Philippine Music bits on Pinoy bands and singers

The Lumanog name is synonymous with Philippine made acoustic guitars. As far as I can remember, when someone in the family wanted an acoustic guitar the reply is always to “get a Lumanog” coz “it’s the best”.

And since the family hails from Pampanga, everyone knows where the best of the best Lumanog guitars can be found - at the hub of guitar and music instrument shops all bearing the name Lumanog in San Anton, Guagua, Pampanga.

Authentic Lumanog acoustic guitars at ROMY LUMANOG guitar shop in
San Anton town, Guagua, Pampanga. Philippines.

Thus, when it was my turn to get my first acoustic guitar - as soon as we changed Apo Ando’s $100 gift into pesos - we rushed straight to San Anton in Guagua, me and my cousin haggled the hell out of the C.B. Lumanog music shop.

My first acoustic guitar was a classical guitar with nylon strings - it had a spruce top and rosewood fingerboard. This guitar served me well, and I player her a lot, she ushered me into the world of music. 3 months into playing the guitar, I was in the school Banduria - and my Apo was actually able to watch the banduria’s recital with me proudly plucking his gift guitar. Ah, the good old days.

Anyhoo, back to the Lumanog guitar thing. Since I was quite determined to get a local guitar that I can have lying around the house - a guitar I can pick up anytime to just strum out melodies and ideas buzzing in my head - I decided to trek to Sta Mesa Manila and get one.

But heck, I checked out five shops and the quality of the “Lumanog” acoustic guitars there were simply horrendous. These are the plywood type guitars painted blue and red no different to those hawked on the streets. Their best guitars, with the nice wood tops, were not as bad but were not good either - really messy worksmanship on the outside and inside. No Sta. Mesa “Lumanog” acoustic guitars for me.

The perfect opportunity to score an authentic Lumanog guitar presented itself when we headed to Lubao for the annual family reunion. On the way back to Manila, since it was a Sunday and the traffic was heavy, I thought why not pass by San Anton see if the shops are open - and what guitars they have.

CB Lumanog shop was closed (I always bought my acoustic guitars from CB Lumanog - 3 of them), but ROMY Lumanog’s shop was open - and Romy Lumanog himself was in the house.

I immediately asked for their best guitar available. He handed me a cutaway guitar with Langka wood and rosewood fingerboard - the action felt right, the sound was OK, the workmanship was ok (not close to perfect but was ok - clean enough, good enough). He showed me a couple more guitars but I went back to the first one he showed me, so I decided to take it - for P3,000 only ($60-$70)!

Btw, this Romy Lumanog acoustic guitar had a GIBSON mark on the headstock! As much as non-Lumanog guys are ripping off the Lumanog name, this real Lumanog is ripping off the Gibson mark, too. Oh well.

The next day I immediately took the guitar to the recording studio in Makati to find out what it sounds like as captured by quality microphones. Hmmm, not bad. Not bad at all. The sound is not big, the resonance leaves a lot ot be desired, but it is not boomy and twangy either - the tone is quite balanced across the strings. Hmmm, seems like this guitar wont just be lying around the house.

So there, something about Lumanog acoustic guitars - hand made in San Anton, Guagua, Pampanga, Philippines.

tags: Philippine guitars, Philippine acoustic guitar, Philippine luthier, Lumanog, Lumanog guitar, Guagua, Pampanga

Last week, Tugtog.com gave you an in-depth interview with the octet band FRIO. Today, we listened to Frio’s album. Their self-titled album was released last year under Alpha Music and already produced several hits, showing that music fans liked Frio’s type of music and on its way to heating up the Philippine music scene.

Frio’s pop-alternative album has 10 tracks. The carrier single, “Alive“, which is also the first track, is an upbeat type of song. Alive was an instant hit when it was released last year and continues to be a favorite among music fans. I like the message of the song and the music is not too loud. The first Tagalog song in the album is called “Himig” the soothing voice of Sheila, Frio’s female vocalist, takes you to a light mood. Sheila’s powerful vocal can really take on a high note.

You can hear high notes on Frio’s “Could Have Been” single, wherein Sheila, roars towards the end but still can carry the tune well. One of my favorites aside from Alive is the single “Parapa“…lemme tell you, that is not the theme song of Mcdonalds which yours truly, thought at first hehehe. You can chill while listening to this song. It has a reggae tune towards the end, which is something new for a ballad song.

What I noticed though, about Frio’s songs, is that it has short titles. The longest is just three words and the shortest would you believe, is one letter..as in one letter folks! It’s the song called “E” written by one of the members, Pepeng. If you want peace and quiet listening, then “E” is for you.

