[flickr id=”8087304529″ thumbnail=”medium_640″ overlay=”true” size=”medium_640″ group=”” align=”none”]<Small>Taken outside the studio. Very chillax bunch of group, super friendly and definitely close to one another </small>

The only vocal harmony group in Malaysia for the last 30 years, the Solianos got their musical genes from their great father, jazz legend Alfonso Soliano. Alfonso was a revered name in the music circles in the 70s till 90s. He founded the then Orkes RTM (Radio Television Malaysia) and helped won many  awards and recognitions for Malaysia.

It wasn’t until yesterday that I got to meet them in person, and even visited their studio! Come let’s have a tour around, shall we?

The moment I got into the studio located at TTDI, I saw a wall full of signatures. I later realized that a lot of prominent artists have actually came here before, and this was a mark of how influential the Soliano’s are!

Oh and look who’s here as well? It’s Ash, and turns out he works here as well. Got Poesy to pose with this amazingly cheerful guy haha

As Poesy is the adopted Chinese sister of The Soliano’s and personal friends with the late maestro saxophonist, Salvador Guerzo, she read a testimonial in honour of in last week’s TRIBUTE TO SALVADOR GUERZO 12 & 13 October 2012 for No Black Tie‘s 14th anniversary. This is her in the studio while I’m at the console room. A real studio baby!

And this is what the studio looks like. Look at them walls – sound proof kao kao and looks like they’ve spent loads on it! But then again, that’s how the Soliano’s show that they take what they do seriously. Some things aren’t meant to be discounted – quality is of utmost importance!

PS the guy next to Poesy is none other than Wynton Soliano, who manages Solianos Sound Solutions, a place for people to jam together and make a recording. RM150/hour corporate rate, RM85 for musician rehearsals. There’s also a drum practice room at RM10/hour. Many more packages, for further info please visit the page -> Solianos Sound Solutions.

By the way I love the fact that they are in to supporting the local start up bands, hence the affordability of the rooms!

[flickr id=”8087306675″ thumbnail=”medium_640″ overlay=”true” size=”medium_640″ group=”” align=”none”]

That’s me trying to play the drums haha. Without the sticks

And that’s us being mock singers, right after The Soliano’s were having a rehearsal. You could still feel the energy in there!

I love how the outside looks damn posh as well. Don’t ask me about the bike, I don’t know why it’s there LOL. Bottomline is, the place is totally sound proof and you can expect no disturbance from other studios!

The console room! I’ve only ever seen this in movies or in Youtube, but not in real life. Maybe now I can start my singing career on YouTube…. *shy*

While I was exploring, Poesy and the others were actually listening to the mastered recording of her song. She sounded waaaaay different when she’s singing, really nice and done well! Suffice to say, a lot of people have actually bought her track as of today, and if you want one, you better ask me fast!

The legendary album itself.

Anyhow it was time to leave as it was late. And on the way out, I saw a very familiar name… Do you recognize it?

None other than Fuad Alhabshi (@Fuadkyoto) of Kyoto Protocol (@kyotoband) fame!

I really wanna thank these guys for opening up my eyes to the scene I’m not very familiar with. And of course to Poesy for inviting me to this momentous occasion.

The rest of the family members. 

Now in their fourth generation, the Solianos have its family members spread all over Malaysia and Singapore. The current team consisting of Isabella, Coni, Tristano, Rizal, Velentino and Irene, led by Salvador Guerzo performed as a band from 1979-1990 fine establishment such as the Regent Hotel, Shangri-La hotel and The Royal Selangor Club, to name a few. In recent years, they have moved their performing venues to Langkawi Datai and No Black Tie. 

Soliano’s repertoire includes jazz numbers, popular tunes, and standard music with vocal harmony being their forte. Many have compared them to Manhattan Transfer with a quintessential Malaysian flavor. Many are awed when they hear the 7-part harmony (7 voices singing harmony together) for the first time; it is the signature singing style of the Solianos that never fails to leave a strong impression on the listeners.

