For a budding music artist, YouTube has proven to be a very good tool. As seen by the success of musicians Colbie Caillat and Marie Digby, using the internet to market their talents has reached consciousness in a global scale.
In the local scene, there's Arnel Pineda, a longtime singer of bands who was discovered in the popular site when legendary American band Journey was looking to fill in their vacant post in handling lead vocals.
And then there's Krissy and Ericka.
Dishing out fresh music, teen sisters Regine Kristine (Krissy) and Ericka Renee Villongco (Ericka) started out early as they found support from family and friends. Once they began posting video clips of their live performances, a fan base steadily grew until finally MCA Music took notice of their remarkable talents.
Their self-titled debut album has ten tracks of both memorable original hooks and established known hits from established musicians. From the opening track "Up Up Down Down" which is their carrier single, the recognition of their vocal harmonies is already felt. The cover "Baby now that I've found you" comes after, followed by "Game of Love."
Their songwriting chops come in full display here with the songs "Hope for Humanity" and "Surf's Up", with the latter interestingly written soon after their school examinations were over, and the former created with the conviction that the "youth can make a difference".
Other cuts worth noting include The Corrs' huge single "Runaway", a rendition of "Don't Say You Love Me" which is also their personal favorite, the Marcus Davis penned "Sisters" and "Tomorrow", which was arranged by popular jazz singer Richard Poon.
Poised to become the next big thing in the music industry, Krissy and Ericka is the pop-teen duo that is surely to watch.
*
The self-titled ablum “Krissy & Ericka” under MCA Music Inc. is available in all major record bars nationwide. Tracks from the album are also available for mobile download via Globe and Smart WAP sites. To know more about Krissy & Ericka and other MCA Music artists, please visit www.getmusic.com.ph.
TRACKLIST:
1. Up Up Down Down
2. Baby Now That I Found You
3. Game Of Love
4. He’d Look My Way
5. Hope For Humanity
6. Don’t Say You Love Me
7. Surf’s Up
8. Runaway
9. Sisters
10. Tomorrow
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
Music Review: De Barge
They were one of Motown's best known acts of decades back - a group named for their shared surname, which included the brothers James, Randy, Mark and El, and their sister Bunny.
DeBarge.
With their gifted vocals, musical genius and ability to excel in known genres R&B, soul and funk music, DeBarge was able to hit a winning chord for music fans, and fittingly this latest CD gives proper tribute to the group.
Called "DeBarge - The Definitive Collection", the album boasts of 16 tracks which not only takes you back in time in the 80s to remember not only their songs but the decade in general; their music successful enough to leave a mark with the pop culture of that time.
Those who still remember popular songs from that decade will not be difficult to recall the upbeat and danceable track that is "Rhythm Of The Night." One could also remember the intimate whispers of "Time Will Reveal" which was once a favorite of local airwaves. Another warm and easy-listening ballad,"Who's Holding Donna Now", was another keeper at the FM band.
Other songs to note are the ones from El DeBarge, as his two hits as a solo artist are featured here: the melodic "Love Always" and "Who's Johnny" - an infectious and energetic track in the same vein of "Rhythm Of The Night".
"DeBarge - The Definitive Collection" is brought to you exclusively by MCA Music Inc.
TRACKLIST:
1. Rhythm of the Night - (remix)
2. Time Will Reveal
3. I Like It
4. You Wear It Well
5. Who's Holding Donna Now?
6. Stop! Don't Tease Me
7. Love Me In a Special Way
8. Dream, A
9. Talk To Me - (featuring Chico DeBarge)
10. All This Love
11. Love Always
12. Who's Johnny
13. Heart is Not So Smart, The
14. Save the Best For Me (Best of Your Lovin')
15. Dance All Night
16. Stay With Me
DeBarge.
With their gifted vocals, musical genius and ability to excel in known genres R&B, soul and funk music, DeBarge was able to hit a winning chord for music fans, and fittingly this latest CD gives proper tribute to the group.
