Soul brothers’ number one

Kapatid
Produced by Kapatid & Bob Aves
Distributed by Sony Music

The last time I did an album review was three years ago for an assignment in journalism class. I haven’t done another one since. See, I don’t consider myself an authority on music, but I do know what I like. I try to be as objective as possible whenever I write, but some sound experiences just hit me and make me rabidly enthusiastic and I lose all objectivity. But sometimes I come across things that have the opposite effect and I just get bored and overly critical, hence I try to avoid writing reviews. Although many say that it is a no-no to be too involved in your subject matter as it impedes journalistic objectivity, there are occasions when I am just plain moved. Music is one of the loves of my life, and I have a deep appreciation for it and the people who make it possible. Seeing and hearing a band, feeling their vibe reverberate through my body, tug at my soul and tweak all my senses is something that I look for. I consider myself lucky to have found it, and I just want to share my good fortune in the hope that others will be moved as well.

I first wrote about Kapatid in 2001 after watching their first gig at BigSkyMind. I’m not ashamed to say that that was my introduction to the Manila music scene, and from then on I was hooked. I made it a point to watch every gig I could, catch different bands, and just soak the whole scene in. Having grown up in Baguio, coming across any good live acts was a rarity. We are flooded by show bands, and before I left for college the song of choice that was blaring out of every music bar 24/7 was Buttercup. You can only have so much of that. It got to be very sickening.

A little backgrounder on Kapatid: The band first started jamming in early 2001. Karl Roy does vocals, Nathan Azarcon plays the bass, Chico Molina and Ira Cruz are the guitarists, and Jun Balbuena handles the drum chores. All corners of music come together in Kapatid, and their sound is a volatile mix of funk, hip-hop, drum-n-bass, reggae, rock, and jazz. Watching them live is an experience in itself, allowing the audience to really feel the rapport between the members. Despite their varied musical backgrounds, they are all glued to the same rhythm, and the alchemy is undeniable. Sheer euphoria stems from the energy that they create. Those who have heard Kapatid live know exactly what I’m talking about. But for those who haven’t had a chance to experience the sound, their self titled album — "Kapatid"— is out at last. Independently produced and recorded at Soundquest Studios and Edsa 524, it is worth checking out.

The first track, Sonic Assault, opens the gateway to the Kapatid experience. Nathan’s infectious bass, layered with funky and jazzy guitar riffs provided by Ira and Chico, and combined with Jun’s scratches and maniacal beats, set the tone and serve as a good introduction to Kapatid’s groove. Karl’s unmistakable voice melds it all together and as he chants, "This is an assualt on your sonic senses/ relax and let it throw you off! But check this and maybe break through the realm of your sonic sound & finally your soul is sound!" Take his word for it. From here on, Kapatid is your pilot.

The band prefers to play long sets and not take any breaks as this would disrupt the flow. They want to keep the energy level up when they perform, and apparently the same goes for their album. Each track streams into the next, taking the listener higher and higher up on the sound trip scale. The album progresses from hyper, with The Tune, a fusion of drum-n-bass, rock and funk and a very upbeat rendition of Pagbabalik ng Kwago, to mellow and chill. It then slips into a darker and heady vibe, with themes of anger, frustration, and confusion. I won’t even attempt to dissect their songs as they just have to be felt, but one thing is for sure, each track showcases the individual talent of each band member, their technical prowess, and their ability to take listeners for a ride. Other standout tracks include Fade Away, an ode to failed relationships beautifully sung by Jun, and I Like It Like This, a fun, steady percussion and blues guitar song that sends a somewhat hedonistic but uplifting message to anyone who is ever criticized by their contemporaries. There is also a restrained but no less powerful rendition of Visions that I can only describe as smoooooth, man.

What is it about Kapatid’s sound that has me addicted? Perhaps I heard them at a time when their words and music hit very close to home. I’m sure people my age feel the same way when I say that we have a million unanswered questions, made numerous mistakes, and are frustrated when we open ourselves up to the world and get burned in the process. But we press on. We all have our destinations. On a societal level ,the world is on the brink of war, and the problems of poverty and injustice are getting worse. The answers we seek are getting harder to find and we are left in a state of confusion. Can we be blamed? Older generations say that we are apathetic, purposeless, aimless, and immune to the real conditions of society, but that still remains to be seen. We no longer want to take the crap that is being fed to us— that’s all. There are still those who care and stand up for their ideals. The last track on the album, entitled EDSA 524, is a commentary on our country’s political situation, and it asks the questions, "Who defines the moments, conditions, and the limits? Can we find divine intervention? If we can handle it we can dismantle it. Are we serving the country, the system, or ourselves?" We just have to find our way, and oftentimes music does help in giving us a little direction. "Visceral" is perhaps the best word I can use to describe Kapatid’s sound, and it is the perfect vehicle for sending their messages of unity, global harmony, and the brotherhood of man to the world. Could this piece still be called an album review? Perhaps not, but to the brothers of Kapatid, you have believers out there. "If I could share a little thought with you, and if I could try to change the world a bit for you. We know the world is on the brink of destruction, and in this way, where’s the solution...Now before we lose our faith, lets make a move, before we lose our sanity, why don’t we bust this tune!" Keep rockin’.