Other tunes worth listening in the album includes “Breathe”, which has a very alternative sound. What nice about this song is that the instruments blend well, with the male vocal. “Nasaan Ka na“, is a senti song, great song for those looking for love and who lost love. With lines like, “Nasaan ka na giliw o bakit mo iniwan pa akong nag-iisa, nasan kana giliw hanap-hanap ko pag-ibig mo ngayon at kailanman” it will surely inspire you to love again.

There are songs that sounds novelty like “Baby”, a tagalog tune and has the shortest lyrics in the album. If you like the sound of Renz Verano or April Boy Regino then this one is for you. The tracks “Let Him Go” and “Why” showcase the vocal power of Sheila. These two are simple songs, which everyone can relate to. The guitar sound is very prominent here.

So there you have it. If you want alterntaive sentimental and cool music to fill your ears, then buy Frio’s self-titled album.

Frio

Alpha Music

Philippine Music scene

By Phoebe Dorothy Estelle

The heat wave of summer gets even hotter with the release of great new albums from big stars Lani Misalucha, Janno Gibbs, and sensational heartthrob, Dennis Trillo. These celebrated Philippine recording artists give us new tunes and singable melodies that will truly melt the heart of every Filipino music fan.

Check out this new album previews as gathered by Tugtog.com.

Asia’s Nightingale Soars High

After years of hiatus in the local arena, the Asia’s Nightingale Lani Misalucha comes back to serenade her Filipino audience.

For her one-month stop over, the top caliber diva had two major endeavors. For the fortunate ones they witnessed her concert at the Araneta last March 17, which Rowell Santiago directed and Louie Ocampo acted as musical director.

On the other hand, those who were unlucky should be rejoicing to find that Lani released an album that’s definitely a treasure for her followers. Lani’s self-titled album consists of 14 tracks of old favorites that were given new flavor with her stunning voice.

Tracks in the album include “Never Knew Love Like This Before” (Stephanie Mills), “A Certain Sadness”( Astrud Gilberto), “All In Love Fair (Stevie Wonder), “Hold Me” (Teddy Pendergrass), “Always And Forever” (Heatwave) and “Never My Love” (The Association).

Whle songs like “Very Special Love” (Maureen McGOvern) to “I just Wanna Stop” (Gino Vanelli) and the bonus Christmas track brings out the quality of her voice. The rest of the tracks are “I Live For Your Love” (Natalie Cole), “These Dreams” (Heart), “Love Me Again” (Lani Hall), “Come In From The Rain (Diana Ross), and “Someone In the Dark” (Michael Jackson).

With her new album under Universal Records, Lani Misalucha fans will definitely feel they were’t left behind by their favorite diva.

Dennis Trillo Takes On New Role

Young good-looking actor, Dennis Trillo, have wowed fans with his numerous screen projects and TV soap operas. Now, his followers will be more than happy to know that he has accepted another challenging role as a genuine recording artist.

His first recording venture simply titled Dennis, is also one of the most publicized new albums this season since it is considered the “baby” of popular songwriter/singer Ogie Alcasid and Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez. The two singers own the Indimusic, together with the talent manager Leo Dominguez, who produced and released Dennis’ album.

The carrier single is “All Out of Love”, a song popularized by 80s mega group Air Supply. Dennis also recorded his version of another 80s favorite, “Love Is All The Matters.”

In the single “Magtatagpong Muli” he sings with Regine Velasquez while “Para sa Iyo” is an original OgieAlcasid composition. Other cuts are “Her Smile”, “Mangarap lang”, “All That I Know”, “Tanga” (written by Victoria), “Sayaw sa Hangin”, “All That I Know”, “Kung” (written by Odette Quesada) and “Lumilipad”, whih is the next single to be released.

“Seriously, tama ang pagpili namin kay Dennis as our first recording artist kasi alam naming magiging bestseller ang album niya. I don’t want to predict anything, kung kailan ito maggu-gold or magiging platinum,” said Ogie.

The heartthrob is currently promoting the album and his fans will have the opportunity to be intimate with him in the “Win-A-Date With Dennis” contest promo. So girls, what are you waiting for?

The Little Boy in Janno Gibbs

Actor/comedian Janno Gibbs has been a hot gossip item because of his colorful personal life. But when it comes to Janno the singer, only sterling remarks are written about him.

In his latest album - “Little Boy”, Janno offers ten songs that will make listeners forget their own anxieties. Seven of these tracks are his original compositions.

