MYMP singer to go solo?

It’s not uncommon news for a lead singer to go solo. Juris Fernandez of the multi-platinum selling acoustic-pop duo MYMP is herself going solo—but not without the blessing and prodding of the other half of the double act, Chin Alcantara, who will be her solo album’s producer.

Despite rumors, there’s no disbanding for MYMP as this development forms part of their efforts to expand their horizons, so to speak. In that solo album, Chin said they plan on maximizing Juris’ signature velvety voice. No, we won’t be expecting her to go headbang and rock, but it will be something stand-alone from what she has done in previous albums. The album is tentatively scheduled for release February next year.

Meantime, MYMP is busy promoting their new album “Now,” wherein Chin said they’ve introduced a country music atmosphere (ala Allison Krauss-cum-Jewel) in terms of arrangements. Is this a new direction for MYMP? Does this “crossover” have something to do with the “dead state of the acoustic scene” (Chin’s words, not mine) in the country’s recording industry?

Chin said it wasn’t much of a transition because he thinks if the acoustic label was removed, MYMP sounded country from the very start. He also feels that they are more defined in terms of sound and song selection in this “Now” album.

MYMP had a Cebu launch of the album under Ivory Records at SM City Cebu’s The Northwing over the weekend in the presence of the Cebuana composer of its two original tracks, singer-songwriter Cattski Espina. Over talk at Gerry’s Grill, it was revealed that Cattski simply submitted demo songs to the group’s manager, Carla (who’s also Cebuana) for consideration, but were immediately liked by MYMP and carried on their latest album.

Cattski said, “I’m really happy with what they did with the songs.”

The carrier single “Now” is a breezy yet number with very straightforward lyrics (Loving is not owning/We can let it go/You can let me go), the meaning of which is amplified by Juris’ unmistakably crystal clear vocals. Cattski’s other song, “Wishlist,” is the album’s upbeat, Christmas-themed closing number—another composition seamlessly in sync with the feel of “Now.” This goes to say MYMP found a gem in Cattski, and I look forward to more collaborations between them in the future.

MYMP will also have one-night “back-to-back-to-back” concert with Side A and Freestyle on December 1, 2008 at the Araneta Coliseum.  

MYMP’s album launch kicked off what’s expected to be a succession of entertainment-filled weekends for the entire month of November at SM City Cebu. Last Saturday, former Rivermaya frontman Rico Blanco, who shocked the music biz when he quit from one of the country’s most enduring rock bands, performed at the SM Entertainment Plaza (more on our interview with him in a separate article). According to RJ Leduna, SM Cebu’s PR manager, Richard Poon and Sitti will hold a concert on Nov. 22, followed by mall visits of actor Gabby Concepcion and crooner Christian Bautista, who is fresh from his theatre stint in “West Side Story” on Nov. 23. Christopher Cross, the American artist behind the hit songs “Sailing” and “Think of Laura” is, on the other hand, set to meet his fans at The Northwing Atrium on November 28, 2008.