New bossa tunes by Sitti

Sitti, the bossa nova babe with the bikini bod, downplays her latest re- lease Bossa Love as just another collec- tion of covers done in her usual bossa nova style. What she is really looking forward to is her next one, which will contain her original compositions. Sitti intends to spend the next weeks, work- ing on her songs while at the same time promoting Bossa Love and then hope- fully she can release the new CD late this year.

Now while the new album might not have anything new to offer musically, it still marks a very important phase in her career. Bossa Love is her first re- cording for MCA Music, Inc. Sitti was formerly under contract with Warner Music where her platinum-selling debut Café Bossa from eight years ago ignited a bossa nova explosion in the local music industry. She moved to MCA last year.

There was really nothing wrong with Warner. She spent many fruitful years with the label. She describes the move to MCA as just the continuation of an old relationship. MCA managing director Ricky Ilacad was with Warner when Sitti started her singing career. He was the one who helped chart her success. After he changed labels, Sitti thought it would also be best for her to join him in MCA. And so here she is now with Bossa Love for MCA.

Like what the lovely Sitti says, Bossa Love is nothing earthshaking. But it is an album that definitely makes for many hours of pleasant listening. The songs are well-chosen and well- arranged. I like the album line-up very much with such unlikely choices that work very well like I Want It That Way by the Backstreet Boys and Lost Without You by Robin Thicke. Of course hear- ing Smooth, that pop classic by Santana with Rob Thomas of matchbox 20, done the Sitti way is an absolute delight.

And that is a fact. It is Sitti’s singing that is Bossa Love’s strong point. What makes the album different and impor- tant is Sitti herself. It is the way she sings these familiar songs in an easy but sultry manner that makes them sound refreshingly new. This was what made her a star and I like it that she is staying on the same track with, take note, her newly-acquired clear, high notes.

Bossa Love also includes It Wasn’t Me by Shaggy; Sunday Morning by Maroon 5; Stickwitu by the Pussy Cat Dolls; Back To You by John Mayer; Someday We’ll Know by the New Radicals; My Favor- ite Mistake by Sheryl Crowe; Yellow by Coldplay; Don’t Know Why by Norah Jones; For You by Kenny Lattimore; Wa- terfalls by TLC; and Thank You by Dido.

The release of Bossa Love coincides with Sitti’s concert at the Music Museum on Jan. 18. She will be performing songs from the album as well as her other hits like Tattooed On My Mind, Hey, Look At The Sun and I Didn’t Know I Was Looking for Love.

She will be joined by guests Nyoy Volante and Jett Pangan.

Tickets are available at SM Tickets, 470- 2222; at the Music Museum (721-6726) and at Ticketworld (891-9999) or online at smtickets.com and musicmuseum.com. ph and ticketworld.com.ph. Ticket prices are P1,600 for Orchestra and P1,000 (Balcony) 2013 Pinoy MYX Count- down

Meanwhile from MYX, here is the Pi- noy MYX Countdown for 2013. It comes a bit late for the opening of the year but I am sure that like me, you also want to find out what videos did we Pinoys enjoy watching last year.

And here they are: Nasa Iyo Na Ang Lahat by Daniel Padilla; Chinito by Yeng Constantino; Ikot Ikot by Sarah Geronimo; Pansamantala by Callalily; B.A.B.A.Y. by Yeng; It Takes A Man And A Woman by Sarah; Discolamon by Banda Ni Kleggy; HKM by Callalily; Raspberry Girl by Chi- cosci; Buko by Jireh Lim.

Magda by Gloc-9 featuring Rico Blanco; Ang Parokya by Parokya ni Edgar feat. Gloc-9 and Frank Magalona; Sandata by Yeng Constantino; Ilusyon by Abra feat. Arci Muñoz; No Limitations by Sam Concepcion; Oha by Enrique Gil; Carousel by Bamboo; Luna by Up Dharma Down; Help Me Get Over It by Jonahlyn Viray; and Saludo by Quest.