Album Review : Wave 89.1 Soul Obsessions, Duets with Thor

I’ll tell you a secret. I have a new addiction or should I say OBSESSION.

I get this secret obsession back when I was in college. Of a music whore like me, I spent my daily extra time listening to music. It feels like more than ecstasy when music filed my ears. I heard this one song from an OPM artist via WAVE 89.1. His voice tickles my withered soul and plant a romantic melody in my heart. The song is – What About Love by Thor. Since then I’ve been an instant fan of this romantic balladeer.

Our second encounter happened last week January 11, 2012. I was passing by the mall in Taguig when I suddenly entered a music record store. I felt like I’m hallucinating when I heard a familiar voice playing inside the store.  As I entered the music store, I can see stars everywhere I go. I suddenly felt sugar rushing my system. I felt in love to that soothing voice. I asked the clerk, what album are they playing. They give me a familiar face that left me speechless. SOUL OBSESSIONS Duets – by Thor. Without thinking twice, I bought the CD.

Upon listening to the album, every song has a majestic approach perfectly fit to Thor’s voice. Every covered song was ground breaking versions. Most of the songs in the album are the soundtrack of my teenage life. It quickly reminded me of my romantic struggles and booboos. Thor’s voice was so addictive that I’ve never skip any of his song.

The album has 12 tracks; all are covered song featuring Thor and other OPM singers. With the like of MYMP – Juris and Chin, Jay Durias, Amber Davis, Nina, Jinky Vidal, Luke Mijares, and many more.

Cut 1 - The first song is a Joe Jackson original – Be My Number Two performed by Thor feat. MYMP. The song was melodramatic approach accompanied by guitar. This version is one of the best cut for the album.

Cut 2 - Second track is What About Love originally performed by Lemar. In this song, he was with former South Border member Luke Mijares. This is my all time favorite song for this album, actually I have all the song as my favorites but this is my most favorite among all. This song was the soundtrack of my heartaches and I’ve shed tons of tears with this song.

Cut 3 -  Spend My Life With You with Amber Davis is the third track. A perfect rendition of Tamia and Eric Bennet with OPM twist. Just as perfect as I expected.

Cut 4 - Fourth covered song was Mariah Carey and Brian McKnight original – Whenever You Call. Soul Siren Nina fits to Thor’s romantic voice. Their harmony perfectly blend for the song. Knowing Mariah’s singing style and Brian’s vocal acrobats – the two indeed is powerful combination.

Cut 5 – Suddenly – duet with Freestyle’s female vocal Jinky Vidal is beyond soulful. This brings me chills and made my night romantically blooming. This old favorite song has a new taste and new sound with Thor’s deep soulful version and Jinky’s sweet and soft voice.

Cut 6 – A Babyface original Everytime I close My Heart is perfect, promise, crossed my heart, Thor (If not beat) at least nailed his version featuring Natural High. The song’s romantically sensual approach has renewed in this version with Natural High’s smooth vocal acrobats.

Cut 7 – The Girl Is Mine with Luke Mijares is one of the feel good songs in the album.  Luke’s vocal techniques blended well with Thor’s. Mind you the end part of the song seems vocal battle between two RNB heart throbs.

Cut 8 – Bozza sweetheart Sofia and Thor’s RNB combination in the song You Don’t Know Me is astonishing, sweet and sensual. This song is perfect for romantic and intimate moments.

Cut 9 – Im Ready with Mr. Cesar Aguas is one of the hard to sing song. Thor’s curly high notes accompanied by Mr. Cesar Aguas’ beautiful guitar strum are so attaching. If Mr. Ramon Jacinto is Philippines’ answer to Elvis Presley, Mr. Cesar Aguas is our very own Santana. His guitar strum sounds identically to the later. In this song, Mr. Cesar’s guitar execution sounds latin – romantically uplifting.

 Cut 10 – Just One Dance with Jerome Nunez on violin sounds very relaxing. A very nice song with very good lyrics, Just One Dance is so relaxing. Jerome’s violin strums made Thor’s vocal rendition very really romantic.

Cut 11 – Home by Brian Mcknight is this album’s finale song. This is the surprise for the listeners, after bunch of romantic and senti tracks, Thor will tour you to his heart of music – RNB royalty. I bet you, you close your eyes .. you are as if listening to Brian Mcknight. The curls, the depth and vocal acrobats are identically the same. Trully, Thor is the Philippines’ answer to Brian Mcknight, R Kelly and Eric Bennet in one name!

