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REMEMBERING Leslie Cheung
Written by YumCha! Editorial Team
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Leslie Cheung has left us for two decades, but he has never been forgotten. This year, Universal Music Hong Kong released two music projects to reminisce the legend – the compilation album REMEMBRANCE Leslie and the tribute album REMEMBERING Leslie. From MIRROR's Anson Lo and Keung To to Gigi Yim and Mike Tsang, REMEMBERING Leslie reinterprets the classic songs of the beloved music icon through the voices of young Cantopop artists.
REMEMBERING Leslie begins with one of Leslie's most exuberant fast songs reinterpreted as a collaboration between Hong Kong band ONE PROMISE and Universal Music newcomer DEZ (Desmond Yu). DEZ, who previously participated in the Chinese reality audition programs The Coming One 2 and Produce Camp 2019, just made his debut last year, while One Promise actually officially disbanded this January. Their version of Monica – originally released on Leslie's 1984 self-titled album – updates the 80s hit with an energetic and down-to-earth band sound arranged by ONE PROMISE's guitarist Tin Hang. "Thanks thanks thanks thanks Leslie Cheung. No one can take your place!"
ERROR is formed by Leung Yip (Fatboy), Dee Ho, Denis Kwok (193), and Poki Ng, who were all contestants of ViuTV's 2018 reality show Good Night Show - King Maker that launched MIRROR. Gaining popularity as a comedic alternative to the standard boy band image, ERROR may be known more for their variety savvy, but they've also topped charts and won music awards. ERROR is mostly serious and energetic for their hyper version of Leslie's 1986 dance classic Stand Up, which is newly arranged with a prominent blend of rock and electronic beats. Fatboy does get in a comedic touch by adding a Donald Duck impersonation to go with the lyrics "If you don't want to be Like a lame duckling."
Mike Tsang got his start on ViuTV's 2019 singing program King Maker II, and he released his first self-titled album Mike in 2022. Thanks to his appearances on Infinity and Beyond and Call Me by Fire Season 2, he's become one of the more well-known new-generation Hong Kong singers in the mainland Chinese market. Mike reinterprets one of Leslie's most classic songs "Who Resonates With Me," which resonates across eras with its quiet and stirring expression of loneliness and the difficulty of finding someone who understands you. Arranger JNYBeatz adds spacy electronic elements to the song while keeping its retro sound and pensive mood, delivered in Mike's clean and gentle vocals. Like Leslie's original 1986 MV, Mike's new MV features the granite steps and gas lamps of Duddell Street.
One of Hong Kong's brightest new film talents, Louise Wong is known for her starring role in the 2021 Anita Mui biopic Anita, which won her Best New Performer at the Hong Kong Film Awards. The actress pays homage to another timeless icon with her rendition of Leslie's "Stop Fooling Around" off the Summer Romance '87 album. From the beats to the backing vocals to the brass instrumentation, Louise's cover satisfyingly retains the distinctively 80s sound of the song, as well as its sensual vibe conveying a brief encounter between lonely souls.
Rookie girl group XiX (pronounced "Six") is formed by Aster, Crystal, Caitlin, Charlotte, Kiele and Vici, who were all top ten finalists of TVB's 2022 program STARS Junior Academy. They then went on to finish fourth as a group on STARS Academy 2. The six members are all aged 16 and under, with youngest Charlotte being only 14 years old! True to their age, XiX brings youthful confidence and playful edge to their take of Leslie's 1989 Miss You Much Cantonese remake from the Final Encounter album. Now closer in vibe to Janet Jackson's original song, the new arrangement updates Miss You Much with groovy and urban elements including an English rap section written by Kiele, Vici and Aster.
First rising to fame as the winner of Good Night Show - King Maker, Keung To has in short time turned into one of Hong Kong's biggest stars, both as a solo singer and as a member of mega boy band MIRROR. His songs often reflect on experiences and sentiments that are relatable to everyday Hong Kongers. It's fitting that this Cantopop idol of the new generation would reinterpret one of Leslie's most universal songs about the pursuit of love and life – the 1994 masterpiece "Chase" from the film He's a Woman, She's a Man. Accompanied by piano and string, Keung To's warm rendition is simple yet grand and moving.