Called "DeBarge - The Definitive Collection", the album boasts of 16 tracks which not only takes you back in time in the 80s to remember not only their songs but the decade in general; their music successful enough to leave a mark with the pop culture of that time.
Those who still remember popular songs from that decade will not be difficult to recall the upbeat and danceable track that is "Rhythm Of The Night." One could also remember the intimate whispers of "Time Will Reveal" which was once a favorite of local airwaves. Another warm and easy-listening ballad,"Who's Holding Donna Now", was another keeper at the FM band.
Other songs to note are the ones from El DeBarge, as his two hits as a solo artist are featured here: the melodic "Love Always" and "Who's Johnny" - an infectious and energetic track in the same vein of "Rhythm Of The Night".
"DeBarge - The Definitive Collection" is brought to you exclusively by MCA Music Inc.
TRACKLIST:
1. Rhythm of the Night - (remix)
2. Time Will Reveal
3. I Like It
4. You Wear It Well
5. Who's Holding Donna Now?
6. Stop! Don't Tease Me
7. Love Me In a Special Way
8. Dream, A
9. Talk To Me - (featuring Chico DeBarge)
10. All This Love
11. Love Always
12. Who's Johnny
13. Heart is Not So Smart, The
14. Save the Best For Me (Best of Your Lovin')
15. Dance All Night
16. Stay With Me
Friday, September 25, 2009
My 15 Favorite Movies
Rules: Don't take too long to think about it...15 minutes max. Fifteen films you've seen that will always stick with you. First fifteen you can recall. Tag 15 friends, including me because I'm interested in seeing what films my friends choose. (To do this, go to your Notes tab on your profile page, paste rules in a new note, cast your 15 picks, and tag people in the note -- upper right hand side.) (No particular order - just as they come to mind.)
1. Dead Poets Society ( Carpe Diem - "Sieze the Day!" )
2. Jerry Maguire ( "You complete... me" )
3. A Few Good Men ( Cruise, Moore and Nicholson. wow. )
4. Transformers - The Animated Movie ( "Til All Are One!" - astig! XD. )
5. Lord of the Rings Trilogy ( Enough said. )
6. Serendipity ( what a romantic comedy flick should be )
7. 300 ( "Prepare for Glory!!!" )
8. Star Wars ( "A long time ago, in a galaxy far away..." =) )
9. Superman ( I wanted to be like him growing up )
10. Jurassic Park ( Loved Dinosaurs as a kid. Thank you Spielberg. )
11. Independence Day ( Science fiction war against aliens felt almost real )
12. The Dark Knight ( What comic book hero adaptations should be )
13. The Matrix ( Cutting edge film as a whole )
14. Van Helsing ( Popcorn adventure ride )
15. Bruce Almighty ( comedy with a heart )
1. Dead Poets Society ( Carpe Diem - "Sieze the Day!" )
2. Jerry Maguire ( "You complete... me" )
3. A Few Good Men ( Cruise, Moore and Nicholson. wow. )
4. Transformers - The Animated Movie ( "Til All Are One!" - astig! XD. )
5. Lord of the Rings Trilogy ( Enough said. )
6. Serendipity ( what a romantic comedy flick should be )
7. 300 ( "Prepare for Glory!!!" )
8. Star Wars ( "A long time ago, in a galaxy far away..." =) )
9. Superman ( I wanted to be like him growing up )
10. Jurassic Park ( Loved Dinosaurs as a kid. Thank you Spielberg. )
11. Independence Day ( Science fiction war against aliens felt almost real )
12. The Dark Knight ( What comic book hero adaptations should be )
13. The Matrix ( Cutting edge film as a whole )
14. Van Helsing ( Popcorn adventure ride )
15. Bruce Almighty ( comedy with a heart )
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Movie Review: G.I. Joe
"Sommer’s popcorn thrill ride"
Had to admit, I gave a slight groan upon learning that another 80’s toy franchise had joined the transition to the big screen after the success of “Transformers”. I wasn’t all that excited with this “joining the bandwagon thing.”
