Michelle hits the right notes

MANILA, Philippines - If you want to spare your ears from piercing vocal calisthenics of some local artists, listen to Michelle’s Back In Time. As the album title promises, Michelle will bring you to that time when recording meant hitting the right notes, clearly enunciating words for better appreciation and singing from the heart without straining the vocal cords.

“It is a compilation of songs from the ‘50s (and ‘60s),” Michelle describes the nine-track album. “These are the songs of my younger years. I grew up with them. (With that), I have become a lover of the oldies and standards.”

The listener will be treated to the classic, enduring music of Cliff Richard (Constantly, Ocean Deep,) Elvis Presley (Are You Lonesome Tonight?, Love Me Tender, Can’t Help Falling In Love, It’s Now Or Never) and Doris Day (Teacher’s Pet, Secret Love). Michelle also has an original song titled Lambing.

Back In Time, however, is not the typical compilation album because the tracks are reinvented and improvised for young people to appreciate. Michelle’s soothing, relaxed voice and Kettle Mata’s conservative yet updated arrangement make every song sound different and original. You get that first-time feeling.

“The album is like going back to that life which is uncomplicated — free from work and stress,” shares Michelle. “It’s about enjoying the simple things in life — simple lyrics with simple messages.”

Michelle has never been this happier in life because she has finally come up with an album that shows who she is as an artist. All the songs are her personal choices.

“This is the kind of music I want to sing,” says Michelle. “This is really me. It’s a dream come true. An artist knows what song or album fits him.”

Back in Time sees Michelle in her comfort zone. She doesn’t have to compromise her creativity to launch the album commercially. After all what Michelle wants to do is share her music and entertain.

Away from the limelight, Michelle has a music school called StarDev which trains children who aspire to become singers and performers. Back in Time is Michelle’s testament to her young wards that they can dream big. 

Mentored by Dulce and Ivy Violan, Michelle feels she must be doing something good. Proof is a woman’s reaction after she heard Michelle perform The Prayer. The woman approached and told her that “you have touched me.” Touching people’s lives through song is another reason why Michelle has kept on singing all these years.

Michelle is now in L.A. after her successful concert at the Music Museum. She’s undergoing training with Seth Riggs, vocal coach of Michael Jackson, Natalie Cole, Stevie Wonder, Anita Baker, Barbra Streisand and Diana Ross to name a few.

Michelle will share all the vocal and singing techniques Riggs will teach her to her young students.