Blog: Tuesday, Apr 23

(Hong Kong – Jan 2013) Hong Kong’s own Ginger Kwan unveils her debut album, Kwantum Leap, on 25 & 26 January 2013. The album features a slew of finely crafted original songs with a jazz-contemporary crossover feel. It boasts the talents of some of Hong Kong’s finest musicians, including Dan Lavelle as co-writer and guitarist, Jezrael Lucero as co-producer and keyboardist, Hong Kong’s own singer-songwriter and drummer Jun Kung on drums, and Ginger’s frequent partner in crime Cherry Jennifer Palor, to name but a few. Several internationally renowed musicians also lend their skills, including Toby Mak from Shanghai on trumpet, Hendrik Meurkens from New York on harmonica and Sergio Brandao from Brazil on bass.

Ginger was born into a musical family, but only decided to sing professionally about 10 years ago. She has become well known for her jazz and acoustic gigs on Peel Street, performances with the Saturday Night Jazz Orchestra, as well as her flamboyant soul music revues at venues such as Grappa’s, FCC and Backstage.

“Life for young people is tough; job opportunities are scarce and many are struggling to find their life direction,” Ginger says. Having endured considerable adversity and periods of being lost in her life, she decided to compose songs for her debut album that would speak to those who are going through what she went through and give them strength, hope and inspiration.

Hence the songs on Kwantum Leap tap into a vein of creative positivity, and the titles reflect the themes and emotions that have guided her. She says, “Kwantum Leap came about because lyrically a lot of the songs are based on my life experiences and changes,

and I wanted to put the message across that they bring hope rather than pain by turning poison into medicine. Plus, musically, I’m stepping out of my comfort zone and doing original music, because I’ve been doing covers for the last 10 years... so it is a big leap!”

The song titles testify to Ginger's buoyant outlook. The album kicks off with a manifesto of sorts, the horn-drenched, uplifting swing of Believe In Yourself. Other paeans to positivity include We Will Find a Way, Miles and Miles Of Sunshine and Someday. There is also one specially chosen cover song on the album, Simply Red’s Your Mirror, which shares many of Ginger’s lyrical motifs.

As a highly significant personal project, the album should delight Ginger’s fans. It will also

undoubtedly help her to reach a wider audience in the region, and to this end it features an extra Mandarin version of one of the songs, With You. Meanwhile the singer is already focusing on channelling her visual ideas into a promotional video. In these troubled times, we hope Kwantum Leap and the artistry with which its message of optimism is conveyed will strike a chord with listeners of all creeds.

Available on iTunes:-

https://itunes.apple.com/hk/album/kwantum-leap/id630723659

CDs can be purchased online on:-

http://www.gingerkwan.com/