Filipino fans to hear A1's 2012 version of "Like A Rose" live

British-Norwegian group a1 is expected to churn out their familiar tunes at their Manila concert on the evening of February 25, 2012. But one thing their Pinoy fans should look forward to is their new, exciting rendition of their smash hit “Like A Rose,” which arguably is their biggest song in the ears of fans this side of the globe.

Member Ben Adams who wrote “Like A Rose” is thrilled to announce their performance of the said version. “We have just updated it for a brand new version for 2012, which was amazingly fun to do! Very excited for you all to hear it!”

He recalled, “I wrote it when I was 16 years old on my old upright piano at my parents house. I haven't told anyone this really as most people assume it's a love song, but it was actually originally written for my mom!”

 A1 started making a big splash when their first single, “Be the First to Believe,” entered the UK charts at #6 in early 1999. They had a huge amount of success worldwide with two #1s and eighty top 10 hits. Some of their other hits are “Take On Me”, “Ready or Not / Everytime”, “Same Old Brand New You”, “Caught in the Middle” and “Make It Good”. Their newest single  After All It’s Christmas is currently being played on top radio stations in Manila.  Watch out for their new album which will be released soon under MCA Music.

Joining a1 for the Wilbros Live February concert at Smart Araneta Coliseum are contemporaries Blue and Jeff Timmons, lead vocalist of the now defunct 98 Degrees. Fans can expect for these guys to sing their biggest hits and surprise cuts in the triple-treat concert dubbed "The Greatest Hits Tour: Blue, Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees and a1 - Live in Manila 2012."

Asked about his favorite 98 Degrees song, Timmons, who has remained faithful to his group’s tracks even as a solo performer, noted, “Out of all the hits, Invisible Man is my favorite.  It is the most soulful of our radio songs, and it was the first song we ever heard of ourselves on the radio.”

He added, “We recorded "I Do" in Nashville with mega-producer Keith Thomas. I remember being there right after finding out about my ex-wife being pregnant with our daughter.”

The group's unforgettable R&B, soul, urban and contemporary pop sound lives on especially with major hits like “Because of You”, “The Hardest Thing”, and “My Everything”.

The English vocal group Blue comprised of Simon Webbe, Lee Ryan, Duncan James and Antony Costa, is set to paint the town red by singing live their hits such as “All Rise”, “Too Close”, “If You Come Back”, “Fly By”, “One Love”, “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word”, “Guilty”, and“Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)." 

 For ticket inquiries, contact TicketNet Box Office at 911-5555 or Wilbros Live at 374-2222.

The Hottest Hits...Ever!

MCA MUSIC ARTISTS HONORED AT 24TH AWIT AWARDS

Sabrina

MCA Music artists took home honors at the recent 24^th Awit Awards held at the Music Museum. One of the top honors went to King of Acoustic Pop Nyoy Volante who bagged the Best Performance by a Male Artist for the song “Someday”. The single is included on his album “In You”, his debut album under the multi-national record label.

Asia’s acoustic sweetheart Sabrina was the recipient of the International Achievement Award for achieving Platinum and Gold status in Indonesia and Thailand for her albums “I Love Acoustic”, “I Love Acoustic Too” and “I Love Acoustic 3”. She was also awarded as I-Gateway Mobile Philippines Inc. as the “Most Downloaded Artist for 2010”.

R&B artist Kris Lawrence also walked off with 2 digital awards: EGG's Allhits.ph Most Downloaded Song for 2010 for "Careless Whisper" and the Most Downloaded Artist for 2010. His cover of the Wham! Original is included in his album “Moments of Love.”

The wacky trio of Boys Night Out (Tony Toni, Slick Rick and Sam YG) got the “Best Novelty” award for the song “Shawarma”. The song, produced by Francis Guevarra and sung by Shivaker, is in their self-titled debut album under MCA Music. 

The Awit Awards is a prestigious award-giving body, spearheaded by PARI (The Philippine Association of the Record Industry, Inc.), that gives recognition to Filipino performing artists and people behind the making of Filipino recorded music.

“90S MUSIC COMES ALIVE WITH SAMSUNG GALAXY S WIFI 5.0” “90S MUSIC COMES ALIVE WITH SAMSUNG GALAXY S WIFI 5.0”

What do you remember most about the 90s? Gadgets like the Discman on which you listened to music, the Tamagotchi which served as your pet, or those big cellular phones? Was it the movies, like when you watched “Titanic” three times (or more), got “Clueless” with Alicia Silverstone, or melted over the line “You had me at ‘hello’,” from “Jerry Maguire”? Or was it the TV shows, like when you got hooked on “Friends”, “Beverly Hills 90210,” or “Melrose Place”? Or was it the music? Of course, there has to be music.

