MANILA, Philippines - With the local music scene seemingly desperate in looking for the next big thing, record labels are figuring in a race to produce distinctive voices that can lead the way. Diversity is now a dominant theme in record bars, with the most unique ones believed to be some steps ahead in the run.
Here are four Pinoy acts, each with styles they can call their own. They’re hoping to make a name for themselves by breaking formulas and being true to themselves.
Simon Wood (Viva Records). There’s no need to trace the background of this boy to get some sense of connection. He has gotten through by being original, able to put an old soul’s voice to fresh hits of foreign stars. While others opted to take the acoustic route in rendering their versions of current tunes for today’s young generation, he goes by the interplay of jukebox mood and the melodic thrust of 21st century pop.
Simon Wood’s version of Justin Bieber’s Baby can surely be something puzzling for the youngsters. But the more experienced ears are likely to offer their nod for his triumphant effort in turning the digital age megahit sound as if it was a hit before Bieber’s mother (Pattie Mallette) was born.
The jukebox Baby leads the 10 track-covers album featuring the voice of Simon whose eponymous debut CD boasted his stirring versions of classic foreign songs such as Wonderful Tonight, Every Breath You Take and Everything I Own. For this one called #1 Singles (Renditions of Today’s Most Wanted Hits), the young talent visualized by Vic del Rosario as the “next hot male singer” has interpreted chart-topping pop/R&B tracks from Lady Gaga (Poker Face), Beyoncé (Single Ladies), Jason Mraz (I’m Yours), Rihanna (Umbrella) and other present-day sensations.
Simon is a promising talent of the ever-growing Viva Artist Agency. His musical influences like Bread, country singers, and Pinoy icons Freddie Aguilar and Mike Hanopol all point to the direction that allowed him to put classy touches to today’s formulaic commercial songs.
Ney Dmac (Star Records). 6Cyclemind has all the right to continue playing without its former lead vocalist Ney Dimaculangan. But the latter’s distinctive vocal character is certainly too big a hole to fill.
Ney may not be a Rico Blanco in terms of songwriting and longevity. But his easily identifiable voice provides him a strong foundation to establish his footing as a solo act.
“There’s no conscious effort in doing that and I can’t change my voice. I’m happy I got more freedom doing music,” he said during his album launch at Rockville in Timog, Q.C.
Ney the album has 10 tracks he all composed and arranged, led by single Ligaw. The song is instantly likeable, though one may not be able to totally separate it from the usual 6Cyclemind singles of the past. Other interesting numbers are Sana, Shut-Up, Tagapagligtas and Himig Mo. Bonuses include the RPG Metanoia theme Kaya Mo and Walang Hanggan, his duet with Yeng Constantino.
One thing clear for Ney, his voice remains the same. It will not be surprising if 6Cyclemind gets to suffer the setback experienced by Rivermaya when their songwriter-singer frontman jumpshipped. He may have brought with him the magic that made his former group an act on its own.
Tricia Garcia (MCA Music). MCA Music banks on a new lady act with a strong songwriting skills and who has a facial resemblance to actress Snooky Serna. She is Tricia Garcia, a girl-next-door name with a musicality that catches the breath of the grounded high-class society.
This classical music-trained student began writing her own songs only last year. Yet she has proven her mettle through some strokes of emphatic creativity that filled up her debut album loaded with relaxing originals.
MCA president Ricky Ilacad noted, “I’m hearing something fresh sa kanya, with her easy-listening combination of pop and jazz. Wala pang ganitong act sa ngayon.”
A true blue artist who paints stunning images of still-life and nature, Tricia is a fresh voice out to make heads turn, or down with pillows and into the dreamland. Her carrier single, Tabing Ilog (Barbie’s Cradle), is her soulful rendition that at the very least matched the warmth of the original. Another cover, that of Ako’y Sa Iyo, Ika’y Sa Akin (I-Axe) is refreshing considering that the ’90s classic is more often sung by males. Listen to her originals and know the new artist more.
Chiro (New Gen, sub-label of Star Records). Four-piece act Chiro was recently signed-up by Star Records for its sub-label New Gen. The decision to sign this show band from Pampanga was mere formality as the girl-fronted ensemble won a nationwide band competition care off international brand Nokia.
With their melding of acoustic and progressive pop rock, Chiro (Latin word for “hands”) beat over 300 other hopefuls in the Nokia Music Connection challenge that attracted some of the finest band aspirants in the land.
Though experts in doing covers, the band’s EP released digitally is a collection of originals done in a true professional’s artistic effort. The group did its own versions of Handog (Florante) and Batang-bata Ka Pa (APO Hiking Society). But delivered more on the originals like Pahiwatig, its single that can be described as a musically progressive piece tackling love and desertion. Another is Alaala, the group’s collaboration with veteran songwriter Jungee Marcelo.
Chiro’s vocalist Toni Rose Reynes, easily the center of attraction for her highly charged and beautifully strange voice, pointed out, “What we want is to be one of those acts respected for putting out intelligent music, not disposable songs with appeal that do not last long.”
With that in mind, Chiro, whose other members are guitarist Faelmar Ocampo, bassist Erick Gabriel and drummer Ivan Louis Reynes, is nevertheless going in the right direction.