Artist : Al Di Meola & Friends
Album : Vocal Rendezvous
Genre : Pop Urban Latin Jazz
Year : 2006
Record Label : Dream Sound Records

Track List:
1. Shame (ft. Joe)
2. I Tried (ft. Angie Stone & Macy Gray)
3. Different Pages (ft. Xavier Naidoo)
4. Topaz (Instrumental)
5. Communication (ft. Beverley Knight & MC Solaar)
6. That's The Truth (ft. Angie Stone)
7. Never Never Never (ft. Bosson)
8. You Are The One (ft. No Mercy)
9. Syncopatico (Instrumental)
10. Rendezvous Rhapsody (ft. Till Bronner)
11. Different Pages (Instrumental)
12. Cuba Africa (ft. Leonid Agutin)

Review:
For those of you who loved jazz played by World Class Jazz Guitarist. You wont miss this album. An awesome package of album by Al Di Meola and Friends. In this album, Al Di Meola is accompanied with some of pop and soul artists. This is why the album named Vocal Rendezvous. Famous name like Joe, Angie Stone, Macy Gray, Beverley Knight, No Mercy, Bosson and the rest of the artists involved there, will give you a cozy tunes. Although it seems
many of the tracks have more pop sound that the jazz itself. It's like listening to the B Side of Santana's Album "Supernatural", hehehehe. But Al did a good job here, by giving some of the tracks to R&B/soul artists such as Angie Stone, Joe, Macy Gray,etc. The overall tunes is great, i just loved of how Al Di Meola blend his playing with appropiate vocals and also showing us of how good his playing. The first hit, "Shame" is a very nice single.I think everyone will love it. It has power to steal anyone heart to hear it till the end. While "I tried", i think will be great song to be launch as 2nd single. Macy's and Angie's
voices is blended into the tunes. R&B lovers will love this single too. If you love to dance, "Never, Never, Never" can creates nice ambience since Bosson sing it so well. If you wanna hear the solo performance by Al Di Meola bands plus saxophonist Till Bronner, check out track number 10. It was so smooth, and can chill your heart. By the way, this great album is produced by Ego Works & Al Di Meola, with Alex Sino as executive producer. So, don't forget to grab this album to bring up some happiness to your life.

My Favourite tracks:
Shame, I tried, Never Never Never, Rendezvous Rhapsody, & Different Pages

Listening When:
Driving out to latin party, Going out town to picnic.

Verdict:
Latin blended with Pop and Jazz

In my final review, i give this album 4 stars rating. A nice recomended album to buy.

Flash Disk berkapasitas 1Gb ini memiliki desain yang simpel tapi cukup trendi. Warna merah yang ditunjukkannya juga sangat pas. Stylish dan elegant. Jika kita bicara soal kecepatan baca dan tulis, Jetflash 150 ini cukup handal karena memiliki kecepatan baca diatas rata-rata flash disk lainnya. Sementara itu kecepatan tulisnya termasuk yang tercepat di kelas USB 1 GB. Selain datang dengan desain dan penampilan yang baik, Flashdisk ini juga dilengkapi software untuk mendukung kinerja tingginya. Softwarenya sendiri mampu melakukan PC lock, Bootable disk, serta fitur untuk mengamankan data di dalam USB dengan pengamanan berupa password. Jetflash yang berdimensi 59mmx19mmx10mm ini dalam paket penjualannya menyertakan Neck strap, cd berisi driver dan manual software, cetakan manual produk, serta kartu garansi seumur hidup. Bobotnya yang hanya 10 gram memang tergolong ringan. Hal ini disebabkan penggunaan SLC (Single level Chip) yang tidak hanya memangkas bobotnya tetapi juga menghasilkan kecepatan tulis yang sangat baik. Berbekal hal ini semua, maka Jetflash layak anda coba sebagai teman setia penyimpanan data, apalagi untuk yang menyukai warna merahnya.
See it for yourself.

Artist : Dewi Lestari
Album : Out of Shell
Genre : Pop Contemporary
Year : 2006
Record Label : E-Motion

Track List:
1. Water Song
2. Simply
3. Uncommon
4. Plastic Cup
5. Fire and Ice (Kala Malam)
6. The End
7. Out of Shell
8. It's Me

Review:
As you know, Dewi Lestari one of Indonesian famous writer from Supernova Series finally releases her debut solo album which titled "Out of Shell". Dewi Lestari or usually we her dee, is one of the member RSD trio which famous around late 90-s until 2002. My first thought about her album is Cold. Not as cold as the ice like in track 5, but cold enough to make me dreaming and remember my first time hearing her voice in RSD hits "Satu Bintang
di Langit Kelam" if im not mistaking. Most of the song is played by Simple instrumental like Solo guitar or solo piano. Some of them is added with some effects like we used to hear in Bjork or Tori Amos. The first hit, "Simply" is simply wandering my mind to hear all of her album tracks. Her pronounciation in this album, somehow is quite strange. Some time clear, sometime not clear enough. Especially in 't" accent. Other review also agreed with me, you might wanna see it in here -> (http://rahard.multiply.com/reviews/item/15).
And then, like my prediction before this album launched, the whole songs uses english language. In My Opinion, Dee should get at least one of Indonesian songs in her album. Most singers do that. I think she forgot about that because busy thinking and writing her next book.Hehehehe.

My Favourite tracks:
Water Song, Uncommon, Fire and Ice and offcourse..Simply

Listening When:
When you prepare to move to new town or city, When you want to enter your cold dreaming session.

Verdict:
Simply Dreamy

In my final review of this album, despite her lack of tracks in this album. Some tracks are nice. And they would be even nicer if she thinks to enrich the sound and her pronounciation. Sorry Dee...only 3 stars from me.

