New local CDs out to create impact

MANILA, Philippines - Three commercially viable local albums have reached the market in the hope of making some noise this 2012. The fact that interesting back-stories can be told behind their creations may serve as extra push for them to really tap the listeners’ undecipherable taste. Here they are:

One of the golden voices of OPM has returned to his old label Vicor Music for a self-titled new album that intriguingly includes his middle initial S which stands for Salvador. Basil S. Valdez is a 19-song package that renders mostly modern classics via the singer’s patented voice.

The tracks revived include Muntik Nang Maabot Ang Langit (True Faith), Kung Ako Na Lang Sana, (Bituin Escalante), Pagdating Ng Panahon (Aiza Seguerra), Ikaw Na Nga (Willie Revillame) and Kanlungan (Buklod), the CD’s carrier single. 

To those who have followed Basil’s career, his new album may taste like an icing on the cake, counting his repertoire that virtually is now a list of karaoke favorites. Name it: Ngayon At Kailanman, Hindi Kita Malilimutan, Kastilyong Buhangin, Tuwing Umuulan At Kapiling Ka, You, among others.

His version of Willie’s song is proof that even a number from a novelty singer easily becomes a pop standard when he sings it. Vicor representatives echo, “It’s all about giving these songs the Basil Valdez treatment and what a job he has done on these numbers. His singing has gotten better with age and proof of it lies in this album.”

The singer, who by observation is one of those few who can hit high notes without ever losing his smile, also did his take on classic Tagalog songs like Sana’y Maghintay Ang Walang Hanggan and Minsan Pa.

Anna Melissa: Lonely, pretty woman out to find true love?

Moy Ortiz, who co-wrote Aiza’s signature hit with Edith Gallardo, tagged along the rest of The CompanY for vocal harmonies that peppered their and Basil’s own version of that super single. 

Singing duo Krissy & Ericka, on the other hand, has gone beyond being a Youtube sensation after getting signed up by major label MCA and now invited for a series of performances abroad. As guest for rising act AJ Rafael, the duo is reaching audiences in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore.

It’s a plus they’re promoting their sophomore CD, released across Southeast Asia and banked on their original Twelve: Fifty One which is also the album’s title. They expressed to have put together the CD in a more fulfilling atmosphere as they were hands-on with it. “Here we achieved an acoustic sound which the first album didn’t because of its live band feel. It’s really fulfilling because we have our original as single,” noted Krissy, the songwriter between the two.

The more musically technical Ericka revealed there was much mental preparation this time as compared to their debut released in 2009. “We communicate even better now,” she said.

The sister act collaborated with Marie Digby, AJ and The Lamars for the new CD which boasts of stirring cover versions of Change The World (Eric Clapton), Last Friday Night (Katy Perry) and That Should Be Me (Justin Bieber).

Meanwhile, Anna Melissa, former lead vocalist of band Arko and youngest member of the defunct Vanna Vanna, admitted to having issues with men after a string of opportunists she met along the way. On a positive note, this matter transformed into a central theme empowering her songwriting for her self-titled debut CD. She’d rather reveal “details” through her bitter love songs like the carrier single, Makakaasa Ka, and two other worth-noting originals titled Pangako and Unbelievable Man.

“I just want to score a hit song so at least kapag may makakita sa akin, they would say, ‘Siya yung kumanta nun,” she said in a chat.

Anna, who idolizes Adele and covered the British singer’s Rolling In The Deep, once worked with rock icon Rico Blanco after the latter heard her sing for her ex-band. As solo, she sat with Jimmy Bondoc for her revival of Hanggang Dito Na Lang, which the former Sabado Boy penned.

The shy-type ex-Masscom student appears wary of men preying on a woman’s physical attributes with sinister motives. Such fear develops her un-relaxed attitude in communicating with the opposite sex. For that matter, big thanks to her singing gift since she loosens up once on stage. Writing songs have become her therapy.