Pinoy Reggae with Brownman Revival

Striking a happy middle ground between the new bands, who are starting to sound alike, and the singing champions, who continue to follow the same formula, is Brownman Revival. These guys are no newcomers. If I remember right they have been around for several years and have kept their integrity intact by only doing the music they believe in. Well, their efforts have finally paid off and their album Steady Lang is a big hit.

There is now massive interest in Brownman Revival thanks to its reggae take on the Eraserheads original Maling Akala. Reggae with a Pinoy flavor is the avowed music of the group and the lilting arrangement it gave Maling Akala evokes fun, fun, fun and gives a new spin to the old tune. Truth to tell listeners caught up with the beat knew they have heard the song before but couldn’t place where because it sounds so different. Now there is nothing Filipino about reggae which originated from the Caribbean but we do share the same tropical weather and lighthearted approach to life approximated by reggae and our native music.

Of course, Brownman Revival reggae is nothing like the real thing introduced to the pop charts by the great Bob Marley. The mold for Steady Lang comes from the more commercial stuff usually dished out by UB40’s Red Red Wine and Big Mountain’s Baby I Love Your Ways. It is smooth, light and very danceable. But I believe that Maling Akala was able to successfully tap into the similarities between the two regions and we were happy enough to get caught in the reggae beat.

Brownman Revival is a big group. It is composed of Dennis Concepcion on drums and back-up vocals, Jao Lanon on bass, Kenneth Gonzales on keyboards, Januarie Sundiang on percussions, Alphy Desaville on guitars and back-up vocals, Jayson Cuevas on trombone, Jojo Antinero on sax, Ambet Abundo on trumpet and Dino Concepcion on vocals. Unlike some of the newer bands, Brownman Revival seems to know its music judging from the able handling to the reggae arrangements and the solid performances in the album.

Maling Akala is the first hit out of Steady Lang. Two other old songs were taken on a reggae trip. These are Binibini, a big hit by the Rainmakers and Ikaw Lang ang Aking Mahal, a ballad popularized by VST&Co. The originals in the album are no less inviting. These are Lintik, Ikaw Forever, Dahan Dahan, Gusto Mo Pa, Ngayong Gabi, Salarin, Jeggae and Under the Reggae Moon, a composition by Dino which sounds like it would make a very strong follow-up single to Maling Akala.

Biyaheng Reggae

Now just in case listening to Brownman Revival has gotten you into reggae mood, you might want to check out Biyaheng Reggae by Boy2 Quizon. The artist is Dolphy’s grandson and nephew to Eric, Jeffrey and other Quizons in showbiz. He is a popular model and fast-rising actor. Here he shows off his songwriting skills and flair for reggae music.

The album includes Biyaheng Reggae, featuring Ayana Oliva, Ragarabo, featuring Mike Swift, Para Sa ‘yo, White Sand Beach, featuring Gio Alvarez, Bulong ng Damdamin, also featuring Ayana, Evolve It by MC Dash; All That We Have featuring Sammy Asuncion of SPY, Let It From Within, Straight No Chaser and Celebrate Your Life.

Rock bar tour

The For Those About to Rock Bar Tour 2005 starts tonight, with a massive opening gig at the Hard Rock Café in Glorietta, Makati. Starring a powerhouse cast made up of Dicta License, Barbie Almalbis, Stonefree, Jon the Club and Juana, the show is also set to invade Dish at ABS-CBN in Quezon City on Tuesday, Nov. 8; the Café Saguijo Bar in Makati on Tuesday, Nov. 15; and the Phi Restobar at Metrowalk in Ortigas.

Pinoy MYX weekly countdown

The Pinoy MYX Countdown for the week still has Hale’s Kahit Pa at No. 1. The rest of the Top 20 tunes are Sorry by Cueshé; I Need You by Mark Bautista; I Will Never Leave You by Erik Santos; Love Can’t Lie by Sarah Geronimo; Talaga Naman by M.Y.M.P.; Sunday Driving by Rivermaya; Mang Jose by Parokya ni Edgar; Pinoy Ako by Orange and Lemons; Gemini by Sponge Cola; Especially for You by M.Y.M.P.; In The Name of Love by Yasmien Kurdi; Patawad by Chubibo; Here I Am Again by Rachelle Ann Go; Tumatakbo by Mojofly; Tensionado by Soapdish; I Love You Goodbye by Nina; Ang Ating Araw by Dicta License; and Heaven Knows by Orange and Lemons.