PS: Image taken from Mr Budi page..thx

Review Album

Artist : Bob James
Album Title: Urban Flamingo
Release Date : February 21st, 2006
Label: KOCH Records

Track List:
1. Choose Me
2. Niles A Head
3. Skidaway
4. Urban Flamingo
5. Lay Down With You (feat. Hilary James)
6. Fresh Start
7. Make It More Blue
8. Bobary Coast
9. Endless Time (feat. Nathan East)
10. Wingapo

For everyone out there who loves Fourplay, definitely will know who is Bob James.
But for some people which haven't been hear the name before, let me introduce you
to one of the famous alive legendary people in jazz. Bob James, or should i call
him Grandpa Bob. Beside Fourplay, Bob James involved in many projects he also have
his Bob James Trio and also this Michigan based quintet which we'll review right
here. Anyway, "Urban Flamingo" is Grandpa James' follow-up to his critically
acclaimed 2004 solo label debut "Take It From The Top". The Michigan based quintet
is Al Turner in Bassist, drummer Ron Otis, guitarist Perry Hughes and saxophonist
David McMurray. This great album feature some key tracks such as "Choose Me",
"Skidaway", "Make It More Blue", "Bobary Coast", "Wingapo", and "Endless Time".
"Choose Me" represent the modern and percussive era of Pop Groovy Jazz which we
don't see at Bob James Trio in the past. "Skidaway" is smooth hit but fill in hip
beat of James tunes at piano. "Make It More Blue" can we say it a sensuous hit.
"Bobary Coast" is feature R&B taste combine with Swing sense of Grandpa James's.
Beside those, there are two track that you can't miss. The First one is Lay Down
With You, which feature Bob James' daughter, Hilary. Her voice is quite good for
and the tune is awesome.Unforgettable. The second one is Endless Time which
features Nathan East's voice. Nathan is a famous basslines in FOurplay and his
wordless vocals are caressed by a mystical harmony created by the Chinese er-hu.
As an overall, i think this album is Great and i recommend for those who love
Fourplay and Jazz Contemporary to buy this album. A fantastic album to collect.

Best Cut: Lay Down With Me; Endless Time, and Skidaway

Listening When: You try to find some inspiration either in your business or your lovelife.

Verdict: Hip and Smooth

Sejak kemunculan film terakhirnya 2 tahun lalu, Lord of The Rings (LOTR) trilogi masih tetap mengundang rasa penasaran dari para fans-nya. Electronic Arts (EA) pada awal bulan Maret lalu baru saja merilis sequel dari game berjenis real time strategy, dengan judul Lord of The Rings : The Battle for Middle Earth II. Game yang dikembangkan dan dirilis oleh EA ini memiliki beberapa kelebihan dibandingkan dengan pendahulunya. Kelebihan-kelebihan ini antara lain adalah tampilan grafis yang jauh lebih baik melalui pengembangan pencahayaan dan bayangan yang sempurna, penambahan fitur/mode perang (war of the ring), suara yang sangat baik, pembuatan avatar sendiri, mode multiplayer yang lebih baik serta beberapa kelebihan lainnya yang belum pernah kita lihat langsung dalam filmnya kecuali kita pernah membaca bukunya.
Peta pertarungan pada Battle for Middle Earth II menampilkan berbagai perang yang terjadi, baik itu di belahan utara maupun selatan peta. Namun secara umum, pertarungan yang terjadi mengambil tempat di bagian utara dari Peta Middle Earth. Secara umum, seperti pada seri game sebelumnya, terdapat beberapa kelas dan tipe makhluk yang dapat kita mainkan, antara lain, Kelas Elves dengan kemampuan hebatnya dalam perang jarak jauh lewat busur dan panah, Kelas Dwarves yang hebat dalam membuat mesin perang dan bagus didalam bertahan, Kelas Goblin yang hebat didalam produksi jumlah pasukannya yang sangat banyak. Lokasi-lokasi pertempuran yang bakal kita datangi antara lain, The Shire, Dol Guldur, dan Isengard.
Gameplay dan Mode Campaign
Seperti pada seri sebelumnya. Battle for Middle Earth memberikan kita 2 pilihan didalam mode campaignnya. Pertama, campaign untuk pasukan kebaikan, sedangkan satu lagi campaign jalur pasukan kejahatan. Dalam mode kebaikan, kita akan berupaya menghancurkan cincin seperti di dalam cerita filmnya, sedangkan untuk mode kejahatan, kita sebagai pihak Sauron, yang ingin menguasai dunia Middle Earth melalui perebutan cincin yang dimiliki pihak kebaikan. Mode campaign yang disajikan oleh EA ini dirasakan sedikit membosankan, karena kurangnya penambahan fitur menarik jika dibandingkan dengan campaign yang disajikan pada seri game sebelumnya. Untuk toolbar-toolbar kontrol pada gamenya kurang lebih sama seperti layaknya game-game RTS lainnya. Peta dibagian kiri bawah layar, lengkap dengan informasi level hero yang dimainkan dan berbagai perintah yang dapat kita lakukan didalam game-nya.Sementara itu di layar bagian kiri, terdapat progress upgrade yang sedang dilakukan. Bila ingin melihat kemampuan dan kapasitas bangunan, tinggal klik saja bangunan tersebut. Secara keseluruhan nilai gameplay-nya tidak jauh berbeda dengan seri sebelumnya.
Unit unik dan eksentrik ala Tolkien Mythology
Salah satu hal menarik dalam game ini adalah unit unit yang kita operasikan. Seperti pada mitologi yang diceritakan dalam trilogi LOTR yang bukunya dikarang Tolkien, maka unit-unit di game ini juga mengacu kesana. Ada tentara, pemanah, pasukan kavaleri, serta juga beberapa karakter khusus yang disebut hero, diantaranya adalah Aragorn, dan Witch King. Hero ini memiliki kelebihan khusus yang tidak dimiliki unit biasa, contohnya kemampuan sihir khusus, kemampuan fisik khusus, dll. Selain itu tersedia juga opsi khusus untuk membangkitkan unit spesial dengan tenaga luar biasa besar yang dinamakan Balrog. Membangkitkan Balrog membutuhkan poin khusus yang biasanya didapatkan lewat suat event khusus atau pertempuran khusus.
Fitur War of the Ring
Salah satu hal baru yang diusung sequel dari game LOTR ini adalah mode War of The Ring. Mode ini menghubungkan semua pertempuran yang terjadi pada semua pihak yang terlibat. Ada beberapa skenario yang dapat kita pilih, namun secara umum tujuan utama mode ini adalah bagaimana kita dapat memimpin pihak kita menuju kemenangan dengan menaklukkan semua area Middle Earth dari suatu provinsi ke provinsi lainnya. Dalam pembuatan skenario bebas, kita juga menentukan sendiri bagaimana pihak-pihak lain akan bertindak di dalam mode War of The Ring ini. Berbagai variasi dapat kita ciptakan sendiri sesuai kehendak dan keinginan kita. Dalam mode peperangannya sendiri, kita dapat memilih untuk tidak berperang secara real time melainkan secara strategi saja. Hal ini dapat menghemat waktu kita. Daerah-daerah yang dikuasai ditunjukkan dalam peta. Saat kita melakukan ekspansi wilayah ke bagian peta lainnya, maka kita harus membangun ulang beberapa bangunan yang dinilai tidak permanen pada bagian wilayah yang telah dikuasai, sehingga dirasakan sangat melelahkan. Selain itu untuk pasukan juga berlaku sama, pasukan yang perkembangan dari level ke levelnya tidak mundur hanyalah pasukan-pasukan inti saja. Dengan model ini maka kita dituntut kerja ekstra untuk membangun terlebih dahulu di dalam setiap peperangan yang kita hadapi, dimana bertahan sampai semua fitur upgrade tercapai, kemudian baru menyerang, jika tidak seperti ini, kecil sekali kemungkinan untuk memenangkan pertarungan War of The Ring.
Dengan segala macam fitur & keunikannya, LOTR : The Battle for Middle Earth II sangat cocok untuk para fans LOTR dan juga dapat mengisi waktu luang anda. Selamat Bermain.