The biggest question I asked was “Wasn’t the transition done a bit too late?” Back in the 80’s they were on top of the cartoon world and its action figures sold like hot cakes, but could the same magic carry over to today’s movie audience?
But I gave it a chance, watched it, and my question was answered.
The answer came in the guise of the guy who called the shots.
Director Stephen Sommers.
Sommers, who gave film fans movies that featured thrilling action scenes with attached storylines (The Mummy, Mummy Returns and Van Helsing) was given the challenging task of reviving an old brand into something fresh and engaging.
And pulling it off he did.
Sommers retained the names of the G.I. Joe fan favorites (unlike in Transformers) and took advantage of today’s CGI to produce a good film for both casual moviegoers and diehard fans alike.
The result is non-stop action that does not slow down in narrative pace; even the flashbacks featured explosive thrills and spills.
The highlight in the film for me as a longtime fan of the franchise was when Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow first faced off. To me this was the equivalent of Optimus Prime transforming from truck to robot mode in 2007's "Transformers". The moment both characters' swords clashed, I immediately clenched my fist in satisfaction.
"Yes!"
A sequel is in order.
And thanks to director Sommers, the G.I. Joe magic is back in full force.
FILM RATING: 3 1/2 stars (out of 5)
Had to admit, I gave a slight groan upon learning that another 80’s toy franchise had joined the transition to the big screen after the success of “Transformers”. I wasn’t all that excited with this “joining the bandwagon thing.”
The biggest question I asked was “Wasn’t the transition done a bit too late?” Back in the 80’s they were on top of the cartoon world and its action figures sold like hot cakes, but could the same magic carry over to today’s movie audience?
But I gave it a chance, watched it, and my question was answered.
The answer came in the guise of the guy who called the shots.
Director Stephen Sommers.
Sommers, who gave film fans movies that featured thrilling action scenes with attached storylines (The Mummy, Mummy Returns and Van Helsing) was given the challenging task of reviving an old brand into something fresh and engaging.
And pulling it off he did.
Sommers retained the names of the G.I. Joe fan favorites (unlike in Transformers) and took advantage of today’s CGI to produce a good film for both casual moviegoers and diehard fans alike.
The result is non-stop action that does not slow down in narrative pace; even the flashbacks featured explosive thrills and spills.
The highlight in the film for me as a longtime fan of the franchise was when Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow first faced off. To me this was the equivalent of Optimus Prime transforming from truck to robot mode in 2007's "Transformers". The moment both characters' swords clashed, I immediately clenched my fist in satisfaction.
"Yes!"
A sequel is in order.
And thanks to director Sommers, the G.I. Joe magic is back in full force.
FILM RATING: 3 1/2 stars (out of 5)
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Sergio Mendes - The Collection
Sergio Mendes - The Collection
The Brazilian music legend is back with a new release that draws material from throughout his career. Featuring the global hits "Mas Que Nada", "Night & Day", "Never Gonna Let You Go" plus hard-to-find classics like "The Fool On The Hill", "Norwegian Wood" and more.
For most of the second half of the 60's, Sergio Mendes was the top-selling Brazilian artist of the United States, charting huge hit singles and LPs that regularly made the Top Five. His records with his group Brasil `66 regularly straddled the domestic pop and international markets, getting played heavily on AM radio stations, both rock and easy listening, and he gave his label, A&M, something to offer light jazz listeners beyond the work of the company's co-founder Herb Alpert. During this period, he also became an international music star and one of the most popular musicians in South America.
This brand new collection assembles virtually all the 1960s and early `70s hits by Sergio Mendes and his various BrAzil bands, beginning with Brasil `66. While it's been done again and again and these tracks are rare on CD, this particular selection is as solid as can be with "Mais Que Nada" leading it off. Sure, most of the Beatle's covers arae here too: "Norwegian Wood", "Day Tripper" and "With A Little Help From My Friends". Also, hard-to-find classics like "The Fool On The Hill", "Scarborough Fair" and the signature speedy samba reading of "What The World Needs Now Is Love" are here.
