MUSIC LYF: Christian Bautista’s ‘Soundtrack’ hits platinum

Asia’s Romantic Balladeer Christian Bautista proved that he is still one of the most reliable male singers in the country with his latest record award – a Platinum Record Award for his latest album “Soundtrack.” The awarding happened at “Sunday All Stars” last Sunday, June 8.

“This is a surprise,” says Christian. “You are good at keeping this to me.” 

Christian was awarded by Universal Records Managing Director Kathleen Dy-Go. During the said episode, Christian also performed his duet with Julie Ann San Jose – their rendition of “Cruisin.”

Christian thanked his fans Christian Friends for their support to the album, and his sponsors.

Soundtrack includes memorable theme songs from the most romantic movies of all time. It includes the hit “Up Where We Belong,” theme from “Empress Ki.” “A Thousand Years” is also part of the album.

Christian also tapped some of the best female singers to collaborate with him. Former sweetheart Rachelle Ann Go joins him in their rendition of “The Way We Were.”

Perennial stage leading lady Karylle performs the romantic “After All” with Christian. Nikki Gil also lends her beautiful voice in the duet “Come What May.”

Aiza Seguerra pays tribute to Maestro Ryan Cayabyab in new album

Years ago, Universal Records gathered the biggest rock acts to pay tribute to the APO Hiking Society in the album “Kami NApo Muna.” This was followed by Ogie Alcasid’s tribute to George Canseco (“Ngayon At Kailanman”) and Christian Bautista’s tribute to Jose Mari Chan (“Romance Revisited”).

This year, Aiza Seguerra pays tribute to Maestro Ryan Cayabyab in the album “Araw Gabi: Mga Awit ni Maestry Ryan.” This is Aiza’s first album under Universal Records.

The album, composed of some of the most-loved Ryan Cayabyab compositions, also features Mr. C playing the piano for the first single “Tuwing Umuulan At Kapiling Ka.”

“Napaka-special ng album nito kasi binigyan ko ng sarili kong take ang pinakasikat na compositions ni Mr. Ryan Cayabyab,” says Aiza.  “Ang sarap ka-trabaho niya kasi maski Maestro na siya, he listens to my inputs.”

MUSIC LYF: Japanese goes… Pinoy!

imademo aishiteru : a cute japinoy love story

Completely adapting to Pinoy Lifestyle remains a perennial yet worthwhile quest for pure Japanese singer AISAKU YOKOGAWA. Over the course of his career as a Tagalog singing Japanese artist, he has remained truly grateful for being well-accepted in the local music industry. Since the successful release of his debut album ‘IKAW PA RIN’ which features the auspicious title track popularized by Ted Ito, the Japanese singer has continuously been receiving various major awards and recognition as a recording artist, a performer and even as a host.

Now that his singing career has grown by leaps and bounds, there's just no stopping Aisaku in conquering more unexplored territories. 2015 indeed opened a new door of opportunity for him to develop his talent not only in singing but in composing as well. This year, he was also given the chance to release an original song which helped finally establish himself in a totally unique genre -  the Nihonggo-infused OPM genre. His digitally launched single ‘IMADEMO AISHITERU’  (Hanggang Ngayon Ikaw Ang Mahal Ko) likewise gained a considerable amount of airplay on Metro Manila's pop radio stations. The song was composed/written by Aisaku's friend and producer Robster Evangelista. IMADEMO AISHITERU is being heavily requested by Aisaku's newly discovered fans - the chinky -eyed and Tagalog-speaking foreignoy.

MUSIC LYF: Grammy 2015 Nominees - Commercial and Critical Success

Bound to prove commercial and critical success can intertwine as the two stood side by side on the year 2014, the newest in the GRAMMY Nominees album series comes out this year featuring the most significant acts in music in the past year. "The exceptional mix of recordings featured on this year's compilation not only represent a roster of incredibly talented artists but also provides a unique playlist showcasing some of this year's outstanding GRAMMY nominees. It is fitting that our 21st instalment album contains 21 exciting selections which music fans are sure to enjoy," Neil Portnow, the President/CEO of The Recording Academy, expressed.

