That Pretty Mutya

This would be a very late review of Mutya Buena’s first solo album Real Girl. It is not my fault; I stumbled upon it a year too late. It is sad that there was a lack of foresight of her label’s marketing arm to promote the album in the Philippines. I believe, Mutya, just for the sole reason that she is half-Filipino, would be embraced by the Filipino music fans e.g., apl.de.ap of the Black Eyed Peas, Nicole Scherzinger of Pussycat Dolls to name a few. Yes, Filipinos could be weirdly loyal that way.

Anyways, Mutya Buena, formerly one-third of the Brit pop girl group Sugababes released thirteen tracks in her Real Girl album in June of 2007. Sugababes is the only girl group I admire because their music is unique and their act makes sense. Mutya has brought a lot of this no fear, no nonsense attitude into the group with her soul-soothing voice and beckoning, mysterious beauty. It was appropriate to name her album Real Girl and continue this legacy although this time with more of her personality.

The album is dance, soul and R&B. The first single off the album is Real Girl. It is distinguishable with the intro starting off with the unmistakable intro from Lenny Kravitz song Ain’t over ‘til Its Over. Lenny Kravitz co-wrote the song and it landed at the UK Singles Chart at Number 2. Aside from the collaboration with Kravitz, Mutya also did a single with Amy Winehouse, B Boy Baby. Winehouse does the chorus off a 1960s song by The Ronettes, Be My Baby while Mutya sings the verses. She also sang with George Michael in This is Not Love.

just a little sketch i made

One of my favorites in the album is the dance song called Song for Mutya (Out of Control), collaboration with the dance duo Groove Amada. It’s a fun, dance song although I was a bit disappointed with the music video, it was somewhat a little too unimaginative for a song that has a real potential.

You should also listen to the song Strung Out which starts out with a piano solo and is progressing dramatically. Well, that’s mostly because I can relate to the song these days and maybe some would do too... strung out/ you are wasting all our love away/ I’m running out of words to say... =( Other music player worthy are Not Your Baby and Wonderful.

( My ) Sexy, Edgy, Tough Audi R8

While exchanging a very long email with a friend we got into topics about cars. I like cars but him, well he is so crazy about them. He said and I quote " It's just everything about it... the exotic cars and the sounds of the engines". It sounded like we were talking about women to me. Hahaha. He asked me what car do I like and said that he knows that it was a tough question to ask a lady.Not tough at all, Audi R8 in Electric Blue. I like to describe my future (hopefully) car as Sexy but Tough. Does that sound a woman again? :D

Like everything else I look for when I want something, I prefer a balance sensibility and style. And I think I fell in love with R8 because it is that. Audi R8 is reviewed to compete with other thoroughbred sports car as Maserati GranTurismo, Porsche 911 Turbo, the Aston Martin V8 and Corvette Z06. These exotics are engineered to give that power steering feel in the racetrack, but Audi R8 opted to be in the middle ground as a sports car of rigid, aluminum body and magneto-rheological dampers that gives that comfort and smooth ride in everyday drive. It sells at whopping $115,000 but still way cheaper than those above mentioned.

Some of the features worth putting your money on are:

(1)Acceleration of 60 mph in 4.4 second and a top speed of 187 mph
(2)Magneto-rheological dampers for everyday comfort driving
(3)All-Quattro wheel drive with six-speed manual or R-tronic Transmission
(4)Sexy styling and an edgy attitude
My sports car enthusiasts friend loves Lamborghini LP640 but he said he is falling in-love with Koenigsegg CCXR too when he saw one near his office building. Well I guess there are numerous beautiful cars to choose from out there, and if you have the money and if it makes you happy, by all means get yourself one. As for me, I will have to figure out how to have my own Audi R8 (donations are welcome, haha).

Koenigsegg CCXR photo courtesy of Cokes

Strawberry Bavarian Recipe

Ingredients
Strawberries 250 grams
Skim milk
unflavored gelatine powder
sugar and vanilla essense

How to Do it
In a cup, pour gelatine powder add small amount of cold water to dissolve the gelatine then add hot water
add sugar and vanilla essense and chill until syrupy
in a bowl, crush strawberries
add crushed strawberries to the gelatine syrup
chill skim milk, whip until stiff
fold milk into strawberry mixture
serve in a dessert glass