To you who want to be in loved over and over again, then be in your favorite record bars and get the copy of Thor’s Wave 89.1 Soul Obsessions Duets with Thor. This is another worth the listen album. No amount of cents is wasted in every song. Serenaded by Philippines’ RNB royalty is worth the while. This one of a kind album can make your girlfriend melt in a second and your boyfriend dance you in a moonlit night. 5 Stars for this album!

OPM Pride - Thor

I found a new hobby – listening to Thor’s music. I fell in love to this balladeer for his unique and sweet voice that almost reminded me of Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder and Brian Mc Knight. He feed my need for good and quality music. Let’s get to know more about this guy. He is Philippine pride – Thor.

Thor was born in Panabo City, Davao del Norte; he was a choirboy who began singing professionally at the age of nineteen. He graduated from Ateneo de Davao University before trying his luck in Manila with his band, Extreme Mix, now known as Myxtreme. He has also provided backing vocals for artists such as Luke Mijares and JayR.  

At the age of 19, he started getting into professional singing together with his band Myxtreme, which also meant doing backup vocals for various artists, singing jingles and sessioning for other bands. At the age of 24, Thor released his self titled album THOR under Evolution Music distributed by Warner Music Philippines. On 2007, Thor released his second studio album entitled " Soul Obsessions" Duets with Thor, under Ivory Music Philippines, conceptualized from his radio segment on Wave 89.1.

The album was Thor's collaboration with the Philippines greatest artists like Jay Durias of South Border, Luke Mejares, MYMP, Nina, Amber Davis, Jinky Vidal of Freestyle, and a lot more... All of these led Thor to various awards including, Most Promising Male RnB Performer ( Awards and Recogniton Association of the Philippines), Awit Awardee ( Best Performance by a Duet on the song "The Closer I Get to you" with Nina) and the 2007 Metro manila Film Festival Best Theme song "Kasalanan Nga Ba" from the movie KUTOB.

While Gigging at a bar here in the Phillipines, international Soul Jazz musicians Marcos Sainz and Juan Galiardo was impressed and approached Thor after his set. The two asked him to sing some tracks in their album. After two months, Thor flew to Spain for recording sessions and was then asked to become a part of the band. Their album was released in some parts of Europe last 2008 entitled, SHINE A LIGHT. Now, Thor is one of the lead vocalists of the international Soul Jazz Funk band SATYA PROJECT while still pursuing his solo career here in the Philippines.

On the last concert of David Foster and Friends, Thor get the chance to share the stage with world's renowned musician. 

Thor’s Awards and Recognitions:

Philippine Excellence Awards (June 28, 2005)
2005, Most Promising R&B Performer

19th Awit Awards (June 15, 2006)
2006, Best Performance By A Duet: "The Closer I Get To You" by Nina & Thor

Metro Manila Film Festival Awards (January 6, 2006)
2005, Best Movie Theme Song - "KUTOB" Kasalanan Nga Ba? by Thor

Philippine Builders Excellence Awards (April 28, 2005)
2005, Most Promising Male R&B Performer

Wave 891 Urban Music Awards: 
2010, Best Remake: Thor with Amber (“Spend My Life With You”)

My next project for the whole month is to collect all Thor’s CDs. I wish one day I could get a chance to meet him in person :D


Thor's Official FB page: https://www.facebook.com/thor.mightythor
Official Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/thor_dmighty

Ryan Cayabyab and Friends Concert !

If the America has David Foster, the Philippines have Maestro Ryan Cayabyab. I am not comparing these two musical masters, but they have something in common. And that is the intellect and the power to manipulate the notes in their hands. Maestro Ryan Cayabyab has been in this industry for a very long time now. Mr. C as he is known in this industry has been performed with leading Philippine Musical Personalities like Lani Misalucha, Regine Velasquez, Dulce, Martin Nievera, Gary Valenciano and many more. He has also performed outside the country – New York, USA; Las Vegas, Nevada; Vancouver, Canada; Japan, Netherlands and many more.

Did you know that Mr. C composed the themes of TV Patrol and ABSCBN late night news The World Tonight in 1992 and used until 1996. Mr. C also composed ‘Mabuhay’ song, the opening song of Miss Universe 1994 when it was held here in Manila.

Sir Ryan Cayabyab was last seen on primetime television thru ABSCBN’s Pinoy Dream Academy Season 2 as Head Master. To those who haven’t remembered this season, it was Laarni Losada who was hailed the Big Winner in this contest. This was the season where we were introduced to extremely talented singers like Bugoy, Miguel Mendoza, and Liezel Garcia. But earlier than PDA2 days, Mr. C judged a rival singing contest in TV5 – Philippine Idol along with Pilita Corrales and the late Francis Magalona.