Info Lengkap:
Persyaratan Minimum :
System: Prosesor kecepatan 1.6 Ghz atu lebih
RAM: 256 MB
Video Memory: 64 MB
Ruang Hard Disk: 6000 MB
Multiplayer max 8 orang
Direct X 9.0c dan Win XP
Koneksi Broadband untuk mode online game

Brand Patriot selama ini dikenal di pasar sebagai produk yang berusaha tampil berbeda dengan yang lain. Salah satu contohnya dapat kita temui lewat seri Patriot SD Flash Kit. Produk ini terbilang unik karena memiliki 2 fungsi dalam satu produknya. Fungsi utamanya adalah sebagai storage dalam bentuk SD Card. Sedangkan fungsi lainnya adalah terhubung melalui bagian belakang dari port USB ini, yaitu sebagai card reader. Card reader ini hanya mendukung pembacaan memori card untuk jenis MMC,MMC plus dan SD saja. Dengan keunikannya ini, maka kita tak perlu repot ketika membutuhkan transfer data dari kamera digital kita ke laptop/notebook yang tidak memiliki card reader. Selain itu dukungan format MMC plusnya juga sangat menggembirakan, mengingat saat ini beberapa ponsel model baru memakai format MMC plus sebagai media penyimpanan datanya. Dengan begitu maka pemindahan data dari ponsel ke PC/notebook dapat berlangsung lancar. Salah satu keunggulan lain produk ini adalah kecepatan tinggi yang ditawarkannya. Dengan menggunakan card readernya, kecepatan SD card ini lumayan tinggi yaitu sekita 9 MB/s, sementara jika SD Cardnya dipakai dengan card reader biasa, kecepatan transfer baik baca maupun tulisnya meningkat hingga rata-rata 10MB/s. Bagi anda pengguna ponsel dan kamera digital yang mobile, gadget ini cocok buat anda.

Info Lengkap: http://www.patriotmem.com
Harga Retail : Rp. 644.000,-

DEF Jazz
Album: Def Jazz
Year: 2005
Genre: Smooth & Soul Jazz
Label: Tazmanian Music / GRP (Verve Music Group)

Track List:
1. All I Need
(Roy Hargrove on Trumpet)
2. Hey Young World
(Gerald Albright on Saxophone & Kevin Tonet on vibes, Wurlitzer)
3. Can I Get A...
(Jeff Lorber on Wurlitzer, Vibes & Dwight Sills on Guitar)
4. Doin' It
(Dwight Sills on Guitar & Audra Bryant on vocals)
5. Bring The Pain
(Hubert Laws on Flute & Kevin Toney on Moog)
6. The Rain
(Ledisi on vocals & Oran Jones on vocal rap)
7. Ghetto Jam
(Rick Braun on trumpet & Dwight Sills on guitar)
8. Get U Home
(Gerald Albright on Saxophone & Ach on vocals)
9. Back Seat
(Dwight Sills on guitar & Jeff Lorber on Moog and piano)
10. Give It Up
(Scott Mayo on Saxophone)
========
Review:
Bagi anda pencinta musik Smooth Jazz yang juga doyan musik kontemporer,R&B,
serta Soul, mungkin harus mencoba mendengarkan Album Def Jazz ini. Mengapa?
Bukan hanya banyak musisi jazz yang terlibat, tetapi juga uniknya kombinasi
dari musik-musik jazz apabila dicampur dengan musik bergenre Pop,Soul, dan
bahkan Rap. Salah satu track menarik yang dapat disimak adalah 'Can I Get A...'.
Lagu yang awalnya dipopulerkan oleh rapper Jay Z tersebut menjadi unik. Bagi
anda yang doyan tiupan flute, simak track 'Bring The Pain'. Penyanyi Soul
Wanita, Ledisi juga dapat dengar suaranya pada track 'The Rain'. Yah, itung-
itung lagu 'The Rain' sebagai teman anda di musim-musim hujan sekarang ini.
Saxophonist beken Gerald Albright juga turut dalam album ini yakni pada track
'Hey Young World' yang terkesan chic dan pop. Kemudian juga pada track 'Get U Home'
yang sangat contemporer smooth. Track ini juga mengingatkan saya kepada salah
satu lagunya Dave Koz pada era awal album beliau. Bagi yang suka sentuhan
piano pada smooth jazz, simak saja track 'Back Seat'. Di track tsb, pianis
handal Jeff Lorber tampil apik. Sementara itu pada track penutup, anda akan
mendengarkan kebolehan Scott Mayo. Album ini diproduseri oleh Tony Joseph
dari Tazmaniac Music (bagian dari GRP record).