That is why MCA Music, in cooperation with Samsung’s ultimate MP3 evolution, the Samsung Galaxy S WiFi 5.0, gives tribute to the music that defined a generation via the album “90s Music Comes Alive,” featuring MCA artists’ take on hits from the 90s.  It is bannered by “Unbelievable,” an EMF original given new life by one of the country’s top bands, Chicosci.

 

The album is packed top-to-bottom with a spectacular lineup of signature 90s tracks re-imagined by today’s artists. Take, for example, the Madonna original “This Used To Be My Playground” reinterpreted by Urbandub, or Radiohead’s “Fake Plastic Trees” reengineered by Franco. There’s also Paula Cole’s “I Don’t Wanna Wait” by December Avenue, The Cranberries’ “Linger” by Miguel Escueta, Keith Sweat’s “Twisted” by Typecast, Radiohead’s “Creep” by Tanya Markova, Indigo Girls’ “Power of Two” by Nyoy Volante, Eric Clapton’s “Change The World” by Krissy & Ericka, Lisa Loeb’s “Stay” by Toto Sorioso, Blind Melon’s “No Rain” by Sabrina, Sugar Ray’s “Someday” by The Lamars, Natalie Imbruglia’s “Torn” by Solenn Heussaff, and Lou Bega’s sassy “Mambo No. 5” by Richard Poon.

Reminisce over the good times, or simply savor a fresh take on music from before the new millennium with “90s Music Comes Alive.”

And to make it come even more alive, listen to it digitally on the Samsung Galaxy S WiFi 5.0. With proprietary SoundAlive 3D surround sound technology, you get a fully-immersive on-the-go music experience in an astonishingly compact device. While its expansive 5-inch touchscreen and powerful 1GHz processor deftly let you plow through your other favorite forms of entertainment (from the 90s, or otherwise) like full HD movies and thousands of games from the Android market.

“90s Music Comes Alive” is now out in CDs at leading record stores under MCA Music, and is presented by Samsung Galaxy S WiFi 5.0. To download the music of “90s Music Comes Alive” to your mobile phones, just text NINETIES to 3456. Catch these artists as “90s Music Comes Alive” will be having a grand launch this January 13 (Friday), 7pm at Eastwood Central Plaza and January 14 (Saturday), 7pm at Venice Piazza at McKinley Hill.

SABRINA’S “I LOVE ACOUSTIC 4” IS GOLD IN INDONESIA; PERFORMS ANEW IN SINGAPORE

Sabrina proved once again that she is Asia’s acoustic sweetheart as her latest album “I Love Acoustic 4” is now certified GOLD in Indonesia. Her previous albums “I Love Acoustic” and “I Love Acoustic Too” reached DOUBLE PLATINUM selling over 20,000 copies while “I Love Acoustic 3” also went PLATINUM this year in that country. She also achieved multi-platinum success in Thailand and Singapore.

“I was just thankful that my albums were released in Asia but to reach Gold for my new album is such a wonderful blessing,” Sabrina said.

She recently performed in Singapore at the Suntec Convention Hall last November 28 for the Bookfest@Singapore 2011 where she also signed autographs for her album “The Best of I Love Acoustic” which is exclusively available in the Lion City and will be soon released in Malaysia. Sabrina was the only Filipino singer invited for the said event which was also graced by Chinese and Singapore celebrities. She was invited to do a promo tour in Singapore last year to promote her albums “I Love Acoustic” and “I Love Acoustic Too.”

“I felt so proud and pressured in a good way because I was determined to make a good name for Filipinos in Singapore,” Sabrina said. “And I’m so touched that Singaporeans and even some Filipinos came all the way to see my show.”

In Thailand, “I Love Acoustic 4” topped the international charts of retail store B2S beating the likes of Adele and KPop artists Girls Generation and Super Junior.  Here in the Philippines, the album debuted at #1 at Astroplus and #9 at Odyssey charts on its first week of release. It features the carrier single “Who Says”, her cover of the Selena Gomez original. Produced and arranged by Sunny Ilacad, “I Love Acoustic 4” also includes her acoustic versions of current hits like “Price Tag”, “Edge of Glory”, “On The Floor”, “Moves Like Jagger”, “Last Friday Night (TGIF)”, “California King Bed”, “Hold It Against Me”, Rolling In The Deep” and many more.  She also collaborated with Indonesian singer Calvin Jeremy for “Just The Way You Are” and our very own Richard Poon for “Lucky” in this album.

“I Love Acosutic 4” by Sabrina is now out in CDs under MCA Music (Universal Music Philippines). To download Sabrina’s single “Who Says” text WHSAY and send to 2728 for Smart and Talk N Text subscribers, text KL367 and send to 2332 for Globe/ TM or text  5493167 and send to 2300 for Sun Cellular subscribers. For more of Sabrina’s music, just text SABRINA to 3456 or check out www.facebook.com/mcamusic. 

The Greatest Hits of Blue, 98 Degrees and a1 together at the Big Dome

The day shall be marked as the 26th year anniversary of EDSA Revolution 1. Some people will surely relive the moments of that evening when it was announced 'it was all over.'

 

Interestingly, local fans of top-selling boy-groups Blue, 98 Degrees and a1 have more reasons to reminisce and celebrate. Count out the political placard displays or screaming streamers. Count in sure-fire ear-friendly music, live celebrity glitter as a back-to-back-to-back concert of international heartthrobs happens inside the historic Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City come the evening of February 25, 2012.

 

Topnotch concert promoter Wilbros Live has just announced the staging of a star-studded concert entitled, "The Greatest Hits Tour: Blue, Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees and a1 - Live in Manila 2012." The spectacle is taking place at the Big Dome, 8 pm, on the memorable day.  

 

Witness members of these marquee boy-bands perform and serenade you in their flesh.  The English pop vocal group Blue is set to deliver their hits, such as “All Rise”, “Too Close”, “If You Come Back”, “Fly By”, “One Love”, “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word”, “Guilty”, and “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)." The group, comprised of Simon Webbe, Lee Ryan, Duncan James and Anthony Costa, will surely paint the town red. 

 

British-Norwegian group a1 is expected to churn out their familiar tunes. Name it, “Like A Rose”, “Take On Me”, “Ready or Not / Everytime”, “Same Old Brand New You”, “Caught in the Middle” and “Make It Good”. This pop ensemble started making a big splash when their first single, “Be the First to Believe,” entered the UK charts at #6 in early 1999. They had a huge amount of success worldwide with two #1s and eighty top 10 hits. No wonder music fans have believed! Watch out for their newest Christmas track After All It’s Christmas which will hit the airwaves very soon.

 

For fans of 98 Degrees, you won't see the group performing. Yet, that shouldn't matter much as its main vocalist Jeff Timmons is showing up. The group split up years back but its unforgettable R&B, soul, urban and contemporary pop sound lives on through its founding member. He is sure to sing many of their hits like “Invisible Man”, “Because of You”, “The Hardest Thing”, “I Do (Cherish You)” and “My Everything”.

 

Mark the date, February 25, 2012, and celebrate an evening worth-watching. For ticket inquiries, contact TicketNet Box Office at 911-5555 or Wilbros Live at 374-2222.

PPO CONCERT WITH ARIEL DECHOSA

Eminent Filipino pianist Ariel Dechosa returns to the CCP stage in a concert with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) in its 4^th concert series slated on December 16, 2011, Friday, 8:00 p.m. at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater). Maestro Olivier Ochanine conducts.

            Dechosa will perform Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4. Program also includes  Ravel’s Le Tombeau de Couperin, and Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2.

            Dechosa is a National Music Competition for Young Artists awardee. He also won the 1996 Frinna Awerbuch International Piano Competition (3^rd prize), 1994 Santa Barbara Symphony International Piano Competition (3^rd prize), the 1993 Five Towns Competition (1^st prize), and the 1991 Great Neck Symphony Young Artists Competition (1^st prize).

            Dechosa won a scholarship to study at the Manhattan School of Music in New York City, where he subsequently earned his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees under the tutelage of Prof. Arkady Aronov. Upon graduation, he was given the prestigious Harold Sauer-Award, the highest prize bestowed to a graduating pianist. He also studied at the Peabody Institute in Baltimore where he earned a Graduate Performing Diploma as a student of Boris Slutsky. He has taken regular master classes with Leon Fleisher, Paul Badura-Skoda, Vladimir Feltsman, and Ruth Laredo.

            An active soloist and chamber musician, Dechosa has performed in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall, and Corcoran Gallery of Art, among others. He has played with the Northwest Sinfonietta in Seattle and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra performing Beethoven's "Emperor" Concerto. He has also been invited to perform at music festivals in the La Schola Cantorum Piano Series in Paris, Merano Festival in Italy, and the Lasker Music Festival in North Carolina.

            Ariel Dechosa resides in Inwood, West Virginia with his wife Vivian, and teaches at Gilman School in Baltimore, Maryland. He is currently the Music Director of Inter-Atlantic Music Foundation based in the USA and Bulgaria.

Ticket prices: P1000/800/500/P350/200, with discounts available to students, senior citizens and groups. Subscription packages are also available for eight (8) or four (4) shows. For inquiries and subscriptions, please call the CCP Marketing Department (832-1125 loc. 1806), the CCP Box Office (832-3704) or Ticketworld at National Bookstore (891-9999).

SPEND CHRISTMAS WITH RICHARD POON

Album cover

Celebrate the Holiday season with the country’s multi-platinum crooner Richard Poon as he releases “Christmas with Richard Poon.” This is his very first Christmas album.

