Chinoiseries

I first listened to the opening track, "The Anthem", during my second year in High School. The combination of the orchestral strings, Vietnamese pop, percussion, and the hisses of the sample got me completly hooked. I've been listening ever since. Almost every song, always quick and leaving the listener with a taste for more, use this sort of combination in a unique way. From the somber "War", the bittersweet "Relax in Mui Ne", the playful "What up Duyet", the blissful "The Valee of Love" or the aforementioned danceable "The Anthem", each song is highly addicting and masterfully makes use of old samples of Vietnamese songs from the 70s. The backstory behind this album is that Onra went to Vietnam to see his grandparents, bought 30 old vinyl albums, and set out to make beats which captured the sprit of Vietnam. He does a masterful job, each song feels like it's from the era and the themes of the song jump from the Vietnam War to the Tomb of Le Van Duyet. All these combine to make the most unique, addicting, and dare I say inspiring Instrumental Hip Hop album ever. When I finally got some money on iTunes, and saw that proceeds go to a good cause, I had to buy the album. It's the only album I've bought besides TLOP (which was required at first). On a side note, Chinoiseries II is a decent but Chinoiseries is also amazing and you should check them out.

Every time I put this album on I have to listen to it all the way through. One of the best albums I own!

just d4nk

There's very few tracks that use actual Vietnamese songs. That's a big shame. I was hoping for the Vietnamese version of Shanghai Renovation Project. Anyways, the track titles are a bit misleading since the samples use Chinese songs. The album here is still good, just not what I was looking for.

* This album is very special, and will remain a classic in my mind forever.

These tracks need to be heard via bump.

Onra's very talented, it's easy to see. Amazing album that gives lots of energy to the listener. I realize some may take offense, but I would like to get ahold of The Anthem remix that Coke's using for the unity commercial. Anyone know anything about that?

I don't usually listen to a whole album straight through, but this was one of the few exceptions. It's a bit of a disappointment that most of these songs clock under 2 minutes (wish I could jam to them a bit longer). Just one complaint, why is Onra listed under electronic? I'm pretty sure this is real hip hop.

There is something super addictive in listening to these 32 sketches, each clocking under two minutes long. And the story behind the album is fascinating as well. Onra is a self proclaimed vinyl junkie, who goes on vacation to his grandparents’ birthplace, Saigon. Returning to France with a treasured collection of 30 records (all in poor condition), Onra sets off to layering beats on top of forgotten samples that capture the soul of Viet Nam. Chinoiseries, is a compilation of instrumental hip-hop vignettes, each offering a quick glimpse at the music from this distant land. Although a bit repetitive, too short, and lacking progression, it is the ideas and the approach behind each track that make this a brilliant composition. Still full of crackles and hiss, the raw production will inspire any crate digger to venture further out in search of exotic material. This is an essential addition to any lover of lo-fi beats (please restrain yourself from rapping). And your purchase will also go to a good cause! "All proceeds from the sale of the [CD format of the -ed.] album will be donated to ’La Goutte d’Eau’ association (www.la-goutte-deau.com) to help their humanitarian operations for Vietnamese people." Recommended if you like J Dilla, MF Doom, Madlib, RZA, Flying Lotus, and The Big Payback. Favorite tracks: The Anthem, Relax In Mui Ne, Apocalypse Now, Smoking Buddha... (OK, I’ll stop there. Otherwise I’ll end up posting entire album’s tracklist.)