Best Cut menurut saya:
'Get U Home', 'Bring The Pain', dan tentu saja 'Can I Get A'

Listening When:
Working at your lovely office spaces, Waiting for your appointment or while
preparing your bedroom in the morning.

Verdict:
Smooth Sound with Hip Voices.

Bagi anda professional yang mobile dan cukup sering melakukan presentasi dengan memakai laptop, adakalanya menghadapi situasi dimana suara presentasi yang anda inginkan tidak keluar dengan jelas atau kurang kuat powernya sehingga tidak terdengar ke seluruh ruangan presentasi. Untuk menghadapi kondisi ini, Philips mencoba menawarkan produk speaker portable-nya yang cukup trendy dan berkualitas suara lumayan bagus yakni Philips DGX320. Speaker portable ini memakai interface USB sebagai sumber dari sinyal audio digitalnya sekaligus juga sebagai sumber catu daya. Karenanya maka anda tidak lagi membutuhkan AC adapter ataupun baterai. Desain dari produk dengan dimensi 4x6,5x12,5 cm ini sangat menarik dimana kedua speakernya dapat disatukan menjadi satu bagian (one piece system). Kabel USB yang disediakan sepanjang 30 cm berlapis karet yang melekat permanent di speaker. Karena data dan power disatukan melalui USB, maka Speaker ini tidak bisa digunakan untuk speaker walkman atau MP3 player. Untuk urusan kualitas suara, maka Philips menyediakan tweeter 0,5” yang berpadu dengan midrange 2”, dilengkapi pula oleh fitur “Passive Radiator” yang dapat memperbaiki respon suara untuk frekuensi mid-bass sehingga lebih jelas lagi. Suara mid dan treble yang dihasilkan Philips DGX320 ini terbilang cukup bagus dimana respon frekuensi berkisar antara 80-20000Hz. Kelemahannya hanya pada suara bass dimana memang sangat jarang ditemui speaker portable memiliki suara bass yang bagus. Secara overall Philips DGX320 yang berkekuatan 2x1 Watt RMS ini memang sangat cocok untuk pengguna laptop yang menginginkan speaker kecil, praktis yang mudah dibawa kemana-mana.
Info: http://www.philips.com
Harga Retail: Rp. 430.000,-

Genre: Contemporary Adult & Soul Jazz
Label: Kalimba Records
Year: 2005

Track List:
1. Lovely People (feat. Will-I-Am)
2. Pure Gold
3. A Talking Voice (Interlude)
4. Loves Dance
5. Show Me The Way (feat. Raphael Saadiq)
6. This Is How I Feel (feat. Big Boi; Kelly Rowland & Sleepy Brown)
7. Work It Out
8. Pass You By
9. The One
10. Elevated (feat. Floetry)
11. Liberation
12. To You (feat. Brian McKnight)
13. The Way You Move (feat. Kenny G)

The News & Review:
The influence and timeless signature sound of Earth, Wind & Fire is crystal
clear with the single releases. Black Eyed Peas leader Wil I Am wrote and
produced the rousing “Lovely People” complete with peppery horn and kalimba
lines. Super producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis tip their trademark hats in
tribute to the horn-laced ensemble sound of The Fire with the gently
uplifting “Pure Gold.”

The seeds of Illumination’s origin sprang from an idea lead singer Philip
Bailey had of collaborating with a new generation of soul artists for his
next solo album. “The idea of illumination is vibrant and positive,”
states EWF’s Philip Bailey. “Earth Wind & Fire collaborating with the new
soul movement made sense because the thrust of their music is still about
playing instruments and utilizing vintage sounds, only in today’s setting.”

Jam & Lewis’ sexy flirtation “Love Dance” on Illumination was playfully
utilized in the 2005 animated film release, Robots. Grammy Award winner
Raphael Saadiq(Tony! Toni! Tone!; Lucy Pearl) produced four songs on
Illumination, including “Show Me the Way” – a duet he sings with EWF leader
Maurice White and that earned a 2004 Grammy nomination for Best R&B Vocal
by a Duo or Group. He also contributes the samba-rooted “Work it Out;”
a fitting showcase for Philip’s falsetto titled “Pass You By;” and the
vibrant track “Loves Dance.”

For Illumination’s star–studded track, EWF bounces to the ATL for the hip
hop-laced party joint “This Is How I Feel,” produced by Organized Noize and
featuring rapper Big Boi of OutKast, and singers Sleepy Brown and Kelly
Rowland of Destiny’s Child in a duet with EWF lead singer Philip Bailey.
This steamy invitation to boogie was also used this year in the Will Smith
romantic comedy, Hitch.

Crooner Brian McKnight’s fusion of key elements from past Earth, Wind &
Fire’s classic ballads creates his own epic, “To You.” Acclaimed female
poetry/soul duo Floetry bring their conscience cleansing balm to the
soothing motivator “Elevated” (produced by Darren Henson and Keith Pelzer).
R&B futurist Vikter Duplaix laces the joyously tropical instrumental
“Liberation,” which features tantalizing bursts of EWF’s wondrous wordless
vocal melodies. As a bonus, the pied piper of soprano sax Kenny G guests on
a cover of OutKast’s infectious, instant club classic, “The Way You Move.”

