''Remembering Leslie'' (also stylised as ''REMEMBERING Leslie'') is a

compilation album A compilation album comprises Album#Tracks, tracks, which may be previously released or unreleased, usually from several separate recordings by either one Performing arts#Performers, performer or by several performers. If the recordings are from ...

released by

Universal Music Hong Kong Universal Music Group N.V. (often abbreviated as UMG and referred to as Universal Music Group or Universal Music) is a Dutch– American multinational music corporation under Dutch law. UMG's corporate headquarters are located in Hilversum, ...

in March 2023, as part of the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of

Leslie Cheung Leslie Cheung Kwok-wing (born Cheung Fat-chung; 12 September 1956 – 1 April 2003) was a Hong Kong singer and actor. One of the most influential cultural icons in the Sinophone, Sinophone world, Cheung was known for his debonair demeanor, flamb ...

's passing. The album featured emerging

Cantopop Cantopop (a contraction of "Cantonese pop music") is a genre of pop music sung in Cantonese. Cantopop is also used to refer to the cultural context of its production and consumption. The genre began in the 1970s and became associated with Hon ...

artists interpreting Cheung's classic songs. Commercially, it reached number two on the Hong Kong Record Merchants Association's "Best-selling albums" chart. The release was accompanied by pre-release singles and a live concert titled Reminiscing Leslie Live.

Background and production

In 2023, the world commemorated the 20th anniversary of

's passing in 2003. Cheung was known as a "cultural icon" in both

music Music is the arrangement of sound to create some combination of Musical form, form, harmony, melody, rhythm, or otherwise Musical expression, expressive content. Music is generally agreed to be a cultural universal that is present in all hum ...

and

films A film, also known as a movie or motion picture, is a work of Visual arts, visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, emotions, or atmosphere through the use of moving images that are gen ...

during his time. In January,

, the record label to which Cheung signed in 1999, announced their plan to release two special albums as a tribute. One of these albums, titled ''Remembering Leslie'', would showcase new interpretations of Cheung's classic songs performed by emerging

artists from different record labels.English Translation.
/ref> Deemed as a challenge for the young artists,

Eric Kwok Eric Kwok Wai-leung (born 3 February 1974) is a Hong Kong Cantopop music producer, composer, singer, and actor. Life and career Eric Kwok was born on 3 February 1974, in Hong Kong. He moved to the United States at the age of 13 and later gra ...

, the primary producer, however, expressed the task was relatively manageable, as the melodies of Cheung's classics were generally not overly intricate, allowing ample breathing space and easy memorization. The difficulty resided more in the scheduling conflicts, as the album recording process had to be completed within a three-week timeframe.English Translation.
/ref> The development of album cover design started as early as October or November 2022. It incorporates portrait

sculptures Sculpture is the branch of the visual arts that operates in three dimensions. Sculpture is the three-dimensional art work which is physically presented in the dimensions of height, width and depth. It is one of the plastic arts. Durable sc ...

as visual elements, intending to evoke a sense of sacredness and reverence that can resonate across generations.

Release and composition

The digital version of the album was released on various streaming platforms on March 24, 2023, followed by the physical album release on March 31, 2023. As part of the album promotion, several tracks were unveiled as pre-release singles. "An Affair", features rap lyrics written and performed by

Anson Lo Anson Lo Hon-ting (; born 7 July 1995) is a Hong Kong singer, dancer and actor. In 2018, Anson Lo made his debut as a member of the Hong Kong boy group Mirror. Anson Lo made his solo debut in February 2020 with his first single "A Lifelong Mis ...

, was released on January 20. The lyrics describe a mindset of seeking pleasure and indulging in extramarital affairs without harboring any hope for love. The second single, "Awareness", performed by

Mike Tsang Mike Tsang Pei-tak (; born 7 November 1993), better known simply as Mike, is a Hong Kong singer, who burst onto the music scene when his debut single "I Am Not Even" (我不如) topped three of Hong Kong's five broadcaster music charts in ...

and released on February 10, embraces a contemporary electronic style. The lyrics describe the protagonist in a moment of reflective tranquility, and being away from the hustle and bustle of life. The third single, "Addicted Beauty", sung by Jasmine Yam and released on February 17, deliberately infuses elements of

rock Rock most often refers to: * Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids * Rock music, a genre of popular music Rock or Rocks may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wale ...

to highlight both the explosive and gentle facets of Yam's vocals. Lyrically, the song depicts the heroine's infatuation with her lover, using metaphors that liken the lover's beauty to a poisonous snake, illustrating the intense and entangled nature of their relationship. The fourth single, "My Life", performed by Gigi Yim and released on February 24, illustrates the heroine's numerous tribulations of love, expressing appreciation and gratitude for encountering true love. Clarence Hui, the songwriter, personally commented on Yim's performance, praising her "honest...simple approach that still emoti ally moves the wheel of time". The dance track titled "Miss You Much", performed by the girl group XiX, was also released on February 24. Initially adapted from

Janet Jackson Janet Damita Jo Jackson (born May 16, 1966) is an American singer, songwriter, actress and dancer. She is noted for her innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows. Her sound and choreogr ...