Available in all records stores, from MCA Music Inc.
The Brazilian music legend is back with a new release that draws material from throughout his career. Featuring the global hits "Mas Que Nada", "Night & Day", "Never Gonna Let You Go" plus hard-to-find classics like "The Fool On The Hill", "Norwegian Wood" and more.
For most of the second half of the 60's, Sergio Mendes was the top-selling Brazilian artist of the United States, charting huge hit singles and LPs that regularly made the Top Five. His records with his group Brasil `66 regularly straddled the domestic pop and international markets, getting played heavily on AM radio stations, both rock and easy listening, and he gave his label, A&M, something to offer light jazz listeners beyond the work of the company's co-founder Herb Alpert. During this period, he also became an international music star and one of the most popular musicians in South America.
This brand new collection assembles virtually all the 1960s and early `70s hits by Sergio Mendes and his various BrAzil bands, beginning with Brasil `66. While it's been done again and again and these tracks are rare on CD, this particular selection is as solid as can be with "Mais Que Nada" leading it off. Sure, most of the Beatle's covers arae here too: "Norwegian Wood", "Day Tripper" and "With A Little Help From My Friends". Also, hard-to-find classics like "The Fool On The Hill", "Scarborough Fair" and the signature speedy samba reading of "What The World Needs Now Is Love" are here.
Available in all records stores, from MCA Music Inc.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Music Review; Taylor Swift - Fearless
Shakespeare might have changed the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet into a happy ending if he had heard Taylor Swift’s Love Story during his time. Especially if he realizes how easily Taylor Swift can touch the hearts of many with her phenomenal songs.
In the Philippines, her first single off her debut album, Fearless, entitled Love Story is glued to the charts! Positions include being #1 for months now in most video and radio charts. With dozens of fans from all over the country hailing her beauty, music, and talent they just couldn’t resist making their hunger for Taylor known. Throughout the Globe, Love Story powered into the top five of the Billboard Hot 100 in just two weeks, with downloads well on their way to US Platinum Single status (more than 1 million tracks sold). She has also sold over 8 million albums worldwide and has sold over 14 million tracks online!
Aside from Love Story, her album also includes her previous worldly renowned tracks popularized by US radio. These songs include Teardrops on my Guitar, Our Song, and Should’ve Said No. These tracks plus her new songs make her album Fearless another introductory collection that morphed into an ALL-HIT master recording of Taylor Swift’s expressions of life and love.
Taylor Swift is an all – in – one package. She is gifted with a face that sings a thousand songs, no wonder she is the endorser of choice for several products including the famous Got Milk campaign. She is also a singer and songwriter, being the heart and soul of most of the tracks in her album. Now, she showcases her eye for acting as she takes on a cameo role in the Hannah Montana Movie with Miley Cyrus. Her meek and mild yet incredibly irresistible façade is the perfect irony to the bigness and hard hitting success that Taylor Swift has garnered here and in the globe.
Swift is also becoming the most popular pop icon on the worldwide web. She has garnered over a million friends on Myspace, over 81 million Myspace profile views, over 187 million myspace online streams, and she has been the MOST-SEARCHED ON MYSPACE OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS!
So how does a simple girl from Tennessee reach the tipping point of reaching her big dreams? Taylor Swift’s career initially began by performing on – stage with no trace of stage fright. Thanks to her grandmother, Taylor states, “My grandmother was an opera singer, she’d been famous in Puerto Rico and Singapore and places like that. She used to sing in church every Sunday, and I think seeing her get up there every single week made me realise, subliminally, that performing’s nothing, it’s kinda normal, so that helped me.”
Then came records. “I became obsessed with music when I was about six, bought my first LeAnn Rimes album and I was hooked. I started wanting to do music when I was about ten. I begged my parents to let me try out for children’s theatre, where if you’re tall, you get to play an adult, so I got all these leads and got to memorise two-hour plays, and really got into the performing aspect of things.”
