The M.Y.M.P. formula

At a time when pop music recordings have gotten too complicated to the point of inanity, samples and overdubs compete for attention and simple notes are bent, twisted or extended to kingdom come, here is proof that the direct approach can make the greatest difference.

The album is a double-CD set titled Versions & Beyond by M.Y.M.P. As you most probably know by now, the initials stand for the words Make Your Momma Proud. Composed of Juris and Chin, this group is truly making their mothers proud, thanks to their being behind one of the biggest selling albums of the moment.

M.Y.M.P. has always been one of the better groups around. The album Soulful Acoustic, released when M.Y.M.P. was still a trio, did quite well for a first effort and had good originals like A Little Bit and Tibok ng Puso plus competently done covers like Every Little Thing (He Does is Magic).

The same formula was followed in their second effort, Beyond Acoustic. Some originals, Get Me, Jam (Set Your Spirits Free), Magical Feeling and Would You Be My Girlfriend and some covers, Kailan, Fast Car and Tell Me Where It Hurts. The spare guitar-based set-up of the first album though has now given way to the use of additional instruments, which puts a truly professional finish to the whole package.

But what is really winning more fans for M.Y.M.P. is the third album, Versions. This one is made up entirely of covers of very popular tunes that Juris and Chin perform in their live gigs. It was really meant as a "thank you" gesture to their followers who keep their performances packed. But you know how Pinoys are when it comes to old songs. They find them very irresistible. So Versions emerged as an even bigger hit.

The songs included are True Colors, Especially for You, Constantly, The Closer I Get to You, Whenever, Wherever, Whatever, Eternal Flame, For All of My Life, Say You Love Me, Beauty and Madness, At Your Best (You are Loved, No Ordinary Love and Nina’s latest hit Love Moves in Mysterious Ways done M.Y.M.P. style.

I used to wonder why M.Y.M.P. was outselling other groups. It turned out that there is really no secret formula. What these two present, is just a combination of well-remembered oldies, simple arrangements and heartfelt, straightforward singing by a beautiful voice. Nice. The effect on the listener is very soothing and makes you wonder why other artists are exhausting themselves by trying too hard to impress.

Versions and Beyond Acoustic are the two albums that make up Versions & Beyond. Buyers save a hundred bucks when they purchase this package instead of getting the albums separately. It is also a good way to better experience the music of M.Y.M.P., light, melodic and sweet.

Top Videos

From MYX, the Filipino music channel, comes this list of the top ranking videos of the past week. M.Y.M.P. is at number nine with Get Me from the Versions and Beyond album. Here goes: Love Moves in Mysterious Ways by Nina; Lumingon Ka Lang by Sarah Geronimo; True by Ryan Cabrera; From The Start by Rachelle Ann Go; Over by Lindsay Lohan; It’s Like That by Mariah Carey; Broken Sonnet by Hale; Akap by Imago; Get Me by M.Y.M.P.; Not That Kinda Girl by Jojo.

Girl by Destiny’s Child; Jopay by Mayonnaise; KLSP by Sponge Cola; Can This Be Love by Sarah Geronimo; Same Ground by Kitchie Nadal; La La by Ashlee Simpson; Let Me Love You by Mario; Mockingbird by Eminem; and Candy Shop, by 50 Cent, the number one song in the hit charts of the US of A finally makes its local debut. Let us see how it will hold up against M.Y.M.P. and company.

Supahstars winners

Meanwhile, do you remember the Supahstars — D’Supah talent search conducted nationwide by the music channel MTV almost a year ago? Well, they have chosen the winners and these lucky guys will be introduced to the public via a launching concert that will be held at 6 p.m. today at the SM Megamall Megastrip B.

Set to perform at the launch are Crizel Banez, Kok Crisostomo, Krizia Daya, Ken Dingle, Buboy Kimpo, Rein Layug and Sitti Navarro. They bested other aspirants from Cebu, Davao, Baguio and Manila and are now ready to show off why they won. The show is open to the public and features Christian Bautista, Nina, Dice & K9 and Juan as guests.