Earth, Wind & Fire is simply one of the most important, influential,
innovative and commercially omnipotent contemporary pop music bands of the
20th century. Their 35-year history produced million and millions of albums
sold worldwide (including eight double-platinum albums, two platinum albums
and three gold albums). Five #1 R&B albums, one #1 Pop and eight Top 10 Pop
albums, and eight #1 R&B singles.

Earth, Wind & Fire and the founding members have eight Grammy Awards, four
American Music Awards, honors from the NAACP and BET and a Star on the
Hollywood Walk of Fame. The coup de grace: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
induction in 2000. Earth Wind & Fire remains to this day one of the top
globally popular touring attractions with a catalog of mega-hits spanning
over three decades.
======================

My Opinion on this album:
Very good and quite amusing since their last 2003 album. Most of the tracks
are catchy and joyfull especially Pure Gold, Loves Dance, Liberation, Show
Me The Way, Pass You By, and To You. EWF never lost their magic touch in
making great single and collaborating with other artists. Every element of
jazz,soul,hiphop are right here combined and mixed perfectly. Overall i
recommend this album to buy. Especially for those who love them from the
beginning.

Listening When:
Reminiscing the old time with your high school & college buddies; Driving
your classic car on the way to retro party; Hanging out with jazz-a-holiq.

Verdict:
Old Flava Groove mixed up with Nu Hip Hop Era

Label: E-motion
Genre: Pop Contemporary & Ethnical Jazz
Release: July 2005

Track List:

1. My Music
2. Selalu Denganmu (feat. Gita Wirjawan)
3. Cinta Yang Kucari
4. No More
5. Tentang Kamu
6. Arti Hatimu
7. This Way
8. Bintang Jatuh
9. I Will Teach You How To Dance
10. How Much You Mean To Me
11. When You Miss Somebody (feat. Rick Smith)
12. Dance With Me (feat. Kevin Wahl)

Review
I've already know about this album when the first single "Cinta Yang Kucari" hit the road
and topping some radio chart in Indonesia. But the chance to taste the whole songs just came
up when the album hit the store in CD format about 2 and half months ago. First impression
about this album was awesome. The next hearing session makes me believe that this album is
completely soulful and really smoothing my mood, especially when i feel bad or lonely.
Teuku Adi Fitrian a.k.a. Tompi as we know is the lead vocal of Bali Lounge (Ethic & Contemporary
jazz group). At the past Tompi was also known as lead vocal of Cherokee and Funky Thumbs. Both
are jazz groups too. This 26 years old man's album is already been waiting by his fans.
This self titled album is gives us lots of soul and energy in the whole 12 tracks which also
featuring Tompi's bandmate in Bali Lounge (Rick Smith) and also featuring Kevin
Wahl and also the 'Boss' in this great album (Executive Producer 'Gita Wirjawan'). Most the tracks
are written himself. The second hit 'Selalu Denganmu' is a mellow song which shows us Tompi's Love
and Dedication to God. Some potential hits are already been booked too. Starting from ethnical love
song 'Tentang Kamu' which have some sound loop from 'Gamelan', A melting love songs "This Way" until
Contemporary smooth jazz hit "When You Miss Somebody". Overall this album is worth to buy for those
who loved jazz and also for you Tompi's fans..hehehe.

Listening When:
Going nuts with office works in the afternoon; Waiting your friend to hang out; Going on the date with
your best friend.

Verdict:
Melting, Hip and Soulful

Directed by Nobuhiro Doi
Cast : Yuko Takeuchi, Shido Nakamura, Akashi Takei

Resume:
Mio's Death leaves husband Takumi and 6 years old son Yuji fending for themselves.
Taku ocassionally suffers fainting spells, is disorganized, and fears that his health
hindered Mio's happiness. Yuji over heard relatives speculate that his delivery
compromised her health, and he blames himself for her death. Mio left him a picture book
in which she departs for "The Archieve Star" (known as Aikobu Star in Japan) but re-appears
during the rainy season the following year, and he eagerly awaits her return. Taking a walk
in the forest outside their house, Taku & Yuji find a woman sheltering from the rain and
immediately accept her as Mio. She has no memory or sense of identity, but comes home to
livewith them anyway. She asks Taku how they met and fell in love, and he recounts a tale
of years ofmissed chances starting in high school until she encouraged their marriage years
later.

My Opinion:
Very touching and so romantic. Love never dies even you're already in other side of the world.

Verdict:
Just wish upon a star..;)

Further info : http://www.tbs.co.jp/movie/english/bewithyou/

Bagi anda penikmat audio professional tentunya sudah tidak asing dengan brand Sennheiser.Kali ini merek asal Jerman ini hadir dengan produk headphone PC 155 USB untuk professional gamer. Produk ini juga cocok untuk penikmat musik dan film juga karena kualitas natural suaranya. Dengan frekuensi response 18-22000Hz membuat headphone ini menjadi suatu headphone berkualitas memuaskan karena cakupan frekuensinya yang sangat luas. Karakter suaranya yang natural dan jernih sangat cocok bagi penikmat musik. Sementar suara bass-nya solid dan bertenaga sementara suara treble-nya proporsional dan alami membuatnya menjelma menjadi satu headphone kelas atas. Dilengkapi dengan microphone untuk kemudahan komunikasi berbasis intenet spt VoIP dan game online. Fleksibilitas microphonenya sangat mengagumkan karena dapat posisinya diatur sesuai keinginan kita. Bantalan spons pada bagian atas kepala dan di bagian telinga membuat pemakainya merasa nyaman. Sementara kabelnya cukup panjang yakni 3 meter. Meski panjang, kabel ini dapat kita atur lebih rapi dengan penggulung kabel yang disertakan Sennheiser. Dengan konsep Single-sided cable yang menghindari keruwetan kabel, dimana pengatur volume dapat ditemui pada bagian mendekati headset, membuat PC 155 USB menjadi produk spesial yang sangat compact. Untuk koneksi ke PC, dapat memanfaatkan port USB, dimana kabel sambungan konektor USB-nya ini sesungguhnya adalah sound card eksternal. Namun apabila anda tidak ingin menggunakan soundcard externalnya, maka dapat langsung menyambungkannya dengan sound card PC anda. Anda juga dapat memakainya langsung pada discman/walkman maupun MP3 player.

