One of my greatest fat-free, guilt indulgence is listening to the ear-friendly cover version over the monsoon, unpredictable weather. Hope it shall give us a new level of understanding and appreciation. Let me turn up a few good ones and share them ...
1. Sway – Rosemary Clooney & Perez PradoBecause it becomes the opening theme of Repo Men – a futuristic thriller flick by Jude Law. Original mambo at its best!
2. I Want You – Madonna & Massive AttackA soulful signature Motown-ish tune turns into a semi-noir composition and still retain a hauntingly seduceful vocal. Marvin still approves. Guaranteed.3. La Vie en Rose – Pascal of Bollywood 
This timeless repertoire reinterpreted and revisited with a dish of Indian flavor. Imagine tandoori and curry fine dining in the stylish Cafe de Flore. Melting pot should sound like this!
4. Aksi Kucing – White Shoes & The Couples Company 
Dear Warung Shanghai Blues .... this should be your in-house anthem!
5. C’est Magnifica – Kay Starr 
What’s not to like Cole Porter simplicity yet majesty-honesty-reality: “When love comes in and take you for a spin o la la c’est magnifica .... When every night your love want hold you tight o la la c’est magnifica .... But when one day your love want drifts away o la la well it’s so tragica ... But when once more he whispered j’tadore c’est magnifica
6. I’m In The Mood for Love – Jamiroquai 
Jay Kay flexes his acid jazz modus operandi into a sun-drenched, up-lifting reggae arrangement.
7. Cry Me A River – Dinah Washington 
Because the swingin’ Miss D delivers it from the heart.
8. It’s Only A Paper Moon – James Taylor 
Easy and classy. Full moon panorama is only an optional.
9. That’s All - Eliane Ellias 
São Paulo-born, Manhattan-based pianist Eliane Elias performs this brush-stroked ballad and gonna touch the inner you. Elias’ pretty pianisms complement her breathy Portuguese/English contralto. Dear Oom Peter Gontha, please bring her back next year at Java Jazz Festival stage.
10. Wishing on a Star – Paul Weller
A standard, strictly female “longin’ for lover come-back tune” becomes surprisingly and refreshingly masculine ... thanks Paul!
11. Over The Rainbow – Melody Gardot 
The story of how Melody Gardot overcame the effects of a near-fatal accident to become one of the vocal sensations of 2008 is not the most extraordinary thing about the 23-year-old Philadelphia singer-songwriter. It is simply that here is a voice in a million; one that touches the soul. It would take a heart of stone to remain unmoved by the poignant classic, an irresistible, Brazilian take on Somewhere Over The Rainbow. And when the song is over, the Melody lingers on . . .
12. Mercy Mercy Me (Ten Piedad de Mi) – Ottmar Liebert 
His ability to take a melody, weave a fine tapestry and time seems to stand still...13. Nobody Does It Better – Radiohead 
One of the coolest song ever - being twisted and inspire the listener to be uplifted and reflective in equal measure.
Once upon a couch-potato time. You are watching your fave sappy soapy opera or docu-over-the-top-real-life-drama on tv.What do you do when commercial break? Surfing the neighboring channel might be okay but please take the most of 5 minutes hiatus and be full alert to view what’s going on (Note : you gotta be open and release the knowledge in order to come to a higher understanding of reality).
Commercial reigns! May the infectious message they want to convey get into your state of mind. Countless product screaming in fashionably, creatively, out-of-the-box manner: “Notice Me”; I’m better than others”; “Using me and you’ll be drop dead georgeous”...begging and nagging your attention. Brand has a soul–so does the ambassador that becomes the spoke person for the good cause of that product she/he endorses.
Unfortunately, we sense and see a dismay distortion since observing the mismatch personality blends – between the brand and the ambassador - and keeps repeatedly over and over. 1. No offense to Sonia Wibisono – she’s a femme fatale, dress to kill and naturally born to 
defend the likes of Tatler and highly doses of socialite publication – not the generic, available-everywhere medicine, cheapo rice cooker – you name and count the product she fervently hard sells. 2. Queen of domestic kitchen, Farah Quinn; please slow your pace a while. Mom and 
housewife desperately want to look like you. Male watchers are keen and have sinful-delightful-indulgence watching your show. Try to carefully select the various product that being offered to you. Nough said before you are too soo overly-exposed. 3. Young at heart heroine Agnes Monica also rules the kingdom of commercial. Snack, biscuit,
phone operator, liquid cleaner, washing detergent, cloth softener, handphone are well...her major concentration and yeahh... predictable boring. Make a dramatic move Agnezmo! Exchange and explore different option – anybody could suggest a better, distinct role for Ms.A? 4. Have you ever noticed, her famous, catchy-signature line “Good job, I like it” made 
newly-weds Rianti Cartwright utilizes the sentence for assorted products she signs on? C’mon brand director be a lil’ smart --- it’s a big yes for one, same person using it – repeating it – chanting it exclusively for your solely product only and not others. 5. Everybody loves Baim! The boy wonder who steal our heart away with his chubby cheek, 
reddish lips and that big cutey eyes. From one “sinetron” to countless commercials. At first it was okay, but when one cellular provider using him as an endorser (and slightly outshine their previous ambassador, Yuni Shara’s boy-toy) it becomes...eerrk! It’s a little bit desperate to me. Using child as the main talent for non-child product? Like Baim’s famous line of praying “Ya Allah...tolong brand kami biar kelihatan banyak duit, mampu bayar seleb mana aja yang lagi ngehits dan bikin provider lain ngiri ya, Allah”
6. The Diva of falling in-out of love, Titi DJ, is one of the lucky celebrities. Her numerous 
romance with public figures not once shatterd her image. We all still love and adore her performance. Her vibrant personality can light up the room. You could have all night long girl’s talk over Margarita and chick-flick marathon. But not over washing clothes and talk about dirty laundry (in litteral meaning). I know she’s a mom of four but her image never been a “Bree Hodge” type of mom. She’s more like the “Gabrielle Solis”, well-polish and we didn’t care a bit how she did the laundry with that Jimmy Choo’s heels!7. Former member of Club 80’s , Desta is a firecracker! Typical class-clown, always 
entertaining and burst the whole class with laughter. Even rolling on the floor, laughing of course. When one private bank contract him as it ambassador, we’re not laughing. Yet, we kinda question the bank’s credibility. Perhaps they want to portray “a friendly, young, casual image” but it went far too light and we end up not buying it. Come on Desta! You could sell us a bag of potato chips full of MSG but don’t preaching about saving and interest. That’s why we have Safir Senduk and Ligwina Hananto.
