Great Pinoy compilations

Viva Records, Vicor Music and Telesis Recording, formerly Jem Recording produced some of the most successful and truly groundbreaking recordings of the past 40 years. These firms laid the groundwork for what later came to be known as the Golden Age of Filipino pop music. It is under these labels that some of our biggest stars began their careers and it is a testimony to what the people behind these works have accomplished that the songs continue to live on, still loved by many and unsurpassed in popularity. Honestly speaking it has become difficult finding recent works of the same quality.

Now, there is nothing that music lovers want more than to be able to listen to their favorite tunes any time they want. Difficult times though have forced them to downsize their spending and to do away with getting copies of all their favorite songs. The release of compilations have improved the situation somewhat. Unlike in the past when they had to buy individual CDs of every artist to get particular songs, all it takes now is to get one compilation CD and they will most likely get at least 12 or even more hits by various artists.

It is with this in mind that Viva, Vicor and Telesis have banded together for the first time to release compilation albums featuring the best recordings in their respective catalogues. And because Viva, Vicor and Telesis were at the forefront of the Pinoy pop explosion, these songs and the songwriters and singers responsible for them are also among the best we have ever had. Think George Canseco and Basil Valdez, Willy Cruz and Nonoy Zuñiga. Odette Quesada and Kuh Ledesma. Jose Mari Chan and himself. Rey Valera and himself too. Plus many others.

Signature Hits OPM’s Best is one collection. The title says it all. Here are songs that are so closely identified with particular artists, that they have become their signatures. All it takes is to hear the opening bars and we know whose voice we will hear next. Here too are recordings that launched unknowns to stardom, the songs they will always remember as having changed their lives, the ones they will never do a concert without.

Take a look at the contents. Ikaw ang Lahat sa Akin by Martin Nievera; Kahit Na by Zsa Zsa Padilla; Di Na Natuto by Gary Valenciano; Sana’y Wala nang Wakas by Sharon Cuneta; Ngayon at Kailanman by Basil Valdez; Narito Ako by Regine Velasquez; Never Ever Say Goodbye by Nonoy Zuñiga; Don’t Know What to Say (Don’t Know What to Do) by Ric Segreto; Mahirap Magmahal ng Syota ng Iba by the Apo Hiking Society; The Way We Were by Rico J. Puno; Don’t Say Goodbye by Pops Fernandez; Maging Sino Ka Man by Rey Valera; Tag-araw Tag-ulan by Hajji Alejandro; Can We Just Stop and Talk A While by Jose Mari Chan; Dito Ba by Kuh Ledesma; T.L. Ako Sa ’Yo by Cinderella; and Awitin Mo Isasayaw Ko by VST&Co.

Another collection that is now in the stores is Senti 18 Pinoy Love Hits. Senti is the result of the Pinoy’s penchant for abbreviations. It is our short term for sentimental and just like what the title says this CD contains some of the most loved and most romantic Filipino compositions ever written. And given the artists rosters of Viva, Vicor and Telesis, the singers and composers are of course, only the best.

If you are feeling sentimental about your romances from the past four decades, here are the songs for you. You by Basil Valdez; Hold On by Side A; You are My Song by Regine Velasquez; Before I Let You Go by Freestyle; Show Me a Smile by the Apo Hiking Society; To Love Again by Sharon Cuneta; Give Me a Chance by Ric Segreto; Even If by Jam Morales; Maybe by Neocolours; Till My Heartaches End by Ella May Saison; Can Find No Reason by Louie Heredia; How Did You Know by Chiqui Pineda; Refrain by Jose Mari Chan; Till I Met You by Kuh Ledesma; Love Without Time by Nonoy Zuñiga; Only Me and You by Donna Cruz; I Need You Back by Raymond Lauchengco; and Everyday by Agot Isidro.