Info Lengkap: http://www.sennheisercommunications.com
Harga Retail : ± RP. 1.500.000,-

Record Label: Avexnet
Genre: Swing Jazz

Track List:
1. Route 66
2. Avalon
3. And The Melody Still Lingers On (Night In Tunisia)
4. Free
5. Fly Me To The Moon
6. Summertime
7. The Face I Love
8. The Girl From Ipanema
9. It's Only A Paper Moon
10. Orange Colored Sky
11. The Very Thought Of You
12. (I Can Recall) Spain
13. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
14. I Can't Give You Anything But Love
15. You're Everything
16. Calling You

Refreshing, Brave, Cheerfull and also makes your heart swinging and melting. That's my first impressions listening to this album. Strange when look at the name Coco d'Or but you'd love them later. And then i shocked when knowing
that the singer is Hiro, (Former Frontline of SPEED, one of the popular
girls pop group in Japan).Everyone who loves j-pop must be knowing her.Well
i do, so i really glad that she decide to switch her way to swing jazz.
Anyway, back to the album. This fabolous album consist of 16 beautiful remake
songs.From the old swing bebop era (Route 66, It's Only A Paper Moon,etc.)
until the modern era of contemporary swing jazz (I Can Recall Spain, You're
Everything,etc.).From western influence (Summertime) until latin bossas
(The face i love).Salute also giving to the producers especially Akio Suzuki
who can make arrangement to this very special and rare album which ever made
by Hiro. talking about the tracks, i have many favourite tracks here, but
my mind always remember these two awesome tracks "Summertime" & "The Face I Love".I highly recomended this awesome album not only to those who love swing & bossas jazz but also to you who love Hiro's voice. At the last, i really hope that Hiro could make some performance with her band right here in Jakarta.I'd love to watch Coco d'Or show.

Listening When:
When you sit & relax to enjoy teatime with biscuit, When you drive in night time
after lovely dinner date, when you wanna have chill time in jazz lounge.

Verdict:
Melting and swinging in my mind

Piknik, bersantai di pantai atau tempat lainnya bersama dengan teman teman anda terkadang terasa membosankan bila tidak ditemani musik. Bagi anda pengguna Apple Ipod atau pocket digital audio player lainnya yang merasa kebingungan ketika ingin mendapatkan suara bagus pada saat mendengarkannya lewat speaker kecil maka kali ini tidak perlu bingung dan pusing lagi. Logitech baru baru ini mengeluarkan Portable Speakers yang dapat dibawa kemanapun anda pergi untuk menjadi speaker dari Ipod atau digital audio player anda. Logitech mm22 Portable Speakers ini mampu menghantarkan suara audio yang jernih, lembut dan juga bertenaga. Jangan remehkan bentuknya yang kecil sebelum anda mendengarkan suaranya. Meski bentuknya kecil tetapi power dan kejernihan termasuk luar biasa untuk kelas speaker mini. Hal ini dimungkinkan dengan adanya dukungan dari quad micro drivers. Sumber tenaga gadget ini sangat fleksibel karena berasal dari 4 baterai AAA atau lewat AC adapter. Konektor ke digital audio player mempergunakan 3,5 mm stereo mini jack. Dalam bundelnya juga termasuk tas eksklusif untuk membawa portable speakers ini kemana-mana dilengkapi dengan 8 inch dan 24 inch stereo mini cable plus garansi 2 tahun. Jadi acara piknik anda sekarang dapat lebih ceria lagi dengan adanya portable speaker ini.

Info Lengkap: http://www.logitech.com
Harga Retail: ± Rp. 500.000,-

Directed by Michael Bay

Main Cast:
Ewan McGregor (Lincoln Six Echo/Tom Lincoln)
Scarlett Johansson (Jordan Two Delta/Sarah Jordan)

Plot: A man (Ewan McGregor) goes on the run after he discovers that he is actually a "harvested being", and is being kept along with others in a utopian facility. Together with his mate "Jordan' they runaway and try to find their destiny.

From My opinion, this movie is great. Althought can't compete with Fantastic 4 in the box office. More than i expected and gimme not just entertaintment but also lessons about humanity where cloning are surely doubted.

Best Scene: Chasing scent in the big truck. Fucking Awesome!!

Other Good Things: Nice babe (Scarlett), too bad the romance scene is short but i'm impressed with the angle shot and the interior design too. Yeah minimalist design rules ;D

Verdict: Don't ever play with your "Polis Insurance" ;)

Genre: Alternative Poprock
Label: Sony BMG

Track List:
1. Get Me Out of Here
2. Break You
3. Crawl
4. Here I Am
5. Little by Little
6. End of Me
7. 13 Days
8. For You I'll Die
9. Let Me Introduce Myself
10. Heads Will Roll
11. At The End of The Day
12. Six Feet Under
13. Gotta Be Kidding
14. In Spite of Me
15. Surfing The Sun (Bonus Track)

This year one of the member of M2M, Marion Raven finally release her debut
solo album. The album is having different taste from M2M style, although
the roots of the music is still pop. The album was opened with "Get Me Out
of Here" track, which is heavy and cheerfull pop rock. This song reminds
me to Hilary Duff pop rock style, although they have different vocal style.
In "Little by Little" she tried to play smooth poprock which i though not
so bad. The hitmaker single "End of Me" which currently strong at radio
airplay and chart is telling us about ego, pride and the fall of them.
Marion also filling her album with piano style song through "For You I'll
Die" which is i prefer to call it mellow rock old flava. While in "Heads
Will Roll" she pulls the album beat again with high speed and full of
distorsion. In the next track we'll back again being served by pop style
song.Overall this album was good. Although not good enough to get 4 star rating by me.