The GRAMMY 2015 Nominees album is sure to deliver the same, if not more, of the mojos that the previous ones in the decade have as instant classics emblazon the compilation’s tracklist–all of which have their eyes on only the top Grammy categories, anticipating their golden gramophones on the 8th of February later this year.

MUSIC LYF: AC/DC " ROCK OR BUST’ Reaches #1 In 10 Countries So Far

AC/DC are back to topping charts around the globe with their 15th studio album ‘Rock or Bust.’ Released globally last week, ‘Rock or Bust,’ debuts at #1 on sales charts in 10 Countries so far including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Switzerland, Finland, France, Norway, Sweden, and Germany where it’s the fastest selling international album in nearly ten years and sold more in its first week than all other international albums on the chart combined. In addition ‘Rock or Bust’ debuted in the top five in a total of 25 countries including the U.S., UK, Spain, Poland, New Zealand, Japan, Czech Republic, Italy, Denmark, Netherlands, and Hungary. In the U.S the band debuted at number 3 on the Billboard Top 200 chart selling over 174,000 albums in its first week.

Maja's "BELIEVE" First OPM Record To Be Mastered For iTunes

Maja Salvador will be leaving a huge footprint on the music scene with her debut album “Believe”. And it is not loosely said so. As apart from the album being certified Gold last June (only 2 months after the official release) and obtaining an official Vevo channel on YouTube with views summing up to almost 6 million, the album takes the cake off the plate of its contemporaries once again by becoming the first OPM album to be mastered for iTunes.

A “mastered for iTunes” song is a digitally downloadable track on iTunes, taking legs of optimization to make every bit of it in the highest definition possible and as close to how artists and their production team intend every song to be heard as possible, while keeping the music file size down for portability and for more efficient digital distribution.

MUSIC LYF: Christian Bautista’s new album Soundtrack zooms to top of charts on first week of release

Christian Bautista’s much-awaited album Soundtrack immediately snatched the top spot in music charts, only a week after its release.

Christian had a super successful album launches over the weekend – Eastwood, and Market Market.

Soundtrack, Christian’s first album in two years, includes memorable theme songs from the most romantic movies of all time.

The album’s first single Up Where We Belong, the theme from the movie “An Officer and a Gentleman,” has already been chosen by GMA as the theme of its newest koreanovela “Empress Ki.”

MUSIC LYF: Richard Poon sings hits of Burt Bacharach in new album

The country’s premiere crooner Richard Poon interprets some of Burt Bacharach’s biggest hits in her new album aptly titled “The Crooner Sings Bacharach.” This is Richard’s second album with Universal Records, after the album “Legends,” which was awarded Gold.

The album consists of 12 Bacharach classics including “What The World Needs Now,” “I Say A Little Prayer,” “Don’t Make Me Over,” “Close To You,” “Raindrops Keeps Falling On My Head,” among others.

“I think this is the best album I’ve ever done ever kasi even my record label executives are raving about it,” shares Richard. “It’s a nice album taas kamay ko sa mga arrangers ko.”

“The Crooner Sings Bacharach” will have an album launch this October 3, Friday, Shangrila Plaza East Wing. Advanced copies of the album will be sold at the venue.

MUSIC LYF: JM De Guzman back On Track With His Latest Single

After a year-long of absence from the entertainment scene, JM DE GUZMAN is back!

JM de Guzman has gone through some personal matters that drove him away and took a year off from show business. He was last seen on TV in his own teleserye, entitled, “Angelito: Ang Bagong Yugto” almost two years ago.

Now, the once considered “Prince Of Drama” is back on track with his latest single, “Have I Told You Lately” (an original by Rod Stewart). This is the third single from his second album, “Tensionado”.

Released under IVORY Music & Video, “Tensionado” is a collection of JM De Guzman’s renditions of his favorite songs featuring “Akin Ka Na Lang” by Itchyworms, “Lost In Space” by Lighthouse Family , “Don’t Give Up On Us” by David Soul and “Tensionado” by Soapdish. In addition, you surely wouldn’t want to let go of JM’s collaboration with Acoustic Diva, Suy, in their version of special track, “Terrified”.

