Why EMI is on a roll

EMI Recorded Music Philippines has struck gold – and platinum – with a diverse group of relatively new international acts, which Norman Cheng, Chairman and CEO of EMI Recorded Music Southeast Asia describes as "our ammunition for the future."

Cheng is referring to the phenomenal regional sales success of British R&B outfit Blue (whose album turned Platinum in the Philippines and has added to the over 400,000 copies sold in Asia so far, and out-selling most of the world’s more established acts), Kylie Minogue’s Fever, currently over 300,000 in sales across the region while Blue Note artist Norah Jones’ album, Come Away With Me is approaching sales of 100,000. Coldplay, with its critically-acclaimed sophomore album A Rush of Blood to the Head has already racked up sales of over 140,000. The group’s second single, The Scientist, a powerful and haunting ballad was recently released and is enjoying tremendous airplay. Coldplay has recently been nominated for four MTV Europe Music Awards (Best Group, Best Album, Best Rock Act, Best UK & Ireland Act). Earlier this year, they won a Grammy for Best Alternative Album for their debut album Parachutes.

Meanwhile in the local front, Slapshock’s Project 11-41 has turned gold. The rap metal group is still enjoying its tremendously successful solo concert at the Folk Arts theatre which was filled to the rafters. They also released a specially re-packaged CD of Project 11-41 that includes a VCD of the group’s music videos and footage of their successful FAT concert.

Scintillating singer Patricia Javier is riding high with her debut album PJ, and is continuing her mall tour on Nov. 16 at Robinsons Place Novaliches, Nov. 17 at Robinsons Starmills Pampanga, Nov. 23 at Robinsons Place Imus and Nov. 24 at Robinsons Metroeast. Meanwhile, Vina Morales’ follow-up single from her album Reflections is her musical collaboration with Gary Valenciano billed Sana Dumating Ka Na which is now climbing the radio hit charts nationwide.

Speaking of collaborations, EMI Philippines is set to break barriers and cross cultural bridges through music with Kyla doing a song with Fra Lippo Lippi and Slapshock collaborating with their Malaysian counterpart PopShuvit.

Cheng credits their successes for the "intelligent and focused marketing efforts" of their regional and local teams. "I have always said, size does matter. It all starts and stops with the music of Blue, Kylie, Coldplay, Norah Jones and our other formidable artists, EMI has a diverse group of musicians who appeal to just as diverse a group of listeners."

"Instead of a scattergun approach to marketing, something I have seen happen, the various marketing teams have focused on the strengths of each of these artists and have delivered success after success. This, despite the socio-economic problems plaguing this region."

Cheng also adds that "for a relative newcomer like Norah Jones to sell almost 100,000 units in this region is phenomenal. The same goes for Blue and Coldplay."

According to Cheng, EMI in Southeast Asia is now focused on repeating the success achieved by Blue, Coldplay etc. with top UK act Atomic Kitten, highly-rated Australian band The Vines, UK-based classical/crossover act The Planets and new Capitol USA singing OK Go.

Meanwhile, EMI Philippines is now on a roll to promote their new releases which include the quintessential music lover’s CD; Forty Licks by the Rolling Stones. This two CD set contains 36 vintage Rolling Stones classics (including Start me Up, Miss You, Jumping Jack Flash, Paint it Black and Satisfaction) and four new songs (including their latest single Don’t Stop).

Also, Julia Fordham is back with a new album called Concrete Love while girl group Atomic Kitten (considered today as UK’s top selling act occupying the no.1 position in the British charts) is still riding high with Feels So Good.

A compilation album that contains 18 memorable hits from the past, Feelings is also released by EMI Philippines.

Tracklist includes Morris Albert’s Feelings, Rod Stewart’s I Don’t Want To Talk About It, Simon & Garfunkel’s Scarborough Fair, Billy Ocean’s Suddenly and Dan Hill’s Sometimes When We Touch.

Blue recently released its second album One Love which also features a collaboration with music legend Elton John for a remake of Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word. Danish trio C21 is gaining notice with their debut single Stuck in My Heart from their self-titled debut album. And Robbie Williams, EMI’s newest addition is back with Escapology, is tagged as his best work yet. The album’s carrier single is Feel, which features a music video with Darryl Hannah.