Swing (Hong Kong group)

Swing is Eric Kwok and Jerald Chan.

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Swing is Eric Kwok and Jerald Chan.

First period (1999-2002)

Eric always set composer, arranger and producer all in himself. In order to learn the skills of produce in his debut period, Eric decided to be a singer, but he didn't want solo, so he teamed up "Snowman" with Jerald Chan(Chen Zhe Lu) under EMI. They released the first EP "Snowman" in 1999 with co-supervise. Famous musician Danny Chung as their vocal producer. Eric learned how to act as vocal producer just from him. After that "Snowman" produced all their own albums, began to produce songs for other singers, the fist song is Gigi Leung's "I like".

In 2000, "Snowman" signed with EEG's Music Plus, changed name to "Swing". They released totally 4 albums(the final one is Best Collection), won numerous music awards. "Swing" separated in 2002, Eric staied in EEG and worked in backstage.

Second around (2009-)

After 7 years, Swing reunited and has released the 1st single (我有貨) onto the radio Jun 10. For the past 3 months, Eric and Jerald have been working on the new album. The 1st new album in 8 years, Wudang, is set to be released on Aug 21.

"Unlike before, where we'll each compose a song individually in our Swing albums, this time, for the first time, we're composing every song together." says Eric, "Also, this will retain all the "Swing" elements, where i'm more POP and Jerald more funky and jazzy."

Pris de/Taken from: Le Groupe Swing.com.

Swing indisputably has you swinging, dancing and stomping your feet as soon as you can hear the very first bars of technotrad which bring back the good old kitchen partys of yesteryear. La vie comme ça, where sampling and scratching are combined to the fiddle and the mandolin, make for a remarkable mix.

A postmodern technotrad jam session

Explosive mix of infectious rhythms and of rigodon rhymes, their music shatters conventions and conjugates the familiar sound of traditional celebrations in the present tense. The result is fresh, energetic and young... many times over! This playful interpretation of good old folk music accompanied by urban rhythms renders the music of our ancestors contemporary, instantly creating the impression that the singer and excellent dancer, Michel Bénac and the fiddle and multiple instrument player, Jean-Philippe Goulet are there with you and will have you swinging through the night.

SwingThe Genesis of Swingmania

Swing took the world by surprise in 1999 with the song La chanson s@crée, the first album from Michel Bénac and Bobby Lalonde (Garolou), featuring the now mythical Un bon matin and Vasectomie de la vie. In this album, Bobby favoured traditional music whereas Michel is more particularly interested in American pop (hip-hop and techno). Entirely composed of original material, the album presents ten or so titles, each livelier than the next, sometimes inspired by purely traditional music. The clip titled Ça va brasser was broadcast by Musique Plus for quite some time. Several cuts from the album were played by various radio stations throughout the country, some having even reached the top of the charts.

In 2001, Swing is the overall winner at the very first Gala de la chanson et de la musique franco ontariennes, with no less than four Trille Or Awards: Best song (Un bon matin), Best new performer, Best Concert Performance and Best Producer.

In 2002, Swing is nominated for a Gemini Award (Best performance or Guest in a variety program or series) for their participation in the spotlight show Thrill on the Hill, broadcast live across Canada from Parliament Hill on July 1st, 2001.

SwingNew way to go for a renewed Swing

Four years later, the group has evolved: Bobby Lalonde hands the bow over to Jean-Philippe Goulet in the framework of an electrifying show held in June 2002, which ends with the now quite famous last words: -"Ça va brasser!" (We're going to rock the house!). The complicity between Bénac and Goulet is instantaneous, their synergy ignites sparks and the group's bubbling creativity is stronger than ever. The new, revitalized Swing gives performances and rocks the house at the Festival franco ontarien and at the Festival acadien de Caraquet (both these shows are recorded by the SRC (French CBC).

In the spring of 2003, a second album, titled La vie comme ça, is released. The first cut takes an enviable position in radio stations across Canada. "Édith" will have many dancing throughout the summer of 2003. The album's title song La vie comme ça is played by radio stations in the fall. The album is just as successful as the first. This is followed by the group's participation in shows such as Le Garage, Belle et Bum, Palmarès as well as the Telethon for research into children's diseases.

SwingThe year 2004 starts off on the right foot. Swing records 2 songs on chansons sur l'album compilation of the 50th anniversary of the Québec Carnival, including the title piece: Carnaval, mardi gras, Carnaval. A show is held on February 6, during the carnival and by popular demand, Swing will take part in the closing show. In March of 2004, the adventure continues with a tour of Eastern Europe. Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania get acquainted with this joyous duo. Back in Canada on June 24, the group is invited to launch the festivities of the Quebecers' Fête nationale in Montréal at parc Maisonneuve. Giving a one-hour performance to warm up the crowd estimated at over 100,000, the group also performed one of their songs during the main show, which was televised. The summer of 2004 is marked by more than thirty shows throughout the country. "Au nom du père et du fils et du set carré", a new cut from the album, is released to the radio stations and is accompanied by a videoclip directed by François Blouin, known for his work with Daniel Boucher and Arianne Mofat, among others…

It is a rejuvenated Swing, a group that has gathered speed and scope, that takes the music scene around the world by storm. Evidently, Swing is truly burning with zeal.