REEL DEAL: Ella Henderson Debuts With "Ghost"

A British singer-songwriter, Ella Henderson arrived with the release of her debut single, “Ghost” on June 8th through Syco Music.

Ella was a finalist on the ninth series of The X Factor in 2012 and finished in sixth place and subsequently signed to Syco Music. The single went straight to No. 1 in the UK.

Ghost is a song Ella co-wrote with Ryan Tedder, who was recently named Billboard’s songwriter of the year for his work with the likes of Beyoncé and Adele.  The collaboration came about after Ryan heard Ella’s voice on a Drake cover and said “It took listening to her sing half of a cover song to convince me she has an insanely bright future.” The pair started work on Ghost in a writing session in London and finished it when Ella flew to his hometown of Denver in January. “I was in the vocal booth in Ryan’s studio recording the vocals just as I turned 18, it was a surreal moment,” recalls Ella.

MUSIC LYF: A new ‘Your Year’ for Malay; launch this July 2

The road to the release of alternative band Malay’s debut CD is unlike any local releases. Years ago, the band digitally released “Your Year.” Due to insistent public demand, the band decided to re-record all the songs from the digital album and include two new tracks for the release of the 2014 version of “Your Year,” which will be launched this July 25 at Last Home, Ortigas Home Depot.

The album launch features performances from Malay and other bands. Entrance to the launch is the band’s CD.

MUSIC LYF: KYLA shares her journey to home

New album “Journey” out in the market via PolyEast Records

After a long break from releasing music, the country’s R&B princess Kyla is back full force with a stronger R&B sound and a passion for showing emotions through her music. Her debut in 2000 up to this date have talked so much celebrated as one of the most uniquely talented artists of her generation, but the new album “Journey” via PolyEast Records proves that she still holds the title.

“I have come from a long journey to finally release a new album again and I can say, it feels to great to be back. This new album brings so much excitement and fulfillment in my career that now I have a family of my own, I’m back to what I love doing the most—singing and recording songs for my fellow music lovers” she adds.

MUSIC LYF: Johnoy Danao Launches Samu't Sari Under Universal Records

From his maintream debut at PhilPop, Johnoy Danao is now penetrating the mainstream music industry, and I think he deserves more spotlight being a talented singer-composer who loves what he is doing and makes his own style of music. 

Johnoy has also a large following online with rave reviews about his music which should be discovered by the public. Now with the launch of "Samu't Sari", the public can get to know about him and his acoustics.

Johnoy Danao sells the music in first mainstream album

Dubbed as the must-have OPM album of the year, Johnoy Danao’s first mainstream album Samu’t-Sari boasts of songs that tackle love in its different faces. This is Johnoy’s first album under a major record label, and he chose Universal Records to take care of his songs.

MUSIC LYF: Boy band 1:43 puts a new twist to KPop in third album

OFTEN mistaken for Korean pop superstars, proudly all-Filipino boy band 1:43 (one forty-three) gives the term KPop a whole new meaning in their third album titled #KalyePop.

Due for release this April under MCA Music, the EP titled #KalyePop (KPop) is composed of six strong original tracks from the foremost Filipino boy band that popularized “Sa Isang Sulyap Mo,” the monster hit song that won the 2013 PMPC Star Award for Music “Song of the Year.”

“#KalyePop or KPop is our humble contribution to the rebirth of the local music industry. We hope that our new musical direction will advance our mission of winning back the Filipino audiences to Original Pilipino Music (OPM),” says boy band spokesman Anjo Resurreccion.

MUSIC LYF: Myk Perez BlogCon

From the Voice of the Philippines and now officially and recording artist under MCA Music (Universal Music Philippines), Myk Perez has now  starting his music path after the talent show. This is the real test of musicians to make it big, and having their own album is the start. 

Being part now of the MCA Family, he is joined by his batchmates in the Voice of the Philippines like Mitoy, Janice, and Paolo Onesa. Having a distinct voice that souns soulful and works well with acoustic fits his debut album "My Acoustic".

On this album, he included the songs he performed for the Voice and also an original track "Honey Under the Moon" which he composed. He also collaborated with other artists for "Two is Better Than One" with Krissy Villongo of Krissy and Ericka and "Almost Is Never Enought" with Sabrina for her album "I Love Acoustic 6".

