‘Candidly’ yours

Barely a year in the recording business in the Philippines, Candid Records Philippines has been slowly, candidly making its presence felt in the local recording industry with its catalogue of recorded music — from pop, R&B, world, Latin, jazz to blues.

Originating in New York in the ‘60s, Candid Records is based in London. Its roster of artists include the legendary Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald, Charles Mingus and Memphis Slim, saxophonist Ingrid Laubrock and Jim Tomlinson, Mongo Santamaria, Alex Wilson, jazz vocalist Clare Teal, Russian-born singer Nelli Rees, UK’s prime guitarist Cameron Pierre (a recent visitor to the Philippines), UK sensation and Prince of Jazz Jaime Cullum and two-time BBC Best Jazz Vocalist Stacey Kent, whose new compilation, Stacey Kent’s Christmas Chill-Out, released late last year has been sweeping the country — with her spectacular voice breathing new life to jazz standards including Gershwin’s classics One For my Baby, So Wonderful, Sleep Warm, Hushabye Mountain, Polka Dots and Moonbeams and many more.

Last December, Candid Records Philippines brought to the country the youngest artist to join its prime roster–the Sampaguita group–for a two-week promotional tour for their debut album Children of the World.

Reminiscent of rock star Sampaguita, the Sampaguita Performing Group is a London-based ensemble composed of four to 16-year-old kids of mixed Filipino parentage. Two of its members, Jean Michael and Jamieson Ipock, are already stars in the West End theaters. Both were in the acclaimed Richard Rodgers Classic The King & I where Jamieson was Prince Chulalongkorn. Jamieson also played Tam in the widely popular Miss Saigon.

The group’s debut album, launched internationally in a sold-out concert at the Commonwealth Institute at Kensington High in London, includes eight heartwarming, joyful melodies to inspire and delight listeners. This includes a sweet rendition of Park’s Something Stupid (also recorded by Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman), Paul Anka’s Puppy Love, Michael Jackson and Paul Mc Cartney’s The Girl Is Mine, the hopeful melody of Tomorrow and a Mary Poppins Medley combining the children’s classic hits The Perfect Nanny, a Spoonful of Sugar, Let’s Go Fly A Kite, Chim Chim Che Ree, Step In Time, Jolly Holiday and the tongue-twisting finale Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.

Vehnee Saturno also graced the album with three compositions including the title track Children of the World (with lyrics by Tito Cayamanda), Love Is All We Need (lyrics by Doris Saturno) and Pity On Me with Len Clarino. Also included as bonus track is a heart-wrenching version of Palimos Po.

"The album is dedicated to all the children of the world, the healthy, the sick, the dying, the hungry, the homeless and the orphans. Profits from record sales will be donated to charities dedicated in helping children in crisis, street children, the orphans, abandoned, sexually-abused and indigent youths deprived of the opportunity to go to school," says Nieves Bates, president of Candid Records Philippines.

Children of the World is produced under the Zone 7/ Candid Label and distributed locally by Ivory Records.

Unique Calendar

Probably the most common giveaway of every new year is a calendar. Not because it’s the most practical but it’s the most logical; everybody eagerly looks forward to the year ahead.

Some calendars are uninspired. Others are fabulous like the Timex calendars. Yes, Timex, is the watch that blends technology with style.

With the theme "There is Time for Everything," the 10-page calendar features Piolo Pascual, Claudine Barretto and Marc Nelson in never-before-seen-photos shot by Jim Paredes.

Join Piolo in seventh heaven as he relives his much-deserved grand slam win in Time for Triumph while wearing Timex Ironman Triathlon watch. Every inch is a grand slam timepiece.

Also, catch the stylish Claudine Barretto as she makes a fashion statement with Timex Chronograph watch, adorned with mother of pearls and Swarovski crystals in Time for Style. See her lying on a bed of roses as she exudes simplicity and beauty.

Discover the other side of Marc Nelson in Time to Rest and Time to Cool Down. These shots show how the gorgeous sportsman takes time off from his active lifestyle as TV host and gym instructor.