Studio Cut

6Cyclemind makes a resounding comeback in the OPM chart when its latest single, “Kung Wala Na Nga,” simultaneously landed in the #1 slot in the MYX Daily Top Ten, Pinoy Hit Chart  and MYX Hit Chart. Up to this time, the song remains to enjoy being #1in all the MYX charts. This is a clear indication that a band as good & creative as 6Cyclemind can not easily  be upstaged by the prevailing K-pop craze. “Kung Wala Na Nga,” with Yeng Constantino, DJ Coki and Kean Cipriano as collaborators, is the lone OPM entry in Myx daily countdown.

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After the success of their albums “Steady Lang” and “Ayos Din,” popular reggae band Brownman Revival is here to say “Eto Pa!” and get ready to sway to their music once more as they release their latest EP.

This 6 track offering is composed of all original Pinoy reggae tracks featuring the carrier single “Hitik Sa Bunga.” This track will surely be one of the hot anthems this summer with its bouncy beats. Though danceable, it carries a simple yet in-your-face message with its lyrics “mag-ingat sa mga asal talangka. Hihilahin ka nila pababa. Namamato kapag ika’ys hitik sa bunga.”  Or simply put, about crab mentality. The single is now on heavy airplay on radio and its music video recently premiered on MYX.

Brownman Revival is composed of Dennis (drums), Jao (bass), Onard (keyboards), Januarie (percussions), Alphy(guitars), Jayson (trombone), Jojo (sax), Ambet (trumpet) and Dino (vocals). They are chosen by Channel [V] Philippines as this month’s VIP (Very Important Pinoy) of the month where the band will be on their various shows all over March.

“We are proud of this EP because it is all originals and no covers for a change,” Dennis said.

This 9-piece band started in 1994 as an independent band but went on to become a mainstream success starting with their major label debut “Steady Lang” which spawned the hits “Maling Akala” (originally by the Eraserheads) “Lintik,” Rainmaker’s “Binibini” and “Ikaw Lang Ang Aking Mahal” (by VST & Co.). This was followed with more popular tunes like “Sorry Na Puede Ba?,” “Walang Kasing Sarap” and “Reggae Fever” with the release of their sophomore album “Ayos Din.” Both albums garnered critics acclaim and made them one of the most in-demand bands in the country.

“Eto Pa,” Brownman Revival’s latest EP, is now out on record stores under Sony Music.

It has taken six years for recording artist, stage actress and entrepreneur Rachel Alejandro to come up with a new album and music lovers better “Believe” it’s worth the wait.

According to Rachel, the 13 tracks in “Believe” were chosen so carefully that she refused songs submitted to her by friends (some of whom are big names in the industry) when these didn’t fit the bill. “It was hard telling them ‘no’ because what they wrote were really very good songs. But in the end, we couldn’t just settle for ‘very good’ – we wanted the best,” she said.

One of these is the album’s carrier single, “Tayo Pa Ba?” written by Edith Gallardo and Niño Regalado. Rachel admits crying the first time she heard it. “I had just broken up with my boyfriend then so I was able to relate to the song. ‘Tayo’ will please my loyal fans and will win over younger people who may not be familiar with my music.”

“Tayo Pa Ba?” is about two people who have supposedly moved on from their relationship but are still thinking secretly that what they had may still be worth one more chance. The song is in the vein of Rachel’s biggest hits such as “Paalam Na,” “Bulag Sa Katotohanan” and “Kay Tagal” that all tell of real situations versus mere generic messages.

Released under Sony Music Entertainment, “Believe” also contains the songs “Bakit Hindi Tayo?” (penned by Cholo Escano), “Hanggang” (an Amber-Marcus Davis collaboration) and “The Rain” (written by Rachel herself). The remakes are “You Were There” (by Southern Sons done in duet with her father, Hajji Alejandro), “Xanadu” (Olivia Newton John), “Don’t Stop Believing” (Journey) “Alone” (Heart) and “There’s A Fine, Fine Line” (from the musical “Avenue Q”).

“Although our concept for ‘Believe’ was to come up with strong original materials, we included these remakes to introduce the pop audience to the musicals that I am part of,” she said.

Rachel is part of the puppet-meets-person musical, “Avenue Q,” that runs at Carlos P Romulo Theater inside the RCBC Plaza in Makati City from March 12 to March 27. Produced by Atlantis Productions, the singer plays Kate Monster and Lucy the Slut in the Tony Award-winning show.

“I want my latest album to show people who have not watched any theatrical production that theater is not elitist at all. Many musicals are totally relatable even to young people. Hopefully, the cuts that we chose that are from musicals I am part of, will inspire them to check out the shows,” she said.

Rachel describes “Believe” as a pop album; one that’s easy to listen to but canvasses the geniuses of some of OPM’s finest songwriters and producers. The songs have different flavors and show off her different vocal textures. “I was able to give my voice a rest these past years which now allows me to use its full strength and range. If before, ang boses ko ay parang piano na ilang tiklada lang ang tumutugtog, now every key is functional,” said she.

Asked if the changing trend in music has affected her singing style, Rachel said that what it strengthened is her belief that singing from the heart is potent above all. “I have never been nor will ever be into vocal acrobatics. What’s important in singing is sincerity. When you tell your story as honestly as possible, you make a connection,” she said.

Rachel will also be in the US in April for some shows with Geneva Cruz. She’ll go to New York end of the year to take up skating lessons in preparation for her role in “Xanadu.”

Launched on “ASAP XV” last March 7, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-rEStC15i8] Rachel says “Believe” reflects her rekindled purpose as an artist. “If you’re someone like me who has been around, you know that it’s easy to lose sight of why you entered the business in the first place. This album reasserts my belief that new good music still exists. That in these days of the revivals, fresh materials still have a place in the OPM scene,” she concludes.