Taylor Swift’s gift for songwriting is also one of her admired competencies that helped her greatly in reaching the top. “My early songs were based solely on what I was going through,” recalls Taylor. “I wrote them so fast, I didn’t think about being inspired by other people or sounds. For me it was just how quickly can I write this down right now.”
“Music has to be in my day. There’s nothing without music. It gives people a way to say how they feel. Sometimes we have no idea what we’re feeling unless somebody says it perfectly for us, and when that moment happens, it becomes your favorite song. That’s a really special thing, and it’s an honor to make music that could possibly be somebody’s favorite song.”
Taylor Swift’s new album, Fearless is available at your favorite Odyssey, Astrovision, Music One and Fully Booked stores that comes with a free Limited edition Taylor Swift poster. Her songs are also available for downloads through your cellphone via WAP and through the internet via www.fliptunesplus.net.
Fearless – the new album of Taylor Swift brought to you exclusively by MCA Music Inc.
In the Philippines, her first single off her debut album, Fearless, entitled Love Story is glued to the charts! Positions include being #1 for months now in most video and radio charts. With dozens of fans from all over the country hailing her beauty, music, and talent they just couldn’t resist making their hunger for Taylor known. Throughout the Globe, Love Story powered into the top five of the Billboard Hot 100 in just two weeks, with downloads well on their way to US Platinum Single status (more than 1 million tracks sold). She has also sold over 8 million albums worldwide and has sold over 14 million tracks online!
Aside from Love Story, her album also includes her previous worldly renowned tracks popularized by US radio. These songs include Teardrops on my Guitar, Our Song, and Should’ve Said No. These tracks plus her new songs make her album Fearless another introductory collection that morphed into an ALL-HIT master recording of Taylor Swift’s expressions of life and love.
Taylor Swift is an all – in – one package. She is gifted with a face that sings a thousand songs, no wonder she is the endorser of choice for several products including the famous Got Milk campaign. She is also a singer and songwriter, being the heart and soul of most of the tracks in her album. Now, she showcases her eye for acting as she takes on a cameo role in the Hannah Montana Movie with Miley Cyrus. Her meek and mild yet incredibly irresistible façade is the perfect irony to the bigness and hard hitting success that Taylor Swift has garnered here and in the globe.
Swift is also becoming the most popular pop icon on the worldwide web. She has garnered over a million friends on Myspace, over 81 million Myspace profile views, over 187 million myspace online streams, and she has been the MOST-SEARCHED ON MYSPACE OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS!
So how does a simple girl from Tennessee reach the tipping point of reaching her big dreams? Taylor Swift’s career initially began by performing on – stage with no trace of stage fright. Thanks to her grandmother, Taylor states, “My grandmother was an opera singer, she’d been famous in Puerto Rico and Singapore and places like that. She used to sing in church every Sunday, and I think seeing her get up there every single week made me realise, subliminally, that performing’s nothing, it’s kinda normal, so that helped me.”
Then came records. “I became obsessed with music when I was about six, bought my first LeAnn Rimes album and I was hooked. I started wanting to do music when I was about ten. I begged my parents to let me try out for children’s theatre, where if you’re tall, you get to play an adult, so I got all these leads and got to memorise two-hour plays, and really got into the performing aspect of things.”
Taylor Swift’s gift for songwriting is also one of her admired competencies that helped her greatly in reaching the top. “My early songs were based solely on what I was going through,” recalls Taylor. “I wrote them so fast, I didn’t think about being inspired by other people or sounds. For me it was just how quickly can I write this down right now.”
“Music has to be in my day. There’s nothing without music. It gives people a way to say how they feel. Sometimes we have no idea what we’re feeling unless somebody says it perfectly for us, and when that moment happens, it becomes your favorite song. That’s a really special thing, and it’s an honor to make music that could possibly be somebody’s favorite song.”
Taylor Swift’s new album, Fearless is available at your favorite Odyssey, Astrovision, Music One and Fully Booked stores that comes with a free Limited edition Taylor Swift poster. Her songs are also available for downloads through your cellphone via WAP and through the internet via www.fliptunesplus.net.
