THE METRO MANILA DANCEHALL AUTHORITY!

Milagros Dancehall Collective was founded in 2003 at the crews first Makati residence in Milagros St. Dancehall reggae was the common denominator that brought the boys to form the band.Dancehall was the music that reigned on their PC at home, and artists like Yellowman, Lt. Stitchie, Mad Cobra, Bounty Killer, Beenieman, Elephant Man, Sean Paul, Lady Saw, Red Rat and Damien Marley constantly reverberated throughout the whole apartment building. As such, dancