'Amir' released

ABS-CBN Star Magic artist Carlos Agassi is very much excited with the release of his newest album titled "Amir" under Star Records. This is his third album and it contains six tracks (three English and three Tagalog), all original R&B with a dash of rap. He is doubly happy of the album since he's its executive producer.

"I learned so much in the process of producing this album. I really poured my heart and soul in the album," said Carlos. "You can expect a more mature Carlos in this album, someone with more substance." He was on top of everything - from choosing the songs, conceptualizing the album cover and the pictorial, and the MTV for the songs. "I was really inspired and put a lot of work into this album since a lot of my fans were looking for my rap album when I went to the United States to join the Kapamilya Super Caravan of ABS-CBN," the rap artist related.

"Amir" was launched yesterday at "ASAP 05" in time for the premiere of the music video of "True," the carrier single of the album. "Amir" is distributed ng Star Records and has Gold's Gym for major sponsor, and Hanford and DNG as minor sponsors. Aside from promoting his new album, Carlos is also busy with his TV shows "Bora" and "ASAP 05." He is scheduled to leave at the end of the month for a US concert tour with the Hunks.

With the release of "Amir," Carlos hopes the public would finally accept him as a rap artist. Since he started out in the business as an actor, Carlos was not taken seriously when he decided to do rap, even if he was able to do two albums already. But his co-producer Gloc 9 (Aries Pollisco, the A&R manager of Star Records) is very pleased with the work that Carlos put into the "Amir" rap album. He believes that once the audience gets to listen to the songs in "Amir," they'd finally take Carlos seriously as a rap artist and give him the recognition that he deserves.

Gloc 9 added that he would not have accepted the offer to be co-producer of "Amir" if he doesn't believe that Carlos would be able to make the grade. Compared to Carlos' first two albums, "Amir" is definitely much better, and Carlos has proven that he has what it takes to be a rap artist although he added that he had to guide Carlos the rest of the way to give the album the distinct sound of rap that would be accepted by the listeners.

* * *

Komiks novelist-turned director Carlo J. Caparas would have loved to direct "Panday" had his wife Donna Villa decided to produce it. But since Donna didn't want to, direk Carlo and his wife decided to accept the offer of Charo Santos for ABS-CBN to come up with a TV series of "Panday" that would start airing this November, with an all-star cast headed by Jericho Rosales playing the role of Panday.

Direk Carlo is likewise happy with the stars chosen by ABS-CBN to play important roles in the "Panday" series like Phillip Salvador, Victor Neri (who plays the number one nemesis of "Panday"), Monsour del Rosario and Heart Evangelista who plays Jericho's love interest. It was also Carlo who suggested that they get Toto Natividad to direct "Panday." He felt Toto is the perfect director for the series since he has made his mark as a director of action movies and Fernando Poe, Jr. would be pleased to know that Toto had been entrusted to handle the directorial chores of "Panday."

Direk Carlo was very pleased when he saw the pilot episode of "Panday" and added that he and Donna made the right move in giving the blessing to ABS-CBN to transfer the story of "Panday" into a TV series.

* * *

Inspirational Diva Jamie Rivera is celebrating her 18th year in showbiz this year and during the launch of her brand new album titled "At Her Best," she said that a lot of wonderful memories of almost two decades in the business are coming back to her mind as she sings her hits like "Hey It's Me," "Mahal Naman Kita," "Awit Para Sa Iyo," "Pansinin Mo Naman Ako," among others. Jamie comes full circle and traces her roots by coming out with a pop album as she marks another milestone in her career.

Even if she had been given the title Inspirational Diva because of her inspirational albums, Jamie would like to go back to her roots as a pop singer. "I want the people to remember that I started out as a pop artist and even if I've been associated with inspirational songs, I still love to do pop music," said Jamie.

She's not turning her back in doing inspirational music. "I've been approached many times by a lot of people who told me that I was able to touch their lives because of my inspirational songs and it really felt good to have made a difference in their lives. It's very touching to hear such comments," she said.

"I am really happy to know that they are able to relate to my songs but ever since I did inspirational songs, I've often been ask to sing in weddings, during the Lenten season, even in wakes. Nakakagulat pero it's true. Siguro nga kasi iba ang dating ng inspirational songs sa mga tao."

* * *

Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano leaves tomorrow for the second leg of his US concert but he had a press conference-cum-album launch last week at the ABS-CBN for his album under Star Records titled "Pure Heart." This is his first album under Star Records and it contains theme songs of several Star Cinema movies, including the current hit "Ikaw Lamang" from the movie "Dubai."

But this doesn't mean Gary has severed his ties with Universal Records since he is still under contract with the record company. In fact, he's finishing a new album - pop-themed album - to be released next year. "The reason Pure Heart pushed through with Star Records was because the late Bella Tan allowed us to do this project since she knew I've recorded several movie theme songs for Star Cinema and doing a compilation album would be good for me as well."

"This is a new experience for me. I may not be moving on to another company but it feels great to be able to get the chance to work with Star Records, and I'm hoping to do other projects with them in the future," said Gary.

Barely two weeks since the release of the album, "Pure Heart" has reached the Certified Gold status, with sales of over 15,000 units and counting. At the rate the album's sales is going, it will surely turn Platinum in no time. The "ASAP 05" mainstay and co-host received his Gold Record Award yesterday in "ASAP 05."

Gary also launched yesterday the new single of the album titled "Destiny" which also features Ms. Ella May Saison. Also in the "Pure Heart" album are the songs "Because of You," "How Did You Know," "Anak," and "Kailangan Kita."

Gary is all set to promote the album in the second leg of his US tour. He performs in Seattle, Washington on October 28, Cache Creek, California on October 30, Tampa, Florida on November 4, Atlantic City, New Jersey on November 5, Pechanga, California on November 11 and Los Angeles, California on November 12. He will be away for five weeks.