No Black Tie has seen 14 years of passing great musicians from all over the world, perform on their stage. The club is home to many great artists and creative celebrities in Malaysia, also where the rich, famous, talented and decadent let their hair down. To commemorate this milestone, No Black Tie recently unveiled a Fazioli piano, a fully handmade precision beauty flown in from Sacile. Evelyn (NBT owner) and her sister Meilin Hii, both talented concert pianists visited the maker Paulo Fazioli in Italy just a few weeks ago to make the purchase of this legendary piano. There are only 2 Faziolis known in Malaysia and this is the first one to be in a public performance venue.

As before, the world’s greatest pianists passing by our region will flock to NBT to perfor
m, impromptu even, where bonus performances from surprise artists often happens, where the magic of music truly exists in our very own Malaysia.

You seen one before?

Go like them on Facebook kay, they deserve our support! https://www.facebook.com/solianos/

PS – The Soliano’s were at Wynton’s studio to rehearse for the tribute for the late Salvador Guerzo in conjunction with Malaysia’s premier jazz club No Black Tie’s 14th anniversary.

The post The Soliano's – The old family of Malaysia's music history appeared first on Spinzer - Blogger, Entrepreneur, Celebrity Manager.

Since I have to focus on my fitness level this second half of the year, I thought of adding a more fun element in my regime apart from gymming at Celebrity Fitness: and that is to SWIM!

To make things even more challenging, Poesy Liang (yes, the amazing woman I got to feature at @EYEProject’s Student Leadership Symposium 2012) decided to rope me into her 1KM challenge for herself, and I thought to myself why not: the very notion of accompanying this woman braving through challenges in her life with such positivity should remind me of how blessed I am, and not to be discouraged by small problems!

“I am partially disabled and both my legs are weak due to extensive spinal surgeries to remove tumours. The residue of those battles with health left me with lost sensations in both legs. I cannot even suck in the left side of my tummy, let alone wear slippers/heels or maintain the balance when I walk at times. My reason to lose weight is not only a vain one, but to keep it light for my empty legs. When the floor is wet, I cannot tell as my feet has no grip and very often encounter falls. Also I may not always be aware of cuts, sprains, injuries or fractured toes. Some parts of my body has no temperature sensibilities either.

The miracle is that I can walk. It is also gratitude that drives me to upkeep this body of mine and live the best way possible. Eliminating all obstacles.

Hope by sharing this, you can do it for yourself too.” – Poesy Liang quotes here.

Now,  tell me if that isn’t inspiring enough for you. In any case, I thought I’d better start practising and all of a sudden, an opportunity came when I met EJ of SwimIn12.com who will ensure that I’m given proper training before 15th September 2012. On top of that, we (@Socialgrooves) and @Swimin12 thought it’ll be fun to collaborate to bring you a fun and exclusive “Swimming with the Bloggers” session! Do check out the poster below! (More details after the poster)

Yeap! As a super fun and fitness project in conjunction of the 1KM challenge, I am basically looking for only 12 Bloggers this season (more later?) to join me in the discovery of the latest technology in learning how to swim in the shortest time possible, trained by the good people at SwimIn12.com! They claim to be different in a sense that they won’t waste your time more than you should to learn how to swim, and to actually heal your fear of water should you have any, too

So don’t think too much and miss this exciting opportunity to join me in the 1KM challenge (please?) – just kidding, unless you want to of course hehe. The only requirement is for you to mention your experience into your blogposts or Twitter during your free sessions, just to be upfront with you. If you have no further questions, do register below:

Bloggers selection will be made by @Swimin12 & myself, and will be announced this coming Friday (17 August 2012) latest. Classes will start mid/end of Aug!

The post Swimming with the Bloggers 1KM challenge SwimIn12.com appeared first on Spinzer - Blogger, Entrepreneur, Celebrity Manager.

The GoMakan.com food portal which claims to be Malaysia’s Best Food Directory was just launched last night, and I was too excited to share it over my blog that I did this post almost immediately after I came back.