's song of the same name (1989), this rendition was noted for incorporating "new groove elements" and showcasing rap lyrics contributed by the girl group members. The final single, titled "Chase", performed by

Keung To Keung To ( Chinese: ; born 30 April 1999) is a Hong Kong singer, actor, and a member of the Hong Kong boy band group Mirror. He rose to fame after winning ViuTV's reality talent competition ''Good Night Show - King Maker'' in 2018. Keung made ...

and released on March 16, maintains the original and authentic essence of the classic song despite its new music arrangement, avoiding additional elements like Rap. The lyrics portray a protagonist who, having pursued fame and fortune, comes to the realization that love is the utmost priority in life after encountering his soulmate. Other tracks include "Monica", which features an arrangement characterized by an "energetic and down-to-earth" band sound. The lyrics delve into the protagonist's memories and regrets following the breakup with their lover. "Stand Up" carries a blend of rock and electronic beats. "Stop Fooling Around" incorporates

brass Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, in proportions which can be varied to achieve different colours and mechanical, electrical, acoustic and chemical properties, but copper typically has the larger proportion, generally copper and zinc. I ...

instrumentation in its arrangement and was described to evoke a "sensual vibe conveying a brief encounter between lonely souls". The lyrics depict one's weariness with constantly seeking thrills and engaging in a changing partners romantic life. In contrast to its original romantic ballad, "A Man of Intention" presents a "cute and dynamic" revamped version. "Countdown with You" embraces elements of EDM in its composition, with lyrics welcoming and counting down to the end of the world. "Greatest Heat" tackles the theme of passionate and intense love with a "soulful and rhythmical" approach.

Promotion and reception

On March 3, 2023,

and Jasmine Yam held a

busking Street performance or busking is the act of performing in public places for gratuity, gratuities. In many countries, the rewards are generally in the form of money but other gratuities such as food, drink or gifts may be given. Street performa ...

session in

Causeway Bay Causeway Bay is list of buildings, sites and areas in Hong Kong, an area and Victoria Park, Hong Kong, a bay on Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong, straddling the border of the Eastern District, Hong Kong, Eastern and the Wan Chai District, Wan Chai ...

, performing live version of their cover songs. On April 1, 2023, Universal Music organized a live concert titled Reminiscing Leslie Live at the

Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) is one of the two major convention and exhibition venues in Hong Kong, along with AsiaWorld–Expo. It is located in Wan Chai North, Hong Kong Island. Built along the Victoria Har ...

, showcasing a lineup of artists, including a majority of those featured on the album. The album peaked at number two on Hong Kong Record Merchants Association weekly "Best-selling albums" chart, remaining in the Top Ten for six weeks.

Track listing

Personnel

Credits for ''Remembering Leslie'' adapted from AllMusic. *Apple – vocals *Kira Chan – vocals *

– composer *David Chow – producer *Jacky Chui – arranger *Terry Chui – arranger, producer *Dez Yu – vocals *

Error An error (from the Latin , meaning 'to wander'Oxford English Dictionary, s.v. “error (n.), Etymology,” September 2023, .) is an inaccurate or incorrect action, thought, or judgement. In statistics, "error" refers to the difference between t ...

– vocals * Gigi Yim – vocals *Tin Hang – arranger *Jimmy Harris – composer *XiX – vocals *Liang Yong Jing – arranger *JNYBeatz – arranger, producer, vocals *Kerryta – vocals *C.Y. Kong – composer *Jun Kung – arranger *

– producer *Dick Lee – composer *Leonaka – arranger * Terry Lewis – composer *Cong Li – arranger *

– vocals *One Promise – vocals * P1X3L – vocals *Rock Hill Street – arranger, producer, vocals *Rick Springfield – composer *Koji Tamaki – composer *Shinji Tanimura – composer *Keung To – vocals *Gary Tong – composer *

– vocals * Louise Wong – vocals *Nick Wong – arranger *Jasmine Yam – vocals *Xu Yuan – composer *Yuta – vocals *Zi Jian Zhang – arranger

Charts

Weekly charts

Release history

References

External links

*{{AllMusic, class=album, id=remembering-leslie-mw0004000290, label=Remembering Leslie 2023 albums Cantopop_albums