Swing is...

Michel Bénac (23 • 06)

With a passion for hip-hop and techno, this young singer/arranger/songwriter from Vanier (Ontario) started his career as a recording artist at a very young age. Having founded the group Michael B. and the Power while formally studying piano and voice, he continued his singing career with the acappella group SAIJ (www.saij.net.).

With the assistance of Gilles Godard in Nashville (Tennessee), Michel Benac recorded his first album intended only for promotional use. At that same point he also created his own record label, Purple Hive Music Group, and produced "Let me be the one" which received many accolades throughout Canada.

Les Disques Dance Plant (Montréal) produced his second album, Why do things change?, a solo effort this time. Michel then embarked on a promotional tour in Brasil and Austria, earning him a very successful reputation that has since sent his music into Indonesia and the Phillipines. And this was just a start. Winning the "Cerbul de aur" prize at an international contest in Romania, he also brought back an American Guild of Music prize for the Best Performer, in Detroit.

In 1998, Michel Benac co-founded the group Swing. One year later, he released their first techno-trad inspired CD, La chanson s@crée, along with the eye-catching video, Ca va brasser. In the spring of 2003, Swing released a second CD, La vie comme ca, that continues to gain much success.

Jean-Philippe Goulet (19 • 03)

Originally from Rimouski, this talented musician was trained in many types of music. His musical vocabulary spans from classic to heavy metal influences, with pop, country, rock and experimental jazz all mixed in together.

A member of the rock group Indisicipline, this experience permitted him to learn and to explore a new artistic universe. With his fellow musicians, Jean-Philippe Goulet released two CDs, A non obvious ride and Vixit, whose releases spilled into the United States. Over the last ten years, Jean-Philippe has participated at many festivals and has performed at a multitude of concerts. He is also obsessed with trying out different instruments, keyboards, percussion and voice techniques.

As a musical arranger for various theatrical productions, Jean-Philippe has recently collaborated on the new album by Patrick Prevost as well as the experimental jazz album, Blame: Mascot by Wittox O'Hara.

As for his interest in country music, Jean-Philippe Goulet has always flirted with instruments like the bass and the violin. Swing offers him the occasion to exploit his interests in folk music and to transform his thoughts into art. His theory background also permits him to draw on traditional recordings, to listen to his many violin influences and to study the masters in order to decipher the common structures and give them a new life in the new sound of folk in the new millennium.

www.legroupeswing.com

Sugar
Swing Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I’m overdue for a new obsession
I’m just trying, trying to get close to you
If you are, then so am I
And if I am, I am then you better be

It’s the tearing of the flesh
Aching of the bone, got me drop dead stoned
Severe loss of blood

Chills down the spine
It’s the end of the line

You strike me like sugar hits the tongue
Just a taste and you know you’re done
Calling out to you baby
As sweet temptation runs down my lip
A cut of the skin will never sink a ship
Still calling out to you baby

Lead me on and on and I’ll lead you astray
Take me down or I’ll take you out

Show me your never ending nothingness
And I’ll show you what, what it means to scream

Overall Meaning

In the opening lines of Sugar by Swing, the singer is expressing a desire for a new obsession. They want to get closer to someone (presumably a love interest) and they're open about it. The use of the word “overdue” suggests that the singer has been idling, waiting for something exciting to come along or someone to catch their attention. The second stanza of the song uses graphic and violent imagery to describe the effect that this person has on the singer. The reference to “tearing of the flesh” and “aching of the bone” gives the impression of physical pain and intense longing. The line “It’s the end of the line” suggests that the singer has reached a point of no return and is willing to do anything to get closer to the person they desire.

In the chorus of Sugar, the singer compares the effect of this person's presence to sugar hitting the tongue. It's sweet and addictive, even in small amounts. The singer is aware of the effect that this person has on them and knows that they're playing with fire but they can't help themselves. They're tempted and want to give in to their desires. The line “A cut of the skin will never sink a ship” suggests that the singer is willing to take risks and potentially suffer harm (like a ship taking damage) in pursuit of their goal. The final stanza reinforces the intensity of the singer's longing for this person. They want to be led astray and are willing to lead the way. The line “Show me your never-ending nothingness” suggests that the singer is seeking something deeper and more meaningful than just physical pleasure.

Line by Line Meaning

I’m overdue for a new obsession
I need something new to obsess over

I’m just trying, trying to get close to you
I'm attempting to get closer to you

If you are, then so am I
If you feel the same, then I do too

And if I am, I am then you better be
If I make a move, you should respond accordingly

It’s the tearing of the flesh
There's intense physical pain

Aching of the bone, got me drop dead stoned
The pain is so severe that it feels like being under the influence

Severe loss of blood
I'm losing a lot of blood

Chills down the spine
There's a physical reaction in my body

It’s the end of the line
This is the end

You strike me like sugar hits the tongue
You have an immediate and powerful effect on me

Just a taste and you know you’re done
Just a little bit of you is enough for me