Now, on Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at 8PM, along with The Ryan Cayabyab Singer (I am proud that a friend of mine is one of them. My bigger brother and Amang Volter) Mr. Ryan Cayabyab and Friends will perform at the NEWPORT PERFORMING ARTS THEATER. This concert will have Bituin Escalante, Dulce and Jed Pangan singing outstanding hits and OPM classics. The concept and stage direction will be managed by Mr. Floy Quintos and this is a joint project by The Ultimate Entertainment, Inc.; Ticketworld; www.rwmanila.com, NEWPORT PERFORMING ARTS THEATER and ABSCBN as the Official TV Partner.

For ticket inquiries contact TICKETWORLD: (02) 891-9999

An Interview With Myrus - The Sentimental Prince of the Philippines

It was an ordinary day when I drop by on one of my favorite site in the web. It was a long boring day when I decided to plunge in the music site of Youtube. A video posted in my Facebook newsfeed caught my attention. 

Myrus - The Philippine Sentimental Prince

One of my SUPERMEGAULTIMATEDIAMONDBONGANG favorite OPM songs is covered by a male singer. The song is “Hangang Ngayon” popularized by Rnb Princess Kyla and the cover version was sung by Myrus – The Philippine Sentimental Prince.

Myrus , who was discovered through a social networking site, recorded his debut album when he was 17 years old-- when his voice was still on a development stage and you better hear him sing now that he's 20. Myrus didn’t come from a fortunate background: he actually went into singing to earn extra cash from himself and his family. He started singing professionally as a teen-ager in bars, where he would get paid some cash—but only after singing at lot of songs: he recalls singing as much as 40 or 50 songs in one night. It was unbreakable work that didn’t have fair payment—but it turns out that all of the hardship preparation for bigger and better things.

Claire Dela Fuente’s hit song “Sayang” was his mark in the local music scene. Then he released his debut album “Love Cycle” featuring his hit single “Laging Ikaw”. The album showcases Myrus’s vocal abilities and versatility by incorporating pop and R and B flavors to a mostly all-Filipino track list about first loves and heartbreaks. Myrus was recognized as 2008’s Most Promising Young R and B Performing Artist by the Asian Star Entertainment Awards and a Teen Ambassador for a Smoke-free Society. He also received other awards and recognitions - ASAP 24K Artists, ASAP '09; 2010 Best New RnB Artist, Top Entertainment Awards; Male Star of the Night, First PMPC Star Awards for Music; Best New RnB Artist 2008 Asian Star Entertainment Awards (ASEA) and many more.

This song is my Ultimate Favorite song by Myrus :D

Myrus have shared the stage with various legendary musical icons from local and foreign industry. She had a duet with Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez in one of his major concert where Regine describe him as a very skilled singer with distinctly beautiful voice. With so many good words about his gifts as a vocalist—from other topnotch singers, no less—it’s refreshing to note that Myrus has remained modest and with both feet kept firmly on the ground. Myrus was also the only Filipino that performed alongside nine global artists at the “Then & Now: Massive Music Festival 2010” held last year at the SM Mall of Asia.  He performed with various international performers with the likes of: JoJo, Diana King, SWV, P.M. Dawn, V Factory, Frankie J, Baby Bash, All-4-One, and TQ.

Now, Myrus is busy for “Tunog Natin”, a FREE concert featuring some of the most distinguished and promising names in the local music scene. He is the project head of the concert series seeks to revive interest and appreciation for OPM to assure the future of both the artists and Filipino music. Filipino audiences are urged to help bring new life to OPM and save the heritage and legacy of Filipino musicians by attending this free concert series. These concerts will not only showcase the beauty and creativity of Filipino music but will also preserve and promote OPM for generations to come. This will be staged at the Ayala Triangle Gardens on June 15 to lobby for public support for the slowly fading Original Pilipino Music (OPM).

Luckily, I had a chance to chat with Myrus yesterday morning. And here is the things we have talked about.

Myrus is set to record his sophomore album. He’s still tight-lipped on the information but he did hint that the songs on the second album will both challenge him as a singer and highlight is vocal gifts.  With the worth he places in friendship, trust, patience and self-improvement, as well as his giant talent, it looks like the future of OPM is assured with Myrus carrying the set on fire in the years to come.