It’ll be followed by umpteenth of photos so if you run a 56k beeepoooobepobepooo modem then I suggest you should just go hang yourself

[flickr id=”7421615310″ thumbnail=”medium_640″ overlay=”true” size=”medium_640″ group=”” align=”none”] Debbie Chien, Poesy Liang, Matthias Gelber, Ivy and I at the launch

Anyhoo, the first thing I wanted to say is KUDOS to the guys at GoMakan.com for launching the portal in STYLE! While there was no “how to use our portal” section in their itinerary (I was told that they didn’t wanna bore their guests and leave it to them to check it themselves on their own accord, nice!) we were certainly and thoroughly entertained by the hilarious (and sexy!) Joanne Kam which went well with the unlimited number AND variety of food that was sponsored during the whole 4 hours we were there!

Of course the first thing we did was to explore the food stalls that they have INSIDE of Neverland. I mean, what a brilliant concept. Of course me being me, I was too lazy to go a few rounds so I went and took a little of everything at one go. This particular stall attracted me because they served interesting savoury bites in canapes, and it was pretty good! If I’m not wrong, they’re from D’f.i.s.h., check them out at www.dfish.com.my.

Then I tried this really unique apom balik lookalike thingie, topped with 3 different sauces – coconut, spicy chilli and onion sambal. The spicy chilli was honestly too hot for me LOL

Aaliyah (the one at Damansara Heights) made a presence as well, and served cute looking macaroons as well as lovely rolls. They were filling and had nice stuffings, four of them if I remember rightly.

While we were exploring (and Felicia munching on ice cream – nonstop!) Joanne Kam the celebrity host was entertaining the crowd with her usual hamsap antiques, which we all loved! Here’s her looking as cheeky as ever – don’t you just find her so lovable?

Felicia, Yat and Kelly joined us this evening and grabbed as many yummies as they can. The food was inexhaustable for the crowd, which is a good thing! Then of course there was the unlimited booze as well

We even had Mr Cendol providing us endless supply of Malaysia’s best known delicacy!

We waited quite a while for the Mentaiko Sushi to be prepared at Fukuharu’s stall, which was always finished! The restaurant has apparently been quite talked about lately, and why not – the food was delicious! To find out more, why not watch the video below, which I believe is produced by GoMakanTV, hosted by the beautiful Debbie.

Anyhoo there was so many stalls around but I don’t wanna put too many stuff on this blogpost, so do check my Facebook for more pics. In the meantime, Joanne ran some lucky draws and games to entertain the crowd, and it definitely did.

She started by inviting 5 guys up the stage, and even managed to embarass some of them, saying things like “Eh why you looking at me while eating the Siew Pao ah? My one is Tai Pao ok!” LOLOLOL!

Basically what they needed to do is to get blindfolded, taste the food in front of them and guess the food name as well as the vendor who created it. Poesy Liang was also called to be the contestant as you can see, her face a priceless perfection!

Another lady (I think she can be spotted at GoMakanTV’s video as well!) was up there too, and she’s another looker! Both Poesy and her stole the limelight lah haha. Joanne definitely knows how to pick well

So there goes Debbie blindfolding Poesy Liang ever so gently. Gotta love this photo right?

And what do you know – Poesy’s indomitable passion to win got her answer right, and won RM50 worth of Claypot Chicken Rice! She later passed them to me, and I know who just to bring to gomakan (hehe) thanks Poesy!

As the two ladies appear together again I can’t help but to snap a picture again. Can’t blame me right?

OK! Time to change topic! LOL. Here comes the gorgeous Wilee and Yat, who came with Andy Kho. Just in time to grab a few pictures, and to sip some good ol’ champagne of course

Some pictures taken with famous people in da house!

Obligatory group photo of us guys from @Socialgrooves with the gorgeous ladies!

Not forgetting the partner-in-crime Dennis and Evelyn aka @MissyBlurKit!

That was the end already, but some of us stayed back to watch some great performance by a Thai group. Well, there certainly was a reason why nobody moved, kan?

I just want to send my heartfelt thanks to Poesy Liang who graciously extended her VIP invitation to us at SocialGrooves.com. I first met this lady when she agreed to speak at the 1st Annual Student Leadership Symposium 2012 where she shared about her amazing life – a true survivor, and from then on we just clicked! Here’s to many, many more amazing things yet to come! *TOASTS*

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