Gigi Yim, the winner of TVB's audition program Stars Academy, rose to fame in 2022 after participating in musical drama Forever Young At Heart and Hunan TV's music show Infinity and Beyond (also known as Endless Melody). In this project, the budding Cantopop diva reinterprets Leslie's "In My Lifetime" – from the He's a Woman, She's a Man movie soundtrack and the 1995 album Favorite – in a simple arrangement that much resembles the original version. Gigi's signature clean vocal timbre and ethereal falsettos deliberately express the sweet, lingering feelings of longing to stay in love for a lifetime.
Anson Lo, the popular singer-dancer of Hong Kong super group MIRROR, brings his rendition of Leslie's "An Affair." Originally released in the legendary singer's 1996 record Red, "An Affair" chronicles the guilty pleasure of a secret fling. Putting aside his bouncy, dancey style, Anson fully unleashes his alluring presence to align with the sexy and mysterious ambience of the song, which is newly arranged and directed by Terry Chui and Nick Wong. As the first pre-release single of this remake project, Anson's version of "An Affair" surprised many with his fiery, self-written English rap in the bridge!
Released in 1996, "A Man of Intention" is the theme song of the film Who's the Woman, Who's the Man (sequel to He's a Woman, She's a Man), and was later featured in Leslie's Love With All My Heart and Red albums. Composed by Leslie and written by Albert Leung, "A Man of Intention" is a romantic ballad that delicately sings one's deep affection for his crush. A Music's rookie singers – gamer-turned-singer YUTA and Apple from the girl group Lab – partner up to present a cute and dynamic remake that reminds of Leslie and Anita Mui's duet concert performances, despite giving off a totally different musical aura.
Besides Gigi Yim, Stars Academy 2's winner Jasmine Yam also pays tribute to the legend with her version of the romantic classic "Addicted Beauty" (also known as "Blamefully Beautiful"). Hailed as one of the singer's best hits, "Addicted Beauty" from the 1996 album Red was penned by Albert Leung and Tai Chi's Gary Tong. Dreamy and emotional, Jasmine's rendition turns the bluesy, evocative tune to a peaceful R&B piece that blends well with her airy voice.
After joining Universal Music Hong Kong in 1999, Leslie released his 15th Cantonese album Countdown With You with multiple popular singles – one of them was the same-titled track "Countdown With You." Producer JNYBeatz and duo Rock Hill Street – who are currently all under Universal Music Hong Kong – produce a trendy EDM version with strong, addictive beats plus a touch of dreamy atmosphere. Featuring rich layers of vocals, this 2023 remake of "Countdown With You" successfully attracts the ears with its stylish arrangement and playfulness. If Leslie's original version is a banger illustrating the nerve-racking mood before the coming of an unpredictable future, JNYBeatz and Rock Hill Street's rendition would be a chill jam to vibe to while welcoming the unknown together.
MakerVille's three-member group P1X3L – composed of King Maker II's Phoebus Ng, George Au and Marco Ip – collaborates with former As One member and King Maker III participant Kira Chan plus former Dusty Bottle vocalist Kerryta to reinterpret Leslie's award-winning single "Greatest Heat" from the same-titled album released in 2000. Like "A Man of Intention," "Greatest Heat" is composed by Leslie and written by Albert Leung, but this song captures a passionate and intense love in an uptempo dance number. Serving as the producer, Rock Hill Street turns the edgy, fast-tempo composition into a soulful, rhythmical piece that soothes minds yet gives off a subtly seductive feeling.
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Published April 12, 2023
The forever legendary ONE PROMISE x DEZ - MONICA
ERROR - STAND UP
MIKE TSANG - WHO RESONATES WITH ME
LOUISE WONG - STOP FOOLING AROUND
XiX - MISS YOU MUCH
KEUNG TO - CHASE
GIGI YIM - IN MY LIFETIME
ANSON LO - AN AFFAIR
YUTA x APPLE - A MAN OF INTENTION
JASMINE YAM - ADDICTED BEAUTY
JNYBeatz x ROCK HILL STREET - COUNTDOWN WITH YOU
P1X3L x KIRA CHAN x KERRYTA - GREATEST HEAT
Related Articles:
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- The Ever-living Anita Mui
- All In One: Hong Kong Boy Band MIRROR in 12 Songs
- Road to MIRROR: Hong Kong's Biggest Boy Band
- 10 Hong Kong Singer-Songwriters You Should Know
Published April 12, 2023
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