What's on My PlayLisT?

Kadangyan @ Penguin Gallery

2007-06-13T02:53:00.000-07:00

A dynamic performance by the neo-tribal rock and roll band Kadangyan (from Cebuano dialect meaning 'rich in culture'). Luv that attitude man!

Ultimate Nostalgia

2007-05-29T20:10:00.000-07:00

What could be more nostalgic than watching a youtube broadcast of an LP (Vinyl) playing a Black Sabbath tune, NIB??? Some people might think this is stupid and so on,but hey, just to show you how hitech can also be so lowtech?? Enjoy the video of the record spinning while tripping the good old days.

B'laan Tribe From South Cotabato

2007-05-24T00:24:00.000-07:00

Here's a video of the Blaan Tribe which played at the Penguin Gallery last 2006. We actually met them at a gig in Mandarin Hotel, where they were among the performers invited to the event.

Too bad the lighting was not that good, otherwise it would have a been a feast for the eyes, watching the graceful movement of the dancers in their traditional garb.

Vinyl Records... The 2nd Coming?

2007-05-23T06:24:00.000-07:00

A couple of months ago, I wrote about the 'death' and how I missed the lost 'art' of album covers in records or LPs. For those born after the 'seventies' and baby boomer era, our primary source of music comes from those black rounded plastics, measuring from 7 inches to 12 inches in diameter. To play and hear music, you must have a machine or equipment called 'turntable' , popularize by the so called DJ's. I belong to that time when partying means bringing loads and loads of records. 'Spinning' is an art. You have to keep the party people happy and the only way to keep them happy (besides other things) is to create the 'sound' and atmosphere so that people will be up on their feet the whole night, up to the wee hours of the morning.

This year I found myself searching and ultimately bought a second hand turntable (thanks to PinoyDVD and Wiredstate guys). And with it, began my 'journey' back to the time when music was sacred and ritualistic. Here is a picture of my first acquisition, Technics SL1900 spinning happily ever after.

Listening to records once again is more than a 'trip' down memory lane. I know. I own and listen to a lot of CD's (which must be running to a thousand by now), mp3 players (IPODS and some China made ipod ipodan, meaning imitation IPODS he he). You cannot simply deny the superior acoustical quality of music coming from these records/LPs. I don't think this is an elitist audiophile statement. Siimply put, music on vinyl sounds a lot better. I listen to MP3 only for convenience, of course I don't intend to carry turntables around. If ever, there is also what I called 'digital fatigue'. I experienced this after listening to a digitalized music after sometime.

Pinoy Soul-Juan Pablo Dream

2007-05-07T19:36:00.000-07:00

A recent video of the soul/jazz group Juan Pablo Dream@PEngUIN GaLLEry...simply groooovy! Watch the dance moves.

2007-04-07T23:31:00.000-07:00

Ronnie Lazaro's poetry cum txt at the Penguin Gallery

Here's Ronnie Lazaro, stage and screen actor doing his bit of poetry during Eghai Roxas' opening at the Penguin last February 2007.

2007-04-07T05:58:00.000-07:00

A rare blues jam between guitarist Bo Razon, and Jun Lupito and an all star cast of personnel, Simon Tan on bass, Mar Dizon on drums, Henry K on the keyboards (playing a mean "Hammond sounding solo") and guest trumpet player and Rolly of Coco jam (he should have played his guitar though.....)

Some nights are indeed very lucky!

2007-04-06T08:06:00.000-07:00

Tropic Asya Live at Penguin

Just when you thought every pinoy musicians have gone to the "greener" pastures.. here comes Floro straight from HongKong (playing for a group in some hotel in HK doing cowboy songs?) for a one night jam with his friends. Where else but at the Pguin???

2007-04-06T07:04:00.000-07:00

Mobster Manila Live at Penguin 2007.

Here's a video clip of Manila Mobster recent gig at Penguin.. The guys play a mean ska/punk that night.
Watch the end part though, the bassist seems to have a very urgent call on his cel.... must be a record deal?????

2007-01-04T23:51:00.000-08:00

Album : The Lost Grooves (Rare and Previously Unreleased Slices of Funk from the Vaults of Blue Note)

After a long long while (excuse me) this is the 2nd installment of the joys of finding gems in 2nd hand CD's and vinyl shops. The Album 'The Lost Grooves' (Rare and ....) is a compilation of unreleased music from Blue Note Label, circa 1967-68. This is the period of what I called "Hammond Organ" based music, wherein the Hammond Organ played a major part in most jazz and rock composition. I bought this CD, together with some other "gems" (about 15 pcs I think, he he he) and literally have to store them 'illegally' in our luggage to avoid any untoward incident which might happen to me if my wife 'accidentally' discovers this horde.

Evidently, upon hearing the tunes of this CD, today's generation will be quite familliar with the songs and might even mistake it for some being 'new' and probably MTV inspired. Of course this is entirely wrong. It just shows how much of today's music is either borrowed or influenced by the past.

The opening number, "Hold on I Coming' interpreted by guitarist Rueben Wilson definitely sets the funky groove of the entire CD. I particularly liked the interplay between the toned down guitar and the hammond organ which weaves every now and then to the composition. Familiar names such as Lou Donaldson and Stanley Turentine also contributes this compilation. I just wonder why the guys at Blue Note did not released this CD earlier. They probably had the magic crystal ball that told them to 'keep' this gem until the right time comes, when everything 'old' becomes 'new' again. Nothing in this compilation can be thrown away. At the very least it should put a smile on your face. At UK 4.00 (roughly less than Php 400.) this is a steal. Current price at Amazon.com is around US $11.00

Track Listing

1. Hold on I'm Coming
2. It's Your Thing
3. The Scorpio
4. Hey Western Union Man
5. Brother Soul
6. Village Lee
7. Spooky (This is a different 'Spooky')
8. Dancin is an Easy Groove
9. You want me to Stop Lovin You.

2006-10-22T20:26:00.000-07:00

Finding Treasures in 2nd Hand CD's and Vinyl Shops
One of joys of travelling (besides site seeing, food, wine tasting and simply bumming around) is checking out the local market for 2nd hand CD's shops and vinyl records. On my recent trip to the UK, I checked the shops and as usual found the CD shops in Camden Market (such as rough trade) filled with treasure trove of new music, world beat and some rare jazz treasures.

This is a series of the CD's which I have had the pleasure of listening and ultimately buying, much to the chagrin of my wife (i can almost hear her now.. NOT AGAIN ANOTHER CD!!!) The prices range from UK 2.00 to 6.00 (roughly translated to about Php 200 - 600). Not bad considering the cost of new CDs (typical between 10.00 - 16.00) in Europe and the States is almost beyond the reach of us ordinary Pinoys.

1. Ojos de Brujo - Bari
Released sometime in 2004, this is Ojos de Brujo 2nd CD. Consisting of 13 tracks of non stop flamenco, hip hop and pure organic percussion beat. From the 1st cut simply entitled "Intro" to last titled "Rememonix" this CD brings Flamenco music one notch higher from being a Spanish tradition to the mainstream world beat. I particularly found the combination of scratch machine and cahons (those wooden percussion beat boxes popularize unfortunately here in the Philippines by the so called "accoustic groups AKA diva wanna bes) intriguing at the very least. While flamenco purist would surely 'frown' of this rather eccentric mix of musical styles (i called it "urban guerilla flamenco"), this is for me what music should be... obviously influenced and grounded from the past, but forward looking to the future.

Tracks Listing
1. Intro
2. Tiempo de Soleil
3. Ventilaor
4. Naita
5. Queen Engana no gana
6. Zembra (This is my fav!)
7. Ley de Gravidad
8. Meorias Perdias
9. Tanguillo de Maria
10.Buleria del Ay
11.Cafe Bari
12.Accion Raccion Repurcussion (a mix of cahon, tabla and turntable!!!)
13. Rememorix

Unfortunately, they costs something like US 15.00 for new CD. I was fortunate to get them at UK 4.00!!

2006-04-05T21:52:00.000-07:00

Album : Translating the Gongs
Artist : Bob Aves

This is Bob Aves' second CD after the maiden release of "Inner Country". While Inner Country is very "Bob Aves" (in otherwords jazz) sounding, this second offering will surely be a complete surprise to followers of his brand of music.

Translating the Gongs comprises of 9 songs composed either by Bob or adapted from traditional music, mostly from the Maguindanao tribe of Mindanao. While this might sound too eclectic to some listeners, the simplest way to describe the music is.. it ROCKS!

I particularly liked the way Bob tuned/customized his octavina guitar. It has a "round" sound similar to the middle eastern type of lute called Oud but this time with guitar frets. The octavina is a Filipino traditional guitar commonly used in a banduria ensemble. He combines this sound with an array of different types of "gong" instruments such as the Kulintang, Saromay, Agong and western instrumenst such as piano, trumpet, drum kit, flutes, saxes and bass guitar. The sonic quality of the recording is superb. No matter what genre you're into, the album Translating the Gongs is guaranteed to bring you further on your next musical journey.

Cuts:
1. The Outsider
2. Midnight Sinulog
3. All in a Day
4. Dr. Binalig
5. The Summoner
6. Crossing Houses
7. Sa Singkang
8. Senyor Citizen
9. A Lighter Shade of Brass

Personnel:
Bob Aves (octavina), Grace Nono & Faisal Monal(vocal chants), Dan Gil (sax), Tony Maigue (flutes), Roger Llado (trumpet), Joey Quirino (piano), Simon Tan (bass), Koko Bermejo (drums), Bo Razon (percussions)