MUSIC LYF: Eyedress - Hearing Colors Album

“Eyedress sounds like nobody but himself. Keep your eye on what he does next” – NME

“Set to do to Manila, what Arcade Fire did to Montreal and Pulp did to Sheffield” ~ Dazed

“Spacey songs by young Filipinos about nearly killing your girlfriend while hiking aren’t nearly common enough these days” – The Guardian

On April 10th Eyedress releases his brand new mixtape ‘Hearing Colors’ and it features 12 brand new tracks recorded in his bedroom in Manila. It is the follow up to his debut EP ‘Supernatural’ (released last year).

MUSIC LYF: Gloc-9’s Myx Music Awards bodes well for mainstream Pinoy music

Gloc-9 won four major awards in the Myx Music Awards 2014 (MMA2014), the most for any artist who was nominated.

But what is more important about this win, is not so much the fact that Gloc-9 won in four out of six categories that he was nominated in, nor that he won four times more than any other artist.

It is that Gloc-9 won it for a song like “Magda.”

The idea of Magdalena is not new. The legend that is Freddie Aguilar introduced us to “Magdalena” in the early 1980’s, a folk song about the plight of a girl who was misunderstood because of the work she was forced into doing. In the Aguilar song, Magdalena is seen as “sawimpalad,” living a wretched life, where her story is one of choicelessness.

MUSIC LYF: XSCAPE - Long Awaited New Music From Michael Jackson

Epic Chief L.A. Reid Teams Up With Top Producers To "Contemporize" Songs From Iconic Artist's Archive

On May 13, Epic Records, in conjunction with the Estate of Michael Jackson, will release XSCAPE, an album of new music by the internationally beloved music icon and King of Pop, Michael Jackson. The project features eight new tracks, which the world will be hearing for the very first time on the new album. For the ultimate fan experience, XSCAPE will also be available in a Deluxe Edition, which includes all of the sourced Michael Jackson recordings in their original form. The XSCAPE standard and Deluxe Edition's are available for pre-order beginning April 1 on iTunes.com/MichaelJackson and elsewhere, and available at all retailers worldwide on May 13. In the Philippines, the album will be distributed by Ivory Music & Video, the exclusive licensee of Sony Music.

XSTIG: Maja Salvador and Coby USA Team Up for Dahan-Dahan in 7” Tablet

Following the release of ABS CBN talent Maja Salvador’s first album Believe, leading smart device purveyor Coby USA once again teams up with the Dance Floor Princess as she gears up for a full-on media campaign of her next track, Dahan-Dahan.

As Coby’s local brand ambassador, Maja Salvador has been granted full support by the mobile device maker since the release of her first album “Believe”, which come Pre-loaded in Coby tablets. As part of the ongoing collaboration between Coby and Maja’s record company Ivory Music, Coby has incorporated Dahan-Dahan into their latest dual core 3G tablet with TV, the MID 7015 3G (SRP P 4995 only). The Android Jellybean-run 7-incher includes the official music video for the track as part of its pre-installed applications so Maja fans can listen and sing to the tune whenever, wherever.

MUSIC LYF: Maja Salvador Releases New Album “Believe”

Gusto ko ma-prove na singer din ako, na kaya kong kumanta. Parang ‘si Maja, hindi lang sya umaarte, hindi lang sya sumasayaw, pero kaya din niyang ibigay lahat sa music, sa paggawa ng isang kanta’.

It was not a long time ago when Kapamilya star, Maja Salvador, appeared on Gandang Gabi Vice and shared that she’s serious about pursuing singing as a career, “Gusto ko na, kaya nga ako nag-tour kasi 10 years na ako sa business.” She even shared that she was taking voice lessons from Annie Quintos of The Company.

“Gusto ko i-share sa kanila [sa fans] na meron akong bagong minamahal, which is yung pag-kanta. Sobrang swerte lang na may nakarinig ng boses ko from Ivory Music na yun nga, willing silang gumawa ng album ko.” It was December 2013 when Maja signed a recording contract with Ivory Music & Video. After months of excitement and anticipation, the actress-turned-singer unleashes her talent in singing with her debut album BELIEVE!