NEW CONTENDERS U Continued from page A PQ- I

Ah Music, sees the situation in the same light as Lee. "In the good times, it is difficult to get a foot in the door, but when times are bad, I can 8 advance while others retreat," Li says. Another new label vying for a cut of the pie is BMA Records, part of the HKSkyE group. Managing director Kenneth Kam Kwong -sing says the company's musical developments represent its hopes of playing a part in reviving the local music scene. He admits that having less com- petition in the market is encouraging. "There is an element of that. With the market being bad and people getting bored with the same old faces all the time, there is more oppor- tunity for new faces to make it," says Kam. "But dedication on the part Faith_ In Bdt-Pop, of our main backer, [businessman] Stephen Lo Kit -shing, to promote good music is also a strong factor." Although there may be differences in motivation, all three new labels Temporary Tattoos And share something in common: They have the resources of a large enter- tainment conglomerate propelling them. The Emperor Entertainment Group is part of the Emperor Group, A Poetic Enhanced-CD presided over by chairman Albert Yeung Sau-shing. The Group-which now has four public -listed companies-started its business as a watch - and -clock retail shop in 1942. Business has expanded to include every- News In Review thing from investment and real estate to restaurant franchises. KOREAN PUP IDOL Steve Yoo -aka Yoo Seung- Jun -promises to be one of the The group branched out into entertainment when it bought Fitto The male singer, who was THE TAIWAN POP SCENE, which more often busiest stars in the year 2000 in Korea. 23- year-old Entertainment, a karaoke and music company. EEG was formed in than not revolves around hoopla, gim- raised in Los Angeles, displayed his energetic and artistic style in 1999 by releas- January 1999, with involvement in four main areas of show business: micks and manufactured pop stars, got ing two studio albums and one live album. His fourth release, "Over And Over," music, films, concert production /promotion and artist management. was a kick in the teeth in the past year when produced by Baeksan Media and distributed by Warner Music Korea, Although EEG is part of the group, it is not one of the listed companies Faith Yang released her second album, released in December and marked another milestone in his career. "It's the first and is funded by Yeung and private investors. At the moment, EEG's "Silence." The album saw the artist dis- time that I had total artistic control over the album," says Yoo, "I got to write more local roster comprises Nicholas Tse, Lillian Ho, Joey Yung, Grace Yip, card the corny beats that often typify songs, invite talented musicians of my choice and even co- produce for the first David Tao and Wang Chieh. Mandopop and tackle a style more often time." Although he has been better -known as a dance artist, the new disc dis- found on albums by such plays his vocal skills, as well; five of his 13 new songs are ballads. Yoo also has MOVING CAUTIOUSLY FORWARD Brit -poppers as Blur and begun work as an anti -smoking envoy in Korea, appearing in public -service mes- Similarly, Mei Ah Music belongs to the Mei Ah Entertainment Group, Pulp- whining guitar and sages distributed by the Ministry Of Health And Welfare. "Yoo has a charisma that formerly known as Mei Ah International Limited. Formed in 1984, Mei solid vocals. Add to this a appeals to both male and female," says Choi Soung -Han, managing director at Ah had previously been involved principally in video distribution but has heap of reverberating Baeksan Media. "Unlike bands or actors, not many solo artists do have a charis- expanded to other areas, including film and electronica on several of ma like Yoo. Male fans like his cool looks. Female fans like how he dances." Yoo, television production, as well as multimedia. the tracks, and you have who already has toured Taiwan three times and last year released an English - Unlike EEG, however, Mei Ah Music is a sub- one of the most innovative language record in Asia, plans a national and regional tour in the year ahead. sidiary of its listed parent company and and individual albums of is concentrating mainly on the Chinese - the past year in Taiwan. speaking markets. So far, it has only signed The album took many involved in the and takes its cue from American bands 'Yearning,' which is a Chinese pop bal- up one recording artist, Taiwanese actress Taiwan music scene by surprise. "A DJ such as Korn and Limp Bizkit. Warner lad, we are approaching the Chinese Ruby Lin Hsin -ru, and has no plans for on his live show played one of the songs is targeting older teenagers as the radio stations, while for tracks such as immediate expansion. off the album, and then, halfway band's core audience, says Mony the Boredphucks' '1 -2 -1,' which is sung "We're an entertainment group, so getting through, he stopped it and said, 'What Romana, WMP international marketing in Hokkien, we are going to Chinese - into the music arena was a natural choice," was that ?' and then put something else A &R manager. An album launch last language clubs and pubs. The techno says Mei Ah's Li. "We need to develop in all on," recalled Yang in a recent interview. October highlighted the lifestyle of the numbers, like Nigel Woodford's 'Rider,' directions in order to build a better base. But because we "I didn't really care, though, as I don't band's audience; it featured a skate- are meant for the English- language we are proceeding very cautiously like him anyway." Should Yang's sound boarding exhibition, tattoo art (offered channels." have not had much experience in this field. be labeled underground? Hardly. Her with non -permanent ink) and artwork by That has always been our way of working: We label, Magic Stone, is one of the most the band members. "This style of music JIEIET TIE INANE has offered the flavor of go step by step. We hope to be bigger and bet- popular labels in Taiwan. Mainstream? isn't a fad and will be around awhile," the new millennium in Malaysia on its ter in the the long term and maybe source for The Taiwan Top 10 would find it hard to says Romana. "Cheese will mature and eponymously titled enhanced CD. The new talent in mainland China, but we would cope with Yang. "To be in my position, develop its own sound within the genre, Positive Tone label, which has been be looking for people who can sing as well as you've got to deal with the left and the and its audience will mature along with it." largely responsible for developing and act." right," says Yang, "the underground exploiting the The newest kid on the block is the HKSkyE Terence Hon blah -blah -blah people on one hand, and THE SINGAPORE TILM titled "Eating Air" fea- English- speaking Group, which comprises a film- production the pop mainstream on the other." The tures a first on its soundtrack, a collabo- urban market of company, an advertising firm, an entertainment Web site (www. labels don't trouble Yang. "I don't give ration of rock and techno acts with Malaysia, was the HKSkyE.com) and an artist -management firm, alongside the music to offer inter- main source financing comes from Lo, a businessman who a.... I don't want to do music just Hokkien (Chinese dialect) pop groups. first label. The of because we're going to give away more Released in December, the film has active CD releases has long been involved in the entertainment business. stuff with the CD and put prettier pictures drawn strong reviews and was selected to the rapidly on it," she explains. "I want to sing and in competition at the Rotterdam growing fanbase MORE THAN A LABEL do good music." International Film of Net surfers. All three executives agree that conditions at present have not been Festival in January. Managing director conducive to the survival of a lone record label. But, with more varied

