An outburst of Gig Sounds

Given the competition from superior quality foreign releases and the existence of piracy nowadays, it has now become truly difficult for local bands to break into the big time. That is why I believe that the arrival of an album like Gig Sounds should be considered a big event. A brainchild of singer and television personality Randy Santiago in conjunction with the showplace Ratsky, the album presents 11 groups with 10 original compositions in one album. So while record labels may shy away from producing albums by these bands on their own given the state of the market, because there is a good chance they will lose money, something like Gig Sounds affords these acts a chance to get their music heard.

The groups included in Gig Sounds have a ready audience among the clientele of Ratsky, which now has branches in Tomas Morato in Quezon City, Malate in Manila and in Cebu. But to be heard by as many people as possible is the dream of every music artist. Randy, who is also a songwriter understands this. So he asked the bands who perform at Ratsky to submit their own works for recording in one album. Not everybody made the collection. You know how musicians are sometimes. They are not too keen about deadlines. But those who did not make it should not lose heart. If the first one becomes a hit, then there is always the chance of a Gig Sounds Volume 2 or a Volume 3 in the future.

So those who did not make the album should make sure they are ready with their compositions when Randy asks again. Now that Gig Sounds has been released, even people who do not frequent Ratsky have a chance to listen to the 11 participating bands and their songs. Aside from this, their fans, who regularly attend their gigs can now listen to their music wherever they are. And who knows, one of the songs in the album might just break through into the charts and become as successful as Rainbow by South Border or Itsumo by Dice & K9. That means finding new music stars and more importantly new songwriters who might set the trend for the future.

The songs featured in Gig Sounds are You are the One by Serenity; I Don’t Wanna See You Lonely by Spin Art with Mocha; Hanggang Ngayon by Freeverse; Rason by Pure Instinct; Babalik Ka Pa Kaya? by Wiseguys; Tell Me by MP3; Hibang by First Circle and Whatcha Gonna Do? by Tribe of Levi. Two bands discovered in Cebu also made contributions to the album. These are Heartbeat with Paano? and Next Stage with Love Isn’t There Anymore. Take note that one of today’s big selling newcomers is the album Mobbstar by Dice & K9, a hip hop group that was discovered in Cebu. Then there is one bonus track. This is by Elements, the grand prize winner of the WRR 2003 Acoustic Open and the song is their cover of How Do You Heal a Broken Heart with which they won the contest.

Acoustic Light

Still on something by Randy Santiago and still on original Filipino compositions. While he does not sing in Gig Sounds, Randy is one of the featured artists in another album. This is the all-sorts, all-star collection Acoustic Light where the performers range from Rica Peralejo to Barbie’s Cradle to Bent to Aiza Seguerra. If you want variety in your music then this one is for you. It is made up of previously released recordings, most of them big sellers from some years back that were brought up to date with new acoustic style arrangements. And don’t knock those oldies. Some of them like Sulat and Paalam Na still work today. Randy sings True Love which was written by Nori Villena.

The other tracks in the album are Sulat by Moonstar 88; Tabing Ilog by Barbie’s Cradle; Paalam Na by Rachel Alejandro; You Will Always Be by Shirley Fuentes; Tulala by Cover Me Quick; Another Rainy Day by Aiza Seguerra; Saying Goodbye by Bent; Mahal by Big Men; Hiling by Retrospect; Fallin’ by Rica Peralejo; Girl by Immaculate; Sana Naman by Richard Reynoso; Ikaw Lamang by Krausswind and Di Mo Man Hanapin by Article Six.