All music are available in all major online platforms (iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Tidal, etc.)
FOLLOW ME
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It started as a simple tune and chord progression in my mind that I expressed through guitar as back then I didn't play ukulele. I then added the chorus after trying some interesting chord progression.
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One day had a change to play my original composition at the Concourse Esplanade, the idea of having the intro came in last minute. There was an idea came to play some cheerful groovy melody line with some simple chord progression and I tried to communicate this with my band mates. One of them asked me to explain again in which I replied, "Just follow me". I found that it's gonna be a nice title for the composition (initially it had different title which I forgot what was it).
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Since then I always use the "intro" as the part to set the mood of the composition. Overal it's got a cheerful, "tropical & breezy" Calypso feel that set a good mood to the listeners.
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When I ponder the phrase "Follow Me" deeper, it reminds me to a story of divine transformation. In the gospel of Matthew 9:9 Jesus said to Matthew, a tax collector, a despised Jewish man who worked for the Roman to tax his fellow Jewish. This divine call & encounter changed his life forever.
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Here's "Follow Me" as solo ukulele version - available on all major digital platforms.
I played Ohana Ukulele, art work at Montigo Resort, Batam, Indonesia. Sandals & Tilo soft toy are Montigo's property.
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In case you wonder how I played the additional intro that sounds like Marimba or Kulintang, you can get the trick from this video : https://youtu.be/hx6Leroo9bU (please subscribe for more videos)
SINGAPORE RIVER
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Indonesia has Bengawan Solo river which inspired late legendary composer Mr Gesang to write a beautiful legendary song about it, "Bengawan Solo" song which is internationally popular.
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For some reason there's something about river that indeed inspires us. I was inspired by the majestic Singapore River and wrote a composition about it back then when I was still in LASALLE College of the Arts as part of some music project.
As Singapore is a melting pot of many cultures (East meets West), I infused some Chinese pentatonic elements (guzheng inspired) on my guitar for this Smooth Jazz number.
I picture the intro part as the the litle waves of the river that splash onto the river bank, here is the part I used Chinese pentatonic scale a lot. If you were there sitting by the river you will find it relaxing observing the river wave that sometimes triggered by the passing boat.
As you notice the surrounding further as you stroll along, you'll enjoy the atmosphere there too, so majestic, elegant, sweet, beautiful...you just want to stay there a little longer, perhaps in a cafe. That's the chill feeling I want to depict in the song.
I'm sure Singapore river has been inspiring you in one way or another. Feel free to share your experience of Singapore river here while you let Singapore River soothe you.
SLIDE SLIGHTLY​
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It's an easy listening, lighthearted Smooth Jazz instrument that has simple yet sweet melody within some complex chord progressions that involve many key centers.
This composition depicts some one's carefree act in a busy world. Imagine a contented guy took his time riding his bike in a busy fast-paced city. He was cruising slowly enjoying the surrounding, observing the city noise, watching people's rush while, car's horn's everywhere & some even's towards him, he needed to manoeuvre his bike & had some jammed brake, but he himself's so relax. He was just carefree & minded his own business, even there were some people were impatient toward him as this seemingly slow gentleman had different pace from the rest.
It's pretty much like our life, look at what happen in this world. There're many noise outside us, so many informations, so many opportunities & possibilities that might made us take up so many unbearable responsibilities, and so on.
I think it's the time to simplify our life. We might have different rhythm of life from the norm, but one thing we need to do is to guard our own heart, not the outside situation affect our peace & joy in the inside.
Let the divine life guide us from inside out, we need to trust the divine person, let go & let Him take control There's always some "slides" slightly beyond our control, but relax...you still can be in control of yourself.
THE FIRST NOEL
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This classic Christmas Carol is about the first Christmas, the night when Jesus Christ was born. This solo ukulele version is Bluesy.
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A prophecy in Isaiah 7:14, "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel" was fullfiled when Jesus was born.
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John 1:1 "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
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John 1:14 "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
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It's an important event in the history of salvation of mankind.
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2 Corhintians 5:19-21 "that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him
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