THE ALTERNATIVE PHILIPPINE rock act Cheese The soundtrack Ahmad lzham Omar says that all 12 business interests, each company can help offset losses with other means is a long -range priority for Warner features seven planned album releases from his stable of revenue. Music Philippines after the group's acts whose styles in 2000 will be "enhanced" with interac- "We're very compact, and we work as a group, not as a lone label. I 1999 eponymously range from elec- tive elements. "In an industry which has feel that only concentrating on a record label is not suitable for a place titled debut album sold tronica to hard - thrived on 'safe' products, we feel that like Hong Kong and the market conditions here, because it is so small. more than 10,000 rock. Says Joe Ng, the market is ripe for change. The It can only be feasible when mainland China opens its markets and can units. A new album the soundtrack's younger generation-exposed to MN, be compared to the American or European markets," explains Lee at from the band is producer, "The Channel V, the Internet and interactive EEG. "In Hong Kong, an artist's success is judged by popularity, and planned for this sum- cross -market potential has been dor- media -have different musical tastes that only comes with more exposure. But a singer cannot release an mer. Cheese's aggres- mant-even though Singapore is a mul- and expect value added technology with album every month, so we have to find other things for them to do: sive sound is a me- tiracial country- because no one has their purchases," he says. The interac- films, commercials, TV work. That's why we need the management arm lange of rock and rap explored it. So, for Juliet Pang's tive content of "Juliet The Orange -The to support it. Their development will be more rounded, and our capital Album" contains poetry by the duo- and resources are better distributed. If the record sales are not good, we Mei May, who is studying economics, can shift more resources to management or film." nu UTERI' NAME in Hong Kong lately is Nicholas Tse, 19, a rising star of the and Pin Lean, currently a law student. For BMA, which has signed 11 new artists, the recording arm comple- Cantopop and film industry. In the past year, he has distinguished himself from The two have been writing and singing ments both the film and the Internet company for the same reasons. other newcomers in the business and has plenty of music awards to show for it together since they met at girls' school "We need the new faces to draw the younger crowd to our Web site, this year. Predictions are that his star will shine even brighter in the months in 1992. Their CD also contains photos, and our new singers need more avenues for exposure, so they work well ahead. Tse, son of '60s silver- screen heartthrob Patrick Tse Yin and actress bios, lyrics and audio samples that can to complement each other," says Kam. Deborah Li, was snapped up for an eight-year contract by then-Fitto Records be remixed. Also released by the label, Of the three new companies, EEG has been the most aggressive in the (now EEG Records) when he returned from Canada, where he had resided until following a triple -platinum debut, is past year and already has the results to show for it. Its main star, Nicholas 1996. Says EEG director/CEO Frankie Lee of his artist's success, "We have con- O.A.G.'s "Melody Mocker" enhanced Tse, has gained a firm foothold in the industry and was featured promi- centrated on bringing out his good points, and I think now the audience is start- CD, which contains home videos, mer- nently in last year's annual music award shows. He also has a highly suc- ing to appreciate his talent. We also make sure he gets exposure through differ- chandising and fanclub hotlinks, games, cessful film career, having appeared in such blockbusters as "Gen -X ent genres of music, and we're encouraging him to also write his own songs." album -production history, audio sam- Cops" and "A Man Called Hero." His recent album, "Most Wanted," sold Tse's latest album, "Most Wanted," hit No. 1 on the IFPI album chart the week of ples from previous releases and audio more than 70,000 units in its first week and was No. 1 on the IFPI- its release, moving almost 70,000 units in sales. loops that can be downloaded. Continued on page APQ 4

APQ-2 BILLBOARD FEBRUARY 26, 2000 www.americanradiohistory.com