Listening When:
Rushing out from your bed in the morning and there you go to the closet
doing some mornin' ritual. Accompany while you get bored waiting in queue.

Verdict:
Another chick goes to rock

Release Date: 15 June (Japan); 20 June (UK & Other Asian); 21 June (US)
Label: Epic/SonyBMG Records

Track List:
1. Jamiroquai - Feels Just Like It Should
2. Jamiroquai - Dynamite
3. Jamiroquai - Seven Days In Sunny June
4. Jamiroquai - Electric Mistress
5. Jamiroquai - Starchild
6. Jamiroquai - Loveblind
7. Jamiroquai - Talulah
8. Jamiroquai - (Don't) Give Hate A Chance
9. Jamiroquai - World That He Wants
10. Jamiroquai - Black Devil Car
11. Jamiroquai - Hot Tequila Brown
12. Jamiroquai - Beatbox
13. Jamiroquai - Time Won't Wait

After four years since the last album "Funk Odyssey", Jamiroquai back to shock us once again with his awesome fresh album which called 'Dynamite'. It's thirteen years since Jamiroquai main man Jay Kay signed his unprecedented eight album deal with Sony's S2 label (Now SonyBMG). Back in 1992 Kay was a skinny white kid with a skateboard, a passion for vintage rare groove and a bizarre 'Buffalo' hat. Over twenty million albums, four world tours and 141 weeks on the UK singles chart later, it's safe to say the gamble paid off.

Thanks to five albums of consistently on-point, danceable grooves and mercilessly unshakable melodies - not to mention an undisputed reputation as an electrifying live act - Kay's as recognisable in France, Spain, Italy, South America, South Africa, Australia and Japan as he is to anyone who's ever picked up a UK tabloid.

"I've still got so much to prove," he says of why he's spent the best part of two years writing, recording and honing sixth album, 'Dynamite'. "You've always got something to prove in this game. But the bottom line is I still love it. I love the thrill of seeing a track come together, and with this album we've been sitting with tracks, meticulously going through them, changing things, getting it right."

Dynamite was written and recorded in Spain, Italy, Costa Rica, Scotland, New York, Los Angeles and his own purpose built Buckinghamshire studio. 'Dynamite' is both a consolidation of thirteen years of Jamiroquai's trademarked sci-fi sound and a cocky, two fingers to anyone who thinks that at 35, Kay might be resting on his country pile.

The hit single 'Feels Just Like It Should' for one is a ramped-up, high-octane snarl; Jamiroquai's organic funk put through a digital grinder and pinned to a filthy groove. "Yeah, it's really filthy Man. And that bass groove came from me pissing about as a human beatbox. You hear it and think what the fuck's this? If you haven't had an album out in four years you want to have an impact, and this says it, I'm back with a vengeance."..yeahh.

Second track in album 'Dynamite' really put some great works there while the sweetly swaying 'Seven Days In Sunny June' is pure Jamiroquai romance, only with extra sunshine and extra mild. 'The World He Wants' is a half-time reflection on where the 'leader' of the free world is taking it. 'Star Child' questions the mindset of a world where TV evangelists are seen as moral guardians and thumping floor-filler 'Give Hate A Chance' is an anthemic, DJ ready, sign of our times. You can hear the smooth saxophone in 'Talulah',it really blew me. And the last track (my personal favourite tracks beside 'Seven Days in Sunny June'), 'Time Won't Wait' really marvelous to blow away all audiences, since the funk-acid beat so familiar and radio friendly. Overall, this 'DYNAMITE' is A MUST HAVE ALBUM. It really blow your mind and your soul. Bravo Jamiroquai. You rule in this SUMMER!!.

Listening When:
In your mornin' rush to keep your spirit high; When you face the lousy traffic to kill your time waitin'; When you hit the street with IPOD/Mp3 Player by walking around.

Verdict:
This acid & funk tunes really EXPLOSIVE

Local Release Date: Late May 2005
International Release Date: June 7th 2005
Label: A&M
Feat. Guest: James Brown; Justin Timberlake; Sting; Q-Tip; Talib Kweli; John Legend; Cee-Lo; Jack Johnson
Producer: Will. i. am & Timbaland

Track List:

1. Black Eyed Peas - Pump It (3:33)
2. Black Eyed Peas - Don't Phunk With My Heart (3:59)
3. Black Eyed Peas - My Style (Feat. Justin Timberlake) (4:28)
4. Black Eyed Peas - Don't Lie (3:39)
5. Black Eyed Peas - My Humps (5:27)
6. Black Eyed Peas - Like That (Feat. Cee-Lo, John Legend, Talib Kweli & Q-Tip) (4:34)
7. Black Eyed Peas - Dum Diddly (4:19)
8. Black Eyed Peas - Feel It (4:19)
9. Black Eyed Peas - Gone Going (Feat. Jack Johnson) (3:14)
10. Black Eyed Peas - They Don't Want Music (Feat. James Brown) (6:46)
11. Black Eyed Peas - Disco Club (3:48)
12. Black Eyed Peas - Bebot (3:30)
13. Black Eyed Peas - Ba Bump (3:56)
14. Black Eyed Peas - Audio Delite At Low Fidelity (5:29)
15. Black Eyed Peas - Union (Feat. Sting) (5:04)

After the smashing hitmaker album "Elephunk", BEP come back again with some creative and improvement sounds and also better guest stars featuring in this "Monkey Business". The first hit here is "Don't Phunk with My Heart". Maybe we already have heard that on the radio and MTV. The next hit, i'll predict will be "They Don't Want Music" feat. The Godfather 'James Brown'. I really luv the funk tunes there. Also we'll hear some rap collaboration with some old fashioned retro sound in "Like That". Wanna get down and dance, check out "Dum Diddly", "My Style" feat. Justin Timberlake, "Disco Club" and also "Bebot". In "Bebot" we'll hear some Tagalog Rap language. Wanna get some accoustic style?? Jack Johnson make it with BEP on "Gone Going". If you love Sting, don't forget to snap Sting "Englishman on New York" recycle transform into "Union" at the last track. If you buy the CD, there's also bonus track...;). Overall you might not want to ignore this album.

