Tijuana Taxi, Classical Gas, Soul Bossa Nova: these tracks topped the charts more than 50 years ago, and yet you could probably still hum these instrumental classics. With their eponymous debut album, Ginger Beef aims to revive this almost-defunct instrumental pop genre. "If the goal of music is to stir emotions, then lyrics are cheating," says MSG (aka Warren Tse), producer and member of the duo Ginger Beef. His argument for the album: "Classical music and film scores prove that you don't need words to touch listeners and evoke emotions. Why not do the same with pop?" In 2021, flautist Jiajia Li was invited to create a music video for the Sled Island Camp event in Calgary. She ended up collaborating with the multi-instrumentalist, producer, and Calgary Flames organist, who happened to live under her roof (she is married to MSG), to concoct "Flashback," an energetic track with anachronistic synths, slap bass, and traditional Chinese elements—without vocals. Unexpectedly, this unique track piqued the public's interest, giving a decisive boost to Ginger Beef's success. Encouraged by the warm reception to their first and only track, the couple composed new songs, collaborated with leading figures in the local R&B and gospel scene, and thrilled Calgary audiences with their explosive live performances. Faced with their new fans' enthusiasm for a recording, Li and MSG locked themselves in their basement studio and meticulously created Ginger Beef's debut album. They ordered a small run of CDs and self-released it. To their great surprise and delight, their home-recorded debut album was immediately critically acclaimed and nominated for Juno awards. This recognition confirmed that the album deserved distribution and visibility far beyond what they could hope for with their limited resources. Now signed to Providence-based label Ba Da Bing Records, Ginger Beef is set to release their eagerly anticipated album in a brand-new vinyl reissue!
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