Fearless – the new album of Taylor Swift brought to you exclusively by MCA Music Inc.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Movie Review: Diana Krall - Quiet Nights
Some music is intended to paint a romantic scene – a candlelit dinner, a walk along a moonlit beach. Quiet Nights – Diana Krall’s twelfth album – ain’t about that. Using Brazil as a musical point of reference, the award-winning pianist and singer is not suggesting a night out; she means to stay in.
She’s not kidding. From Krall’s refreshing version of “Where or When,” to an utterly soul-stilling rendition of “You’re My Thrill,” the ten songs on Quiet Nights are disarming in their intimacy. Even those already familiar with the breathy vocals and rhythmic lilt in Krall’s music – and now there are millions – will be taken aback by just how far the music pushes, unabashedly, into the realm of sweet surrender. “It’s a sensual, downright erotic record and it's intended to be that way.”
Krall is the first to credit the musical team she assembled – her loyal quartet, ace producer Tommy LiPuma, engineer Al Schmitt plus legendary arranger Claus Ogerman – for much of the seductive power on Quiet Nights. But there’s a deeper, palpable sense of maturity that she brought to the recording as well. “Most of my singing and playing on the album is really just first or second takes. ‘You're My Thrill,’ was a second take – “Too Marvelous,” first take.”
It makes sense that Quiet Nights (also the English name of the bossa nova classic “Corcovado” that is the title track) draws much of its musical spirit from the land that puts the “carnal” into its annual Carnaval celebration. “I was inspired to do this record because of my trip last year to Brazil,” says Krall, who returned to Rio de Janeiro to shoot a concert for a new DVD release. “Then I just kept going back and found that everywhere you go you still hear the sounds of Jobim and bossa nova.”
As moving as Quiet Nights is -- deriving from Krall’s feelings for Brazil and bossa novas – the singer is not shy in admitting that its sensuality is as much about her home life. “It’s my love letter to my husband – just an intimate, romantic album.” As they say in Rio – obrigado!
QUIET NIGHTS is available in all record stores in Super Jewel Case format, for only Php495, and available through downloads for your cellphone via WAP! Only from MCA Music. Log-on to www.getmusic.com.ph for more updates.
She’s not kidding. From Krall’s refreshing version of “Where or When,” to an utterly soul-stilling rendition of “You’re My Thrill,” the ten songs on Quiet Nights are disarming in their intimacy. Even those already familiar with the breathy vocals and rhythmic lilt in Krall’s music – and now there are millions – will be taken aback by just how far the music pushes, unabashedly, into the realm of sweet surrender. “It’s a sensual, downright erotic record and it's intended to be that way.”
Krall is the first to credit the musical team she assembled – her loyal quartet, ace producer Tommy LiPuma, engineer Al Schmitt plus legendary arranger Claus Ogerman – for much of the seductive power on Quiet Nights. But there’s a deeper, palpable sense of maturity that she brought to the recording as well. “Most of my singing and playing on the album is really just first or second takes. ‘You're My Thrill,’ was a second take – “Too Marvelous,” first take.”
It makes sense that Quiet Nights (also the English name of the bossa nova classic “Corcovado” that is the title track) draws much of its musical spirit from the land that puts the “carnal” into its annual Carnaval celebration. “I was inspired to do this record because of my trip last year to Brazil,” says Krall, who returned to Rio de Janeiro to shoot a concert for a new DVD release. “Then I just kept going back and found that everywhere you go you still hear the sounds of Jobim and bossa nova.”
As moving as Quiet Nights is -- deriving from Krall’s feelings for Brazil and bossa novas – the singer is not shy in admitting that its sensuality is as much about her home life. “It’s my love letter to my husband – just an intimate, romantic album.” As they say in Rio – obrigado!
QUIET NIGHTS is available in all record stores in Super Jewel Case format, for only Php495, and available through downloads for your cellphone via WAP! Only from MCA Music. Log-on to www.getmusic.com.ph for more updates.
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