"Energy" (by Keri Hilson)

It's been a long time. A long-awaited "The E.N.D." has come to record shops at last. This is Black Eyed Peas' first album in four years or so.

The title sounds like the quartet is breaking up with this "final" album released. Among members, will.i.am is well-known, successful producer as well as solo artist. Fergie also sold her first solo album "Dutchess" of some 6 million copies.

Reportedly, however, the E.N.D. stands for Energy Never Dies. So, does the title mean oil won't dry up? Or are they as interested in Toyota's Prius as was Leonardo DiCaprio? Or talking about renewable energy and Green New Deal?

Renewable Energy?!

Whatever their intention is, Black Eyed Peas, which is named after a soulfood, tastes very different from the previous albums. The first single, "Boom Boom Pow", was a shock. Many other songs in the album are also like techno, dance music. And a bit sounds like will.i.am's solo "Songs About Girls" (2007). On the other hand, songs "I Got That Feeling", "Alive" and "One Tribe" do have some traits from previous albums "Elephunk" and "Monkey Business". Traits of Energetic, organic, danceable hip-hop. So, the new album surely catch the attentions from old and new fans.

BEP's music is great, but I also like the group in that the members have diverse backgrounds: a Jamaican American, an Afro-Filipino, a Mexican-Native American and a white female vocalist. Such multiethnic backgrounds certainly fuel the group's energy to create a universal, contemporary pop music.

Such an energy never dies.

"When the Sunshine Comes" (by Kero One)

Opening eyes is not hard in every single morning. Yet crawling out of a bed and taking the first step out of home are the hardest parts. These are common all over the world, but Being squeezed into a rush-hour commuter train is, HORRIBLE only if you live in Tokyo unfortunately. To many, morning ain't the end of nightmare. But, only the start of it. Real one.

Music might help you start a beautiful day.

"Good Morning" (by Kanye West)
My long-time morning alarm as well as a favorite promotion video.

"Shine" (by Laura Izibor)
The sound of piano and Laura's voice touch your eardrum softly.

"When the Sunshine Comes" (by Kero One)
The song will take you not to the downtown office but beach.

"Morning in Rio" (by Sergio Mendes)
Imagine yourself in Rio de Janeiro.

"Wake" (by Linkin Park)
The intro from LP's latest album expresses a lay of sunlight, morning agony and yawn... With the album, one can rock every single day.

Well, music ain't enough maybe. The best of best ways to jump-start a morning is to stop by a Starbucks shop and get a cup of coffee!! Then, you'll get awake from the five senses.

Morning Calm

What a shame.

Lately I realized I've spent last four years or so not listening to Kero One. It is my regret. Deeeeep one.

I go to a Tower Records once a week, and check every single new HipHop album. Yet, his first collection did not draw my attention. I overlooked it perhaps because of my immaturity. Ain't mature enough for listening to this mellow jazzy HipHop.

But, now I had a lesson. Have grown up for not passing by his second, which came out this year. Kero One's second, "Early Believers", is a perfect BGM for beautiful, sunny weekend mornings. The songs are chill but heartwarming. It appears to me that he certainly has a heritage from the land of "the Morning Calm". "Early Believers" is a music of the Morning Calm.

According to the weather forecast, Tokyo got into the rainy season (梅雨) today. That gloomy, humid rainman is back to the city again, but thank God, I got Kero One this year. The Korean American's songs will dry the dampness up with refreshing air!!

The music, with a glass of Iced Coffee blend at Starbucks, guarantees a time for meditation.

"Easier to Run" (by Linkin Park)

Nike Free Everyday +2

This new model from Nike is soft and light like socks. Definitely easier to run, and I even feel like I can fly!! Haven't yet run but taken just a walk. Perhaps start running after getting a Nike + iPod Sport Kit.

"Welcome to the Bay" (by Kero One)

For Kero One, the Bay means San Francisco, but this Bay is the other side of Pacific Ocean, Yokohama.

I'm back, and so is African Festa, with 34 African embassies, 60 NGOs, sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Yokohama City.


One can get a free poster, buy African accessories or enjoy a live music concert

and street music performances here

and there,

Or get an African drum lesson.

But, wherever I am, can't start a day without a Starbucks coffee!! Here's one at Chinatown. (Oh, and Ethiopian embassy was selling its coffee, too.)

and Chinese supper. (I did have African cuisine too!!)

"Right Round" (by Flo Rida)

you spin my head right round, right round

It's been a couple month since we moved in a new apartment, and slowly started purchasing new furniture for it, one by one like a ceiling fan in the picture above. My wife and I will cover all items of our long shopping list hopefully by the end of this year.

On the other hand, I'll keep some "Pandra's boxes" for this year's hot summer night thrill. (And I won't remember which items I enclosed in each box by then. )

Pandra's Boxes, or Panda's?

Anybody who want Korean cuisine or such a thrill are welcome.

Thanks, Mom

Since its sweet, gospel-like mood, it ain't hard to imagine R&B has songs written for mom. "A Song for Mama" (by Boyz II Men), a soundtrack from the movie "Soul Food" (1997), is a perfect song. And K-Ci & Jojo's "Momma's Song" alike.

But, HipHop does have songs for mother, too. Kanye West's "Hey Mama" is a great example. Black Eyed Peas' "Hey Mama", a song famous for a TV commercial of iPod, and will.i.am's "I Got It From My Mama" aren't such. The song titles are a bit misleading.

Anyways, the bottom line is, everybody loves mom.