MANILA, Philippines - Soul singer Thor, whose career is on a resurgence after his stint in The Voice of the Philippines, finally got through the long lull since the release of his star-studded “duets” album in 2007.
He recently launched his new album called Master Of Soul, made up of revivals and originals. It is produced by fast-rising label Cornerstone Music and distributed by Star Records.
The affair, held at the Music Hall in Metrowalk (Ortigas), was likewise star-studded, with apl.de.ap, his coach during his Voice venture, leading the celebrity list of attendees.
Seen watching Thor as he tore up one song after another with his emotive vocals were singers Christian Bautista and Erik Santos; sports anchor Gretchen Ho; radio icon Joe D’ Mango; Slapshock vocalist Jamir Garcia; lady singer Liezel Garcia; and a number of young, up and coming acts belonging to team apl.
Gretchen appears in the music video of Paano Ko Sasabihin, one of the originals penned by topnotch songwriter Jonathan Manalo.
“Kuntento na ako sa pagiging back-up singer. Hindi ko po alam kung anong nakita sa akin ng Cornerstone,” he told the crowd of stars, industry observers and friends.
Cornerstone boss Erickson Raymundo is behind the turnaround success of Richard Poon and Sam Milby, both of whom are premier artists of the talent management house.
Thor’s album, neatly divided into two suites of covers and new tunes, contains versions of James Ingram’s There’s No Easy Way To Break Somebody’s Heart and Whitney Houston’s I Have Nothing. It can be recalled that his rendition of that piece from The Bodyguard movie made him the first four-chair turner during the season one of The Voice aired on ABS-CBN.
He made it into the Top 8, and now appears to enjoy even more success as he takes his singing career to new heights.
Still, Thor prefers crediting others’ humility while he’s on stage, saying something that must have put a smile on the face of a man best known as member of the Black Eyed Peas. He stated, “Si coach apl ang isa sa pinaka-humble na tao na nakilala ko. Maaakbayan nyo po siya at hindi ka maiilang kahit you know that he’s from Black Eyed Peas.”
apl.de.ap was seen personally taking a video of Thor’s performance during the night which Thor opened with his take on the Pharrell Williams hit Happy. He couldn’t resist doing duets, singing songs with Moira and Liezel.
In the album, he partners with Radha in interpreting I Finally Found Someone.
Born Ettore Dulay in Panabo City, Davao del Norte, Thor has been around since 2001, perfecting his chops as a band vocalist, back-up singer and vocal coach. He has shared the stage with the likes of David Foster, David Benoit and Air Supply, as well as fronted for Alicia Keys and Edwin McCain.
That his album is called Master Of Soul only shows his mastery of the genre.
He is also gifted with a natural sense of humor, his spiels often ending in laughter-inducing lines. He said, “Super close po kami ng mga Team apl. We say hi sa online once in a month!”
When he took a break from the set, Thor went back with a scared look and said, “Akala ko wala nang tao paglabas ko.”