He Is Hanjin
Hanjin Tan
This disc of demos by Hong Kong-based Singapore singer-songwriter Hanjin Tan gives listeners a peek into the business of putting out a CD. He observes in the liner notes that demos are meant to be a sales tool to market his melodies to record companies. Once they are sold, their buyers can freely ask for changes to be made.
It is interesting to compare the original tracks with their better-known versions recorded by other singers, such as how Jam Hsiao’s Mandarin ballad You started out life as an English song with the same title.
Even if you do not know the final versions, the album still works as a collection of a songwriter’s diverse output. It also showcases his versatility as a singer as he emotes on the ballad Till The End and sings in falsetto on the R&B track My Life.

Another Lonely December
Tai Ai-ling
Just five albums later, Taiwan’s Tai Ai-ling is rolling out her first best-of compilation.
Her hits here include the karaoke-friendly ballad Lag from Angel Wings (2008) as well as the more poppish title track off 2009’s Love Sign.
The slow-burn torch songs from her last album, Tone (2010), remain a highlight, including the title track, Close Eyes and Plus, Minus, Multiply, Divide. The collection also features six new tracks and the title number is another moving ballad about being luckless in love: “The lonely season is not just in December/The romantic snow doesn’t bring romance to my heart.”
Extreme Explosion offers something different but this hard rock/rap stomper feels out of place here.
(ST)