The continuing story of Freestyle

It is the fervent desire of any recording artist to have a hit song. Why not, one or two big sellers have been known to sustain careers for a long time. If they have more hits that live on for ages then they become legends. Think of how it is when Paul McCartney walks into a room and somebody starts playing Yesterday.

The band Freestyle emerged from the nightspots of Davao in 1998 already armed with what would be an extraordinary seller, Before I Let You Go, which would soon become its Yesterday.  Composed by Top Suzara, the song took the group to the top. Its appeal was so massive that Freestyle eventually became one of the biggest acts in the history of Philippine pop music. Of course, later hits like So Slow and that monster duet of Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang with Pops Fernandez helped, too.

Nearly 20 years later, time now to take a look and especially to give a listen to Freestyle. There have been many changes, upheavals even, over the years. Top and girl soloist Jinky Vidal have gone on to successful solo careers. Other founding members Tat Suzara on guitars and Gerald Banzon on drums are still around. But everybody else in the present composition came on board in recent years. 

So now, aside from Tat and Gerald, today’s Freestyle has Ava Santos, acoustic recording artist on vocals; Rommel dela Cruz on bass; Joshua Desiderio, vocals and keyboards; and Mike Luis, who writes most of the songs, is also on vocals and keyboards.

But the band has not only survived. Well, there was really no question it will. Before I Let You Go plus later stuff like Mananatili, Half Crazy and I’d Still Say Yes keep Freestyle in good demand. What I find most heartening is this group’s continuing enthusiasm for what they do, not only for gigs but most especially for writing and recording songs.

The latest album is Mga Kwentong Kinanta. It is an all-new, all-original collection that should gladden the hearts of anybody concerned about the future of Philippine pop music. Like Freestyle here, our artists are there to create the songs. All that is needed is for people to find time to listen and find out for themselves that there is so much for them to like and enjoy.

Produced by Tat, it is easy to like Mga Kwentong Kinanta and not only because it is by Freestyle. The 10 songs in it are little love stories told in the usual jazzy and soulful Freestyle way. As the album cover designed and rendered by Mike Luis clearly says, these are seeds for a komiks tale or even better for a movie.

The songs are True Love, Kulang Ang Mga Sandali, Isang Halik, Kung Di Rin Lang Ikaw, Pasensya Na and Mahal, all of them composed by Mike except, Paputol-putol written by Nar Cabico; Bangon and Kahapon by Rommel dela Cruz; and Paano Nga Kaya by Joshua Desiderio.

This is a well-produced album. The playing is breezy and very competent. The band is in fine form. I also like the little accents like the cello in Pasensiya Na or the trombone in Bangon. Ava’s vocals has more torch in it then Jinky’s flirtatious singing, which is just as well.  That is just what songs with lyrics like “Ang nuon natin sariwa pa, tila’y kahapon lamang, may mga pagkakamaling sana nuo’y naayos na lang…” in Paano Nga Kaya or “Binubulong ng puso ko, sana nama’y pagbigyan mo na kay tagal ko nang tinatago ang nadaramang ito…” in Pasensiya Na, need to work well.

Meanwhile, take a look at what videos are on Top 10 of the MYX and MTV Pinoy charts this week. 

From the Pinoy MYX Countdown: Para Sa ‘Yo by Juan Karlos Labajo; Stuck, Darren Espanto; Isang Araw, Kaye Cal; Tidal Wave, Julie Anne San Jose; Paano Ba Ang Magmahal, Sarah Geronimo and Piolo Pascual; Puede Nang Mangarap, Lyca Gairanod; Turn Back Time, Slapshock; Now I’m Dancing, Callalily; Cruisin’, Christian Bautista with Julie Anne San Jose; and Dance Without The Music, Yeng Constantino.

From MTV Pinoy: Triangulo by Thyro Alfaro and Yumi Lacsamana feat. Jeric Medina; Sa Ibang Mundo, Nadine Lustre and Kean Cipriano; Edge Of The World, Yassi Pressman and Josh Padilla; Paratingin Mo Na Sya, Davey Langit; Wag Kang Pabebe, Vice Ganda; La la, Yassi Pressman; Musikaw, James Reid; Paano Ba Ang Magmahal, Sarah Geronimo and Piolo Pascual; Happy Breakup, Donnalyn Bartolome; and Iyong-iyo, Sponge Cola.