In the Middle of the Night
Rico J. Puno
PINOY GROOVE EXPERIENCE (Philippine Popular Music Revisited):
In the Middle of the Night - Rico J. Puno (1984)
From the aptly titled The Great Performer LP from 1984, one of the Philippine’s most dynamic and soulful singers that really made his impact during the Manila Sound era, Rico J. Puno was significant in supporting and promoting Filipino popular music in the late 70’s. Puno not only sang original pop ballads by some of the Philippines most renowned song writers, but he also re-interpreted a number of American Soul music.
Asides from all the music stuff, he was probably the smoothest mack daddy of all contemporary Pinoy artists. An all around performer with a charismatic stage presence, Rico J., as he is also known, played to large venues and hosted his own TV shows.
This track is from his less heralded period, but it brings together his velvety song stylings with a very identifiable classic 80’s production. It does sound a bit like something from Lionel Richie’s All Night Long or Quincy Jones’ The Dude. You can almost hear James Ingraham doing some back up vocals. Nice tune to dim the lights too.
This. (at Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA))
Soon.
From LAAPFF: “Working in a distinctly collaborative policy with people interested in telling stories about places and their impact on people’s lives, the members of local media studio Form follows Function have produced non-fiction, place-based videos that offer a unique, often unseen perspective of the contemporary Los Angeles architectural and social landscape. Join us as the braintrust of Form follows Function shares their process of uncovering L.A.’s unsung landmarks in a program that will include select highlights from past works, their audience engagement efforts via the web and social media, and a few special surprises that you won’t want to miss.”
AFTER Party
Venice, California: Obscured Celebrity
(Some of my photos from the EyeEm LA Meet Up: Venice Edition)
blue balloon
TheWayWeWere_Edit
Josie Quizon Andico
PINOY GROOVE EXPERIENCE (Philippine Popular Music Revisited):
The Way We Were (Home Recording) - Josie Quizon Andico (1980’s)
I was recently asked by a cousin of mine if I knew of a place that can convert a cassette recording into CD because she had this recording of her mom singing. Ecstatic, I jumped at the chance to transfer the song into an MP3. I couldn’t wait to hear my aunt, who had recently passed away, sing.
My aunt was the late Josie Quizon Andico and she was a trailblazing Filipino jazz singer from the 50’s performing in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and other countries as well as Philippines. I won’t go into to much detail but she’s featured in Richie C. Quirino’s books Pinoy Jazz Traditions and Mabuhay Jazz as well as various web sites such as ( http://www.pinoytuner.com/features/view/1415/22/planetjazz/jazz_heart_presents_josie_quizon_andico#.UXok2Su4E1s ) . A true pioneer in Philippine music. She was also part of the showbiz clan that consisted of Zeny, Georgie, Laura, Auring and, of course, Dolphy Quizon.
Growing up I never really heard her sing. I asked her one time if she ever recorded anything in the studio. Maybe cut a 78rpm? Sadly, she said she didn’t. So to actually have this precious cassette in my hands made me really proud and honored.
This was a home recording long after her retirement from singing, I believe. It’s her version of the Bergmans and Hamlisch tear jerker made a sensation by Barbara Streisand in the 1973 movie of the same name. My aunt was in her 50’s and her voice was still so clear and iridescent.
Excuse the cut off intro (someone must have been late on the record button on the cassette). Hope you enjoy this rare recording and a major part of my family’s history.
One ‘80: Chemical Reaction
Click here:
http://www.mixcloud.com/joelquiz/one-80-chemical-reaction/
4th installment of the One ‘80 series of 12” versions and deep cuts from the 80’s.
This one is some 80’s dance pop 12 inches. Fun fun.
One ‘80: Chemical Reaction
Dr. Beat (Instrumental) - Miami Sound Machine
Dancing In My Sleep (Instrumental) - Secret Ties
Baila Bolero (Bolero Dance Mix) - Fun Fun
Cha Cha Cha (Bass & Drums / Instrumental) - Finzy Kontini
Shy Boy (Don’t It Make You Feel Good) (Dub Version) - Bananarama
Physical Attraction (12” Version) - Madonna
Mercedes Boy (Bonus Beats) - Pebbles
Should I Say Yes (Bassapella) - Nu Shooz
Totohanin Mo
Pilita Corrales
PINOY GROOVE EXPERIENCE (Philippine Popular Music Revisited):
Totohanin Mo - Pilita Corrales (Early 80’s)
By the looks of the album cover it’s pretty apparent that the Philippine’s legendary singer/entertainer and justifiably dubbed “Asia’s Queen of Song,” Pilita Corrales, was venturing off to unfamiliar territory. Even though the record keeps in tune with the rest of her oeuvre of dramatic ballads, there is a distinctly modern and adventurous approach to the double LP Yakapin Mo Ako / Abrazame.
As the liner notes states, the record combined the talents of living legend Corrales, as well as the hottest producer, lyricist and arranger of the time (Jose Mari Gonzalez, Levi Celerio, and Dante Trinidad). This was apparently a high budget affair that was mastered abroad.
The production level is high and it’s in full strength in this track. A string heavy, slow burn with definite Spanish influence, a Latin rhythm, a telenovela lustiness and a late-disco low end, “Totohanin Mo” is a pretty captivating and hot little number. Also has a great intro.
And finally, to quote from the liner notes, “The songs as interpreted by Pilita Corrales are not only sung with the tongue, but with life.” (huh?) Anyways, passion is Corrales’ bread and butter and this song does not disappoint.
remixes, instrumentals, deep cuts, rescued from the purge stack.
part of a series of compilations/soft mixes by Century Sound & Style
1. beng, beng, beng - femi kuti (mateo & matos remix)
2. unfinished symphony (instr) - massive attack (nellee hooper remix)
3. elevate my mind (alt. mix) - stereo mc’s
4. ravers suck our sound - la funk mob (N.O.W. remix)
5. ain’t no sunshine (instr) - demastas
6. tell me (6 karat hip hop mix) - groove theory
7. killing me softly (sound barrier mix) - the fugees
8. think it over - brenda russell
word enhanced photos/photos enhanced words
EyeEm link above for more and continuing.
house
(click on link below)
((3rd upload due to technical issues. apologies. thanks.))
http://www.mixcloud.com/joelquiz/forever-x-love-x-forever-a-house-mix/
Outside looking in looking out looking back at you.
divestreetphotography at Miracle Mile - Los Angeles by Joel Quizon on EyeEm
Ikaw Pa Rin
Tito Mina
PINOY GROOVE EXPERIENCE (Philippine Popular Music Revisited):
Ikaw Pa Rin - Tito Mina (1980?)
Here’s a smooth bossa nova track from an under-appreciated artist from the Manila Sound era. A contemporary of Hajji Alejandro, Rico J Puno and Basil Valdez, Tito Mina had a string of hits during the late 70’s to early 80’s before eventually leaving the Philippines to live in Europe with his European wife. Wish I had more info!
Coincidentally, this is yet another re-working of the “I’ll Never Find Another You” Seekers track that Nora Aunor also recorded and I’ve also posted about. When Filipinos like something, we like it to death. This version is unrecognizable really from any of the previous versions. Lyrics are different and it’s done in classic late 70’s Pinoy bossa groove perfected by Bong Penera. Contemporary jazz bossa nova singer Sitti Navarro has also covered this version.
Nice vibe.
