The highly anticipated album, Formosan Groove (胡聲拍仔), debuted to a full house at the Taiwan Culture Center in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, October 18. Despite minimal promotion, the event drew more than 50 attendees, demonstrating strong public interest in innovative Taiwanese music.
Formosan Groove, an ambitious project that merges classic Taiwanese melodies with modern electronic and experimental arrangements, is the realization of a long-time dream for producer Shinyi Lee (a.k.a."rufusion"). Lee, who created the album to fulfill a passion first sparked in high school, aims to send a clear message: “If you have a dream, go after it,” and “anyone can produce an album.”
Lee describes the album as a celebration of fusion. The seven tracks, rooted in fusion jazz, blend modern electronic music, R&B, Latin, pop, and soul. The result, she notes, is like a “Taiwanese cabbage stew” (白菜滷), where diverse ingredients blend together seamlessly.
The event opened with remarks by Mr. Chou Ming Hung, a representative of the Taiwan Culture Center and a long-time advocate for Taiwanese cultural promotion in the U.S. He expressed pride in supporting such a groundbreaking project that bridges tradition and innovation.
The live performance, led by Lee and erhu player Chenlun Chen, featured an all-star cross-genre ensemble, including bassist Austin Cheung, MC Paris Huang, and vocalist Jesse Meng. The set list included fresh takes on classics such as “Peach Blossom” (桃花過度), “Spring Breeze” (望春風), “Harbor Farewell” (港邊惜別), and “If You Open the Window of Your Heart” (阮若打開心內門窗). The program also featured modern film songs like "Osmanthus Alley" and "Little Big Women," as well as a special, first-ever rendition of “The Moon Represents My Heart” performed in Taiwanese.
A board member in attendance remarked, “This is the first time I've encountered such a seamless fusion of Eastern and Western music. Hearing beloved Taiwanese oldies expressed in such a modern and artistic way is truly one of a kind.”
The Formosan Groove launch marks a significant step forward in introducing Taiwan's rich musical heritage to a broader global audience. Building on this momentum, the team anticipates a second album release and an expanded schedule of performances in 2026.
About Formosan Groove
Formosan Groove (胡聲拍仔) is a cultural experiment led by producer Shinyi Lee, integrating traditional Taiwanese melodies with contemporary electronic and groove-forward arrangements.