Listen When:
On the street while driving your car with the high volume especially on the bass. Accompany your journey with Ipod while you get rush into your office in the morning. Partying with all your friends.

Verdict:
Hip & Crunk

PDA berbentuk handy dan modis ini adalah salah satu andalan DELL untuk mencoba meraih pasar PDA yang banyak dikuasai HP dan O2. Berbekal berat 175 gram dengan dimensi 119 mm x 73 mm x 17 mm, PDA ini memang sangat spesial karena tergolong slim dan mungil. Mengemas dual expansion slots yakni CF dan SD card, Bluetooth 1.2, serta tanpa kehadiran antenna yang menonjol membuat PDA yang semua sisinya terbungkus lapisan karet ini sangat ergonomis dan indah dipandang.

Layarnya yang berdisplay TFT LCD 640x480 pixel atau setara dengan 3,7 inchi apabila diukur dengan lebar, memang sangat spesial. Apabila kita melongok isi bagian dalamnya maka kita akan tahu kalau PDA ini diperkuat oleh jajaran prosesor terbaik dari Intel yaitu PXA270 dengan kecepatan 624 Mhz. Selain didukung prosesor yang baik, PDA ini juga didukung chip grafis PowerVR yang juga dipakai pada engine mesin Dreamcast dengan memori sebesar 16MB, yang mampu menjalankan Direct 3D dan Open GL dengan lancar. Bila kita tilik RAM, maka PDA ini memiliki RAM sebesar 64 MB dengan besar ROM 128 MB.

Salah satu keuntungan lain yang dimiliki Dell Axim X50v ini adalah layarnya dapat dihubungkan ke display eksternal dengan menggunakan adaptor. Hal tersebut dirasa sangat praktis dan bisa dijadikan alternatif penganti notebook. Dengannya anda kini memiliki pocketable presenter karena kapanpun, asal ada display ekternal anda dapat berpresentasi dengan simple tanpa harus membawa notebook anda. Untuk sistem operasi, PDA ini berbekal Windows Mobile 2003SE dari Microsoft yang tampil lebih halus dan nikmat untuk dipandang.

X50v ini merupakan keluaran pertama Dell yang dilengkapi Windows Media Player 10 Mobile. Sinkronisasikan PDA anda dengan desktop lalu anda pun akan mendapatkan video (termasuk rekaman TV dan video lainnya) dan audio (termasuk WMA dengan Janus DRM (Digital Right Management)) di kantung anda. Lebih kurang mirip seperti Portable Media Center. Jadi PDA ini adalah barang yang luar biasa, buat professional semacam anda, saya merekomendasikannya secara penuh.

Info Lengkap: http://www.dell.co.uk

Harga Retail : Rp. 5.950.000,-

Bagi anda yang sudah lama mengidamkan kamera digital semi SLR yang punya fitur lengkap dan kemampuan yang luar biasa serta harga yang sangat kompetitif, mungkin saatnya anda melihat sejenak produk keluaran Konica Minolta Dimage Z20 ini.

Dirilis pada awal tahun 2005 ini, kamera berbobot 300 gram (tanpa baterai dan memori card) dengan dimensi 109 mm x 82 mm x 94 mm ini ternyata memiliki kemampuan yang tidak dapat kita duga sebelumnya. Dengan kekuatan 5 megapiksel dilengkapi kemampuan 8 kali optikal zoom dan 4 kali digital zoom, Dimage Z20 tampil memukau karena harga yang ditawarkannya sangat-sangat terjangkau dan murah untuk kelas sejenisnya.

Sensitivitas kamera ini juga cukup lumayan yakni ISO auto, 50, 100, 200, dan 320, kemudian dilengkapi pula dengan lensa 36-290 mm yang mampu menangkap range gambar yang cukup luas. Kecepatan shutternya juga sangat bervariasi mulai dari 1/2000 detik hingga sampai 4 detik. Dilengkapi dengan layar LCD 1,5 inchi dan Slot SD card merupakan bagian standar dari berbagai jenis kamera sejenisnya. Untuk memori penyimpanan, selain mengandalkan Slot SD card, kita bisa juga memanfaatkan memori internal yang ada yakni sebesar 14,5 MB.

Start up pada Dimage Z20 ini juga sangat cepat yakni hanya 0,5 detik saja. Dilengkapi juga dengan image stabilisator yang mampu menstabilkan fokus dalam waktu sangat singkat. Untuk mode pengambilan gambar, tersedia 6 mode yakni malam hari, siang hari, pemandangan, potret close up, motion dan auto mode. Selain mode mode itu ada juga mode manual, shuter mode, aperture mode dan Movie mode. Kemampuan movie recording Dimage Z20 ini bisa merekam dengan resolusi 640x480 dengan durasi sesuai besar dari media penyimpanan anda.

Anda yang senang fotografi untuk bidikan jarak jauh juga bisa menambahkan lensa tele pada kamera ini. Kesimpulannya kamera ini cukup ekonomis dan penuh dengan fitur yang tidak anda dapatkan dengan kamera digital pada harga yang sama dengannya.

Info Lengkap: http://konicaminolta.com/products/consumer/digital_camera/dimage/dimage-z20/

Hraga Retail : Rp. 2.700.000,- s/d Rp. 2.900.000,-