The latest from Rockstar and other Pinoy boy groups

Now available in the market are two new albums from Rockstar. These are the all new production, Rockstar 3: Ripe and Ready and the Greatest Hits compilation. Surely one of the most enduring among, the local boy groups, Rockstar continues to withstand new music trends, membership changes and a now-you-see-them, now-you-don’t career status thanks to producer and songwriter Vehnee Saturno.

The group’s latest reincarnation is made up of vocalist Joseph Aldana, keyboard player Elmer Blancaflor and guitarist Kenneth James Capuli. This trio makes its debut with Ripe and Ready which was also produced by Vehnee and which includes the usual Rockstar fare of light and sentimental rock ballads. Best bets are Hindi Ko Maisip and Sana’y Maisip Mo, a Filipino version of an early Rockstar hit Parting Time.

The Greatest Hits collection is made up of Rockstar hits from the past seven years. These are Bakit, Mahal Kita, Alam Mo Ba, I’m Sorry My Love, Villa Quintana, Wala Pa Ring Iba, Nagbabakasakali, Patawarin Mo, Bakit Pa, Nang Siya’y Mawalay, It Hurts Me More, Ika’y Mahal Pa Rin and Sumpa.

This group was born on Dec. 1, so the members decided to call themselves the Twelve-O-One or 1201. It is made up of Don Arque, Jon Perez, Albert Henoguin, Dodie Victor and Gary Garcia, young professionals whose love for singing brought them together. Theirs is a sweet, mellow sound, a romantic cross between the harana of old and the Manila Sound of the ’70s.

What gives 1201 the edge over other groups is that these guys write their own songs and they made a good job of picking out the materials-for-their first album, which is also titled 1201. The only cover in the collection is Sa Bawa’t Sandali, which is a composition by Danny Subido. If I remember right, Danny was a member of the famous Moonstrucks many years ago. After he left the group he went into songwriting and production and later pioneered the mellow boy band sound in the Philippines with the very successful Flippers. Including a Danny Subido song in 1201 is a really nice gesture.

The other cuts in the album are Kaibigan Lang, Ngayong Wala Ka Na (Ayoko Na), I Wonder Why, Heaven’s On Our Side, If You Only Knew, Kahit Minsan, Beside Myself, Pain of Losing You and the first single release, Nag-iisang Bituin, which you will agree is as sentimental as an old Filipino love song.

Like most Pinoy boy groups, the sound of Freeverse is also soft and mellow but they spice things up with hints of R&B. So what we get is a more soulful take on their kind of pinoy pop music. This style puts Freeverse right at home with the likes of Maybe This Time by Michael Murphy, All Behind Us Now by Patti Austin, After All by Al Jarreau, I Just Can’t Let Go by David Pack of Ambrosia, Send Me One by Spyro Gyra and Always be There by Lou Pardini, which are the covers included in the band’s second album release titled Alive.

Freeverse, one of the more established bands around, mixes new works and old favorites in Alive. The total effect is similar to watching these guys in their live gigs wherein they do established crowd pleasers, which gained them, their following and some of their originals. The best cut is Pardini’s Always Be There, which they do very well. The other tunes included are Dina Bonnevie’s Bakit Ba Ganyan, Four Bytes, Didn’t Set Me Free, Tell Me Why, Make Believe and the title cut.

Freeverse is composed of Ned Lawrence Esguerra, Bong Maguito, Ryan Ortiz, Aya Yuson, Joel Tolentino and Kiko Verzosa.

If I am not mistaken, Baby, I Love You must also be the second album released by the J Brothers. The group made up of Joy, Jay and Jim, all surnamed Jimenez and close friend Jack Bacalan, has proven itself to be a consistent hitmaker with its plaintive love ballads. The sound is that mix of R&B and country which has been a staple among Pinoy music lovers for many years. Among the earlier hits popularized by J Brothers are Dear Ana, Sana’y Bigyan Mo ng Pansin, Wait for Me and Labanan ang Tukso.

Expect more from the new album. Baby, I Love You has the making of a big winner. Sorry Mahal also has a lot of potential. Then there are also Promise Me, Miss Kita, Ganyan Ka Lang, Okey Na Sa Akin, Magpakailanman, Hiling, Di Ba’t Sabi Mo, Puede Ba, Baunin Mo ang Pag-ibig and Sweetheart.