Rico still sounds macho guwapito - SOUNDS FAMILIAR by Baby A. Gil

I grant that the voice is no longer the pure tenor that it was 25 years ago when he took the Philippines by storm singing about "namamasyal pa sa Luneta" in his own unique style. But in the new album titled Aliw, the now mellowed tones of Rico Puno retain the same familiar sparkle and have become even more expressive.

Rico’s new album of originals has the Total Entertainer working with some of the most prolific producers and songwriters in the country today. Vehnee Saturno, Nonoy Tan and Bodjie Dasig all entered the music industry during Puno’s heyday as the country’s leading soul balladeer and probably dreamt to one day hear him interpret their own songs. Now all well established on their own, they came to work together in one album. Singer-songwriters Boy Christopher and Lito Camo, who have had their own share of hits join the fun with some new works.

The songs and arrangements are vintage Rico Puno and he and his producers pretend to no surprises. The melodies soar. The lyrics are simple and talk about ordinary things. As he has done so many times before, Puno croons "baby, baby" and gets naughty once in a while. What makes everything different is that there is a lighter touch in everything. The Motown soul of his early days has acquired a new pop finish. It is softer and better suited to a man who has attained the heights and can now bask in the glory.

The first single out is Camo’s Kay Hirap Mong Limutin, which is about a love affair best remembered while passing through Pasig, Pasay and Sta. Mesa. Other cuts in the album are In Love, Sorry Ka Na Lang, (May Asawa Na Ako) Narito, Ganyan Bang Lahat ang Mga Babae, Baby, ang Ganda Mo, Di Pa Huli, Sabihin Mo Sa Akin and Siguro Mahal Kita. The final song is Kung Kaya Ko’y Kaya Mo Rin, an inspirational throwback to early Puno hits like May Bukas Pa and Ang Taoy’s Marupok, composed by Nonoy Tan.

Curiously, Puno gives credit to Eraserhead Buendia who came up with the idea for the album. They belong to different generations but a collection of Buendia compositions by Rico seems like an interesting prospect. I can already hear him singing Toyang and Ang Huling El Bimbo, complete with the right movements. Come to think of it, Puno and the E-Heads do have something in common, it was Rico who took street language to the mainstream of the music industry in the ’70s, a feat that the E-heads duplicated some 20 years later.

I do not know if Rico is running for reelection as Makati councilor but even without that new phase in his life, he remains a potent force in the field of entertainment, a great example for all aspiring artists who wondered what would happen after the hits. Like Rico, they should go on to create more.

Pop and Politics

Somebody else who has found a way to mix music and politics and is veteran radio and record man Ed Formoso. Ed recently created a program that he says is guaranteed to make FM-radio listening both pleasurable and interesting for all those who wish to keep up with these hectic times.