Lloyd Umali returns

It is unfortunate that Lloyd Umali does not write songs. It would be interesting to find out what he should be able to come up with given the fact that he is the grandson of the great composer Restie Umali, who was responsible for Saan Ka Man Naroroon, Paano Kita Lilimutin and other classics. Truth to tell, it even seems like he was not initially set on making a career in music for instead of going to the conservatory, he chose to be a nurse, which as everybody knows makes for a more stable existence.

But as the cliche says, talent will always out and in Lloyd’s case, it also turned out to be a flair for music. What he lacks in songwriting skills, he makes up for with an exceptionally appealing singing voice that echoes that of soul balladeer Michael Bolton’s. Husky and so full of angst, emotions, anger, passion, etc.etc. And this nurse he really did his grandfather proud when his new take on the older Umali’s composition Saan Ka Man Naroroon was named Best Traditional Recording at the Awit Awards some years ago.

New takes on old tunes are mostly what Lloyd has to offer in his aptly titled new album Babalikang Muli. In a way, the title can also refer to Lloyd’s absence for a few years in the recording scene. It was a time he spent putting together shows and performing in them here and abroad. So now he’s back and I must admit he sounds even better than when I first heard him.

Aside from a few originals like Vehnee Saturno’s Umaasa Pa Rin and Tito Cayamanda’s Pagka’t Wala Ka Na, the album is dominated by old favorites which came out interesting again because of the soul treatments from Lloyd. Revivals are not that hot in the local charts these days but Lloyd’s soulful approach should be novel enough to entice listeners into buying his album.

The prime cut is Babalikang Muli, the beautiful adaptation of a Japanese song with Filipino lyrics by Larry Chua. This was originally recorded by Regine Velasquez. This time around, Lloyd does it as a duet with Carol Banawa. Also nice treats are his version of Kahit Na, the Willy Cruz composition which was a big hit for Zsa Zsa Padilla and of Dennis Garcia’s Sa Isip Ko, the single that made a singing star out of Agot Isidro.

Other songs included are Louie Ocampo’s Tell Me, a hit for Joey Albert. Cecile Azarcon’s How Did You Know also a hit for Kuh Ledesma, other new originals like Tugon Sa’king Dasal and Narito Ka Lang Pala plus foreign oldies like Sometimes Love Just Ain’t Enough, These Dreams and How Do I Live.

Toy Symphony at Glorietta

Treat yourself to the lovely soul sounds of the talented Toy Symphony when the group performs live at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 15. Hosted by Viva Records in cooperation with Mossimo and radio station Wave 89.1, the event is the launch of Toy Symphony’s self-titled album that was produced by Dennis Garcia of the famous Manila Sound group Hot Dog. Made up entirely of originals, the album mixes dance tunes with R&B ballads. It contains a rich harvest of potential sellers, most especially the love songs Baby, Don’t Go and Magkayakap sa Dilim.

Hit Songs Of The Season

Meanwhile, here are the current favorites among Pinoy music lovers. Take note that our very own Regine Velasquez. who has dominated the airlanes these past months with her Dadalhin Kita from the album Reigne, is now getting strong competition from Mandy Moore who has two songs in the top 10 of the local hit list, Cry and Only Hope. Come to think of it, wasn’t this the same song that Regine and Mandy performed as a duet in the first MTV Asia Awards held in Singapore late last year?

Here’s the list: Dadalhin Kita by Regine Velasquez; Cry by Mandy Moore; If Tomorrow Never Comes by former Boyzone Ronan Keating; Only Hope also by Mandy; Without Me by Eminem; Stranded by recent visitor Jennifer Paige; the remake of Barbra Streisand’s Evergreen by Westlife; A Thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton; Adrienne by The Calling; Kaya Pala by Pops Fernandez; and bubbling below, the number one seller in the US, It’s Getting Hot in Herre by Nelly.