“I’m so thankful to MCA Music for giving me a chance to finally do a Christmas album. This is my gift to all my fans who supported me through the years,” said Richard Poon.

Richard, who will be sharing the stage with legendary singer/songwriter Jose Mari Chan in a concert entitled “The Songwriter and the Crooner” on December 2 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), sings yuletide favorites like “Last Christmas”, “Christmas Song”, “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”, “Merry Christmas Darling” and “Grown Up Christmas List”. It also includes the carrier single, the well-loved Christmas track “Jingle Bells” which features talented jazz vocal trio Baihana (composed of Mel Torre, Krina Cayabyab and Anna Achacoso).

“Collaborating with Baihana was such a blast,” said Richard Poon. “It’s amazing to work and record with these three talented and lovely ladies and hear such great results on record.”

Richard can also be seen regularly at ASAP Rocks as part of the popular ASAP Sessionistas. His previous albums “I’ll Take Care of You” and “For You” are muilti-platinum success in the Philippines. Richard’s current full album “I’ll Be Seeing You (Deluxe Edition)” which features his collaborations with top singers Nina, Sitti and Ms. Lea Salonga, is also doing well as evidenced in the retail charts.

With a great line-up of Christmas songs coupled with Richard’s cool vocals, this album is definitely a must this season.

Catch Richard Poon as he performs tracks of his Christmas album on December 14 (Wednesday) at SM North EDSA The Block and December 15 (Thursday) at SM San Lazaro. All shows start at 5pm. Buy a copy of “Christmas with Richard Poon” and have it signed by the crooner himself right after the show.

“Christmas with Richard Poon” is now out in record stores under MCA Music. To download Richard Poon’s music on your mobile phones, text RP to 3456. Or if you want to download “Jingle Bells” as your ringback tone, just text KL572 and send to 2332 for Globe/ TM subscribers, JINGBELS and send to 2728 for Smart and Talk N Text or text 5493191 and send to 2300 for Sun Cellular subscribers. Visit www.facebook.com/mcamusic for more updates on Richard Poon.

Pink goes Hollywood

ALECIA MOORE (AKA P!NK) LENDS VOICE TO GLORIA IN “HAPPY FEET 2”

Alecia "Pink" Moore as Gloria

            When Warner Bros.' highly anticipated sequel “Happy Feet 2” begins, “It’s party time,” says director George Miller, “and at the center of everything are Mumble and Gloria. Gloria is singing, Mumble is dancing, and everyone is inspired by the rhythm and chemistry between the two.”

            Mumble has grown up to be a respected leader within the Emperor penguin community. And if Mumble is the undisputed dance champ of Emperor Land, his mate Gloria is the undeniable diva. For the role of this powerhouse songstress, the filmmakers turned to Alecia Moore, also known as triple Grammy-winning recording artist P!nk. “P!nk was a natural for the role, and has been really superb,” says director Miller. “She had sung in the opening of the first movie and wanted to be involved again because she’s compassionate and a great animal lover. So for this one, in addition to voicing Gloria, she wrote the wonderful lullaby called ‘Bridge of Light,’ with Billy Mann.”

            No stranger to a recording booth, Moore was nonetheless a little nervous about making her voice acting debut. Watching other cast members helped to change that. She recounts, “I got to watch Brad [Pitt] and Matt [Damon] not only record some of their dialogue, but they also had to sing. They just went for it, and I thought, ‘Wow, I really have nothing to fear in there.’”

            Producer Doug Mitchell says, “When it came to Alecia’s turn to record, of course, she totally nailed it. She’s a great professional and a lovely person. Her song, ‘Bridge of Light,’ is wonderful and touches on one of the great themes in the movie.”

            Alecia Moore (P!nk) has sold over 40 million albums and 65 million singles worldwide, winning three Grammy Awards, five MTV Video Music Awards, and one World Music Award. P!nk has cemented her spot as one of the biggest female artists of the past decade, and the top five touring artist in the world with her record-breaking Funhouse World Tour, which elevated her from an arena performer to a global stadium act.

            In 2010, “Raise Your Glass,” the lead single on her compilation album celebrating a decade of success, Greatest Hits…So Far!!!, became P!nk’s tenth Top 10 hit. It was her second solo number one hit, following 2008’s "So What" from the album Funhouse, which also notched an additional three Top 20 hits.

            P!nk’s previous albums include the 2000 debut Can't Take Me Home; 2001’s  worldwide success Missundaztood;  2003’s Try This, which earned her a Grammy for Best Female Rock Vocal performance for the single “Trouble”; and 2006’s I'm Not Dead, which generated five hit singles, including “U + Ur Hand” and “Who Knew,” which both went on to number one on the pop chart.  Rated number 13 on Billboard’s 2000-2009 list of Artists of the Decade and number one Pop Song Artist of the Decade, she was also voted Best Recording Artist in 2009. 

“Happy Feet 2” is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.