Mellow, sexy & relaxing

Produced by Raymond Timbol and Jimmy Antiporda, the self-titled album by MetaFour is made up almost entirely of original R&B materials. Now I know all-original albums by all sorts of bands is more the rule than the exception. What makes MetaFour’s different is that the quality of the production is so much better than what we have been getting lately and the sound hews closely to the acoustic R&B vibe listeners seem to enjoy these days.

Back to the almost. I say that because MetaFour seems to have this predilection for Michael Jackson songs. Two of these, One Day in Your Life and I Just Can’t Stop Loving You are performed with very little change from the Jackson originals. There is also the old local favorite composed by Odette Quesada, Friend of Mine, which still comes across as current after nearly 20 years. Old or new though, whether original or not, MetaFour is an able interpreter. The entire package is mellow, sexy, relaxing and a refreshing change from all the garage rock we hear everywhere.

Other songs in MetaFour are Give It to Me, Friends, In My Eyes, Tara Na, Bahala Na, So Much in Love, Why Do I Love You? Handa Na, Thinkin’ About and Love Floats. Metafour is made up of Donna, whose sweet voice leads the vocals, Francis on keyboards and vocals, MC on the kahon and vocals and Ryan on guitars.

Apo Hiking Society show

Speaking of sounds from the past 20 years or so, the Apo Hiking Society is set to perform at SM Megamall Cinema 9 on Tuesday, Aug. 22. The show, entitled MYX Presents KAMI nAPO MUNA, The Concert, is a production by MYX, the Philippines’ number one music channel as a tribute to what might well be the most successful trio in the history of Filipino pop music. Think of hits like When I Met You, Yakap Sa Dilim, Panalangin, Ewan, Awit ng Barkada, Pumapatak Na Naman ang Ulan, Blue Jeans, Doo Bi Doo, Blue Jeans and many others.

Set to perform the classic songs of the Apo are 18 of the hottest contemporary acts. These are Parokya ni Edgar, Imago, Itchyworms, Kamikazee, Moonstar 88, Orange and Lemons, Rocksteddy, Sandwich, Shamrock, Spongecola, Sugarfree, Boldstar, Drip, Sound, The Dawn, Barbie Almalbis, Kitchie Nadal and Top Suzara. Of course, the Apos, Jim Paredes, Danny Javier and Boboy Garovillo will also be around to once more perform their songs. This is the trio’s first appearance together since Jim and his family migrated to Australia early this year.

Tickets to the show are available at all TicketWorld outlets. Call 891-9999 for inquiries and reservations or check out website www.ticketworld.com.ph.

Remember Pen-Pen?

Also blasting from the past. Emil Sanglay and Pen-Pen are back. This is good news for the fans of Pen-Pen. For those unfamiliar with the name, the group was one of the leading purveyors of Pinoy folk music in the late ‘70s. Their biggest hit was Pen Pen de Sarapen, a cleverly-arranged take of the Pilipino kiddie counting song.

Pen-Pen disappeared when leader Emil Sanglay went into self-imposed retirement after his son’s death. He whiled away the years giving music lessons and working on his encyclopedia of guitar chords. But he has finally admitted that an artist needs to perform and the World Music pioneer in the Philippines made his comeback with an appearance at Concert in the Park yesterday with Pen-Pen.

Check this one out and let us hope we will see more of Pen-Pen and hear more of their music after this show.

Top 20 videos of the week

Back to MYX. From the Pinoy MYX Countdown, the top 20 videos of the week: Martyr Nyebera by Kamikazee; Blue Sky by Hale; A Promise by Chicosci; Stars by Callalily; Walang Kadala-dala by Sandwich; I Still Believe in Loving You by Sarah Geronimo; Wait Forever by Gary Valenciano; Hindi Ko Na Kayang Masaktan Pa by Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez; 241 (My Favorite Song) by RiverMaya; Sayang Ang Lahat by True Faith; Manila by Amber; Sa Aking Panaginip by Jennylyn Mercado; Kung Maalala Mo by Erik Santos; Panaginip by Mayonnaise; And by Now by Mark Bautista; Alive by Frio; OK Lang by Shamrock; Ingay by Pin Up Girls; Jeepney by Spongecola; and Tinig by Join the Club.