Feng Sheng Shui Qi (AVCD) (Version 2)

Unlike traditional American hip-hop, which tends to be bombastic in both music and content, Fama belongs to a newer school of feel-good hip-hop. While the album is certainly not lacking in social commentary, they deal with these subjects mostly in good humor. The biggest example of this is in Bat Mo Gum Gei (Track 3), in which the Fama boys make up the most preposterous rumors about Hong Kong celebrities (some of which include Kay Tse being fat instead of pregnant, and Hins Cheung being black) to reflect on the intensely gossip-driven Hong Kong press.

Meanwhile, the rest of the album also deals with education (Hok Hoi Mo Ngai - Track 4), the monotony of office work (Yat Cheut Yi Jok - Track 5), the buying and selling frenzy of the stock market (Chuen Man Gai Gu - Track 8), and even feng shui (titular track Feng Sheng Shui Qi - Track 2). The most serious and poignant track is Sap Nin Yan Si (Track 6), a look back at Hong Kong's post-Handover with a more balanced view to undo the almost propaganda-like official view in the media. The track also features a short verse by columnist David Tao (no relations to the singer), often named Hong Kong's wittiest man, who provides a sharp commentary on events surrounding the city today. Featuring a less successful cameo is Chin Fu Man Wun (Track 11), which includes actor Jim Chim doing different voices. However, this is one of the few occasions where the voice performances by both Fama and their guest star are so over-the-top that it hides the point of the track.

Like most hip-hop, Hong Kong hip-hop can only be fully appreciated with knowledge of not only the region's language (in this case, Cantonese), but its current events as well. Nevertheless, Feng Sheng Shui Qi is an album that is as accomplished musically as it is lyrically. While the album is missing the type of musical crossover Chet Lam provided in their last album Music Tycoon, the bass-driven arrangements of the tracks are lively and energetic. They're also fresh enough that listeners don't feel like they're listening to the bass line for 45 minutes. Unlike American hip-hop, there's no sampling in the album, as all the arrangements are original compositions.

Best of all, Fama delivers on their promise and has produced an immensely entertaining album. It may lack the hardcore content of American hip-hop or predecessor LMF, but it has messages that are just as topical and relevant. Despite claims that Fama is still outside of the mainstream, they are actually the best commercial group in Hong Kong music today. Not only can they produce music that gets people's attention, but they can even deliver a cute little love song at the same time (Yuk Ma Mo Jui - Track 13). Fama may believe that music can be pure entertainment, but I am all the more grateful that their music isn't so.

Recommended Tracks: Feng Sheng Shui Qi (Track 2), Bat Mo Gum Gei (Track 3), Hok Hoi Mo Ngai (Track 4), Yat Cheut Yi Jok (Track 5), Sap Nin Yan Si (Track 6), Chuen Man Gai Gu" (Track 8), Yuk Ma Mo Jui (Track 11)

by Kevin Ma