyboards & Programming: Ian Widgery
Arranger: Ian Widgery
Vocal Sessions Recording & Edit: Tung Tang at Schtung HK
Mixed & Mastered by Ian Widgery at Like Music Productions
Produced by Ian Widgery & Morton Wilson
Master Recording © 2008 Schtung Music Ltd. & Celestial Pictures Ltd.
ISRC-HK-H88-08-03199
Track includes samples from original soundtrack recording of My Dream
Boat courtesy Celestial Pictures Ltd.
Music: Wang Fook-ling / Ian Widgery
Lyrics: Chiung Yao/ Ian Widgery
Publishing © 2008 Schtung Music Ltd. & EMI Music Publishing Hong Kong Composers & Authors Society of Hong Kong (C.A.S.H)

THE WAY EYE SEE IT 5:17

Vibes: Johnny Yim
Guitar: Morton Wilson
Keyboards & Programming: Ian Widgery
Arranger: Ian Widgery
Mixed & Mastered by Ian Widgery at Like Music Productions
Produced by Ian Widgery & Morton Wilson
Master Recording © 2008 Schtung Music Ltd. & Celestial Pictures Ltd.
ISRC-HK-H88-08-03200
Track includes samples from original soundtrack recording of Love Parade courtesy Celestial Pictures Ltd.
Music: Joseph Koo / Ian Widgery
Lyrics: Doe Chin
Publishing © 2008 Schtung Music Ltd. & EMI Music Publishing Hong Kong Composers & Authors Society of Hong Kong (C.A.S.H)

TRAIN TRACKS (Interlude) 0:19

Programming: Ian Widgery
Mixed & Mastered by Ian Widgery at Like Music
Produced by Ian Widgery & Morton Wilson
Master Recording © 2007 Schtung Music Ltd.
ISRC-HK-H88-08-30204
Track includes samples from original soundtrack recording of H.K. Nocturne courtesy Celestial Pictures Ltd.
Publishing © 2008 Schtung Music Ltd. & EMI Music Publishing Hong Kong Composers & Authors Society of Hong Kong (C.A.S.H)

(21st Century) CHAR SIU BAO 3:28

Vocals: Gloria Tang
Violin: Peng Fei
Piano: Allan Lau
Guitars: Tige Hui & Morton Wilson
Keyboards & Programming: Ian Widgery
Arrangers: Allan Lau & Ian Widgery
Mixed & Mastered by Ian Widgery at Like Music
Produced by Ian Widgery & Morton Wilson
Master Recording © 2008 Schtung Music Ltd.
ISRC-HK-H88-08-03201
Publishing © Warner Chappell Music (Hong Kong) Ltd.

DUSK 1:44

Erhu: Hou Shih Chieh
Gu Zheng: Ella Choi
Keyboards & Programming: Ian Widgery
Arranger: Ian Widgery
Acoustic Recording: Tung Tang at Schtung Music HK
Mixed & Mastered by Ian Widgery at Like Music Productions
Produced by Ian Widgery & Morton Wilson
Master Recording © 2008 Schtung Music Ltd.
ISRC-HK-H88-08-03202
Music: Ian Widgery
Publishing © 2008 Schtung Music Ltd.
Composers & Authors Society of Hong Kong (C.A.S.H)

HONG KONG NIGHTS 4:43

Erhu: Hou Shih Chieh
Keyboards & Programming: Ian Widgery
Arranger: Ian Widgery
Mixed & Mastered by Ian Widgery at Like Music Productions
Produced by Ian Widgery & Morton Wilson
Master Recording © 2008 Schtung Music Ltd. & Celestial Pictures Ltd.
ISRC-HK-H88-08-03203
Track includes samples from original soundtrack recording of Hong Kong Nocturne courtesy Celestial Pictures Ltd.
Music: Hattori Ryouichi / Ian Widgery
Lyrics: Hsiao Huang
Publishing © 2008 Schtung Music Ltd. & EMI Music Publishing Hong Kong Composers & Authors Society of Hong Kong (C.A.S.H)

Design: Bert Tam
Images: Courtesy Celestial Pictures Ltd. & The Artistes.
Project Management: David Har & Ann Yeung
Produced by Ian Widgery & Morton Wilson.
Associate Producer: Tung Tang

Special thanks: William Pfeiffer, John McLellan, Alan Yau, Kenny Chau and all the singers and players, past and present.

Executive Producers: Jessica Kam-Engle & Morton Wilson.

RETROCHINE

01. H.K. CENTRAL
02. GO GO!
03. RAW PASSION
04. LET YOUR BIRD FREE
05. RIDING AT THE SPEED OF SOUND
06. WOMAN TROUBLE
07. FABLE
08. REMIND ME
09. W.O.M.A.N
10. SLOW ME DOWN
11. THE WAY EYE SEE IT
12. TRAIN TRACKS (INTERLUDE)
13. (21st Century) CHAR SIU BAO
14. DUSK
15. HONG KONG NIGHTS

PRODUCED BY IAN WIDGERY & MORTON WILSON

© 2008 Schtung Music Ltd. & Celestial Pictures Ltd. All rights reserved. Unauthorized copying, sampling, broadcast, hiring, public performance or distribution of the Master Recordings, Musical Works or Images contained in this album is prohibited. Made in Hong Kong.