Luke & Nyoy give new spin to old favorites

Why is it that when an artist decides to record an album of oldies nowadays, they almost always hark back to the ’70s and ’80s? I am not really surprised that they do. That was a glorious time for Filipino music. Thanks to government support, local records were getting huge airplay and outselling foreign releases.

Though loosely organized, the Philippine Association of Recording Industry (PARI) was the only trade organization then, the music labels always banded together for the good of the industry. Singers and composers also got the respect and encouragement they were entitled to. The result then was beautiful music. And those are the songs we keep returning to.

I thought of this while checking out two new albums, Kasayaw by Luke Mejares and Tuloy Pa Rin by Nyoy Volante. There displayed prominently on the cover are the familiar titles, some of the warhorses of Manila Sound. Rico J. Puno’s Macho Gwapito and Magkasuyo Buong Gabi, Randy Santiago’s Babaero, Vic Sotto’s Ipagpatawad Mo and others.

I am sure that even casual listeners can easily name artists who have recorded their own versions of those songs during these past 30 years or so. Some were good. Others were bad. These, however, did not in any way lessen the charm of the originals. And we now have Nyoy and Luke doing their own takes on these songs and hopefully, also adding in something of their own to these timeless favorites.

Luke takes the more drastic approach. As the title clearly says, his Kasayaw is a dance album. Working with True Faith bassist Bimbo Yance as producer, Luke built his career on R&B music. He was one of the South Border vocalists. This time around, he junked his usual sweet-soul singing in favor of rousing, spirited vocals. I must say that Yance was also in the mood for something other than his band’s pop rock music. So, these two went all out to put some house spins to a few modern classics.

In the album, sounding like trendy treats for the dance floor are Babaero; Archie D’s Kasayaw; Macho Guwapito featuring Jimmy Bondoc; VST & Company’s Magsayawan and Ogie Alcasid’s, Iyong Iyo. They sound fun and new and should give Luke’s career a boost. Needless to say, he has also contributed a lot towards keeping these songs and Filipino pop music alive.

Nyoy also stretches himself in his new album through differently textured arrangements and surprising song choices. Who would have thought that he would take on a power ballad like Lani Misalucha’s Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin and make it work? It does, thanks to his beautiful falsetto and the laid-back arrangement by Nyoy himself and Rhythmic Circle.

Nyoy was one of those young singers who dominated the acoustic circuit some years ago. So you sort of already know what to expect from him with each new album. He retains the acoustic arrangements in Tuloy Pa Rin, but with the emphasis now on the violins. The songs come out lush and more romantic.

As for his singing, I can say that the CD is his best work ever. Nyoy has been very active in musical theater these past few years. He recently starred in In The Heights and Rock of Ages. I see these stints as the reason for his wider vocal range and the subtle way he brings to fore his discovered nuances of the songs.

I am sure that you have never heard Dina Bonnevie’s Bakit Ba Ganyan or Agot Isidro’s Sa Isip Ko, done Nyoy’s way. Also included are Ipagpatawad Mo, Tuloy Pa Rin, Magkasuyo Buong Gabi featuring Sabrina, Nandito Ako, Sana Dalawa Ang Puso Ko and Basta’t Kasama Kita.

Nyoy has included three new originals, Pikit, Kamakailan Lang and Miss Kita — all very nice with sweet lyrics and pretty melodies. Maybe in a decade or two they will be part of some young artist’s album. Whoever he is will have to work harder searching for his materials though. New works have not only become scarce, the hits are even fewer. And those with the power to change the situation are either at a loss on what to do or simply unconcerned.

Of course, that future singer’s job will be easier if he goes back to the time of the ’70s and ’80s. And then it will be, here they come again, Ipagpatawad Mo, Macho Guwapito, Magsayawan, Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin…

From the Pinoy MYX Countdown, here is a list of the week’s most requested videos. Maybe some of these songs will also become classics in the future: Babay by Yeng Constantino; Wo-Oh by Kamikazee; Rainbow by David Archuleta; Buko by Jireh Lim; Raspberry Girl by Chicosci; Gayuma by Abra feat. Thyro and Jeriko Aguilar; Bago Mahuli Ang Lahat by Never The Strangers; Burado by Rico Blanco; Sana Di Na Lang by Dello featuring Jeazell; Terrified by Sabrina feat. Christian Bautista.

Pwede Ako by Gracenote; KPL by the Oktaves; Hagdan by Ron Henley feat. Kat Agarrado; DOTA o AKO by Aikee feat. Sabrina; Don’t Let Go by Roots of Nature; Your Silence Is The Villain by Your Imaginary Friends; Oras by Mic Llave; Daleng Dale by MMJ; Maria by Jason Fernandez; and Tayo Tayo Lang by Ebe Dancel.