In the first track “Walang Kadala-dala”, Janno translates into music his view on natural shortcomings. His soulful voice blends really well to the melody of this single. While in “Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo” (Rey Valera’s original), “Ikaw Lang at Ako”, “You are to Me”, Let Me Be The One” (a duet with Jolina Magdangal), “Pinakamamahal”, and “Ako si Superman” Janno showcases his vocal power as a balladeer.

Versatility is the one the best quality of S.O.P’s front man that’s why his collaboration with rap artist Andrew E make the “Sexy Mama” a hip-banging ditty. On the other hand the title track “Little Boy”, sounds like a confession of someone who is juvenile at heart.

The “Little Boy” album under GMA Records is said be the most personal album to Janno so far.

There are many albums set to release this summer but these three artist are surely the first to conquer the spotlight and win the hearts of Pinoy music lovers. Watch out for more new album previews from Tugtog.com.

Tags: New Albums, Filipino Music Artists, Lani Misalucha, Janno Gibbs, Dennis Trillo

By Michelle Ciriacruz

Blues music sprung from the hopes and despair of the black people when, enslaved, they closed their eyes and let it all out, and the music transformed their soul into the stuff of musical legends. So I gathered from my talk with the 5-man blues-rock band Plug in front of 6Underground on C. Palanca Street in Makati as they killed time with me right before a gig.

Of course, they explained about blues in a slightly different way. But then I am simply giving in to something vocalist Emy said about what it is about blues that calls so to him,

“[Blues is when you] close your eyes and feel your music.

And since writing is my music, I closed my eyes as well and write what I feel.”

Plug is one of the five bands that participated in the creation of Blueskrieg*, a CD compilation of Pinoy blues-based music.  Blueskrieg holds 15 tracks; three are by Plug: Byahero, Tumbling Down, and Blooze.

Guitarist Cheng composed the music while base player Jules and guitarists Rusty and Dan, including Emy collaborated on the lyrics.

Byahero, shared Cheng, is the importance of always moving, never stopping; Tumbling Down the Devil’s Game is about not having anyone else to blame but yourself, said Emy; while Blooze (a play on blues and booze) is about the shock of being “basted (rejected by a girl).”

This is what blues is all about, really—emotions and, contrary to popular belief, not just about being blue. Blues, the Plug members explained, is both comprehensive and particular. It could have an upbeat sound yet convey a story of tragedy and madness.

Depending on the musician’s treatment, blues styles could range from folk to rock to jazz to rnb. Much of the music we have now were actually inspired and influenced by blues, Emy pointed out, and blues the original must already have been transformed into a dozen dozen music genres.

Until, finally, blues landed on Pinoy shores, and Pinoy blues, as Plug plays it and as the other bands in Blueskrieg—Snakecharmer, Dahon, Firebottle, Plug and Kulukati—interpret it, was born.

Of course, said Cheng of Pinoy blues, “the music is adapted but sentiments are purely Pinoy.” The Pinoy music scene is more than ripe for a blues awakening, the band believes. “Madamdamin tayo,” they pointed out.

Blues is also very personal, the hallmark of a true blues musician. If you are into playing blues, you must learn everything you can about making the music your own, said Plug. The journey is long, which is why, for now, they play blues-rock.

Playing as a band since 1993, with Cheng and Dan joining in 1998, Plug strives to make their journey as intense as possible with frequent jamming, but taking it prudently as they could only give in to gigs an average of twice monthly because of day jobs.

Cheng is a graphic artist while the others are IT professionals. Emy is also a husband, as he insisted I make clear in my write-up.

Anyway, maybe someday, when they have closed their eyes long enough, or have gone deeper into the music than ever, the true blues within them would surface, and they could safely call themselves a pure blues band.

For now they rock, as I saw and heard later, in more ways than style and musical prowess. On stage, they took up their guitars; Emy his microphone, and played music as only people with blues in their soul could play—with eyes closed, letting the music take them, and expressing their hearts and soul out.

This is the track listing of Blueskrieg:

1. Tumbling Down The Devil’s Game – Plug

2. Byahero – Plug

3. Blooze - Plug

4. Zalman Knew – Snakecharmer

5. My Slow Draggin’ Week – Snakecharmer

6. Suklob – Snakecharmer

7. Bakit Nagkaganito – Firebottle

8. Di Na Lang Sana – Firebottle

9. Kalbaryo – Firebottle

10. Confronting The Devil – Dahon

11. Monster Within Me – Dahon

12. Lipad Pilip Lipad – Dahon

13. Sa Gabi Sa Umaga – Kulukati

14. Selda Katorse – Kulukati

15. Taga Sa Bato - Kulukati

*Blueskrieg, literally means blues attack, is available at all Odyssey record stores. Released by Rebolusyon Rekords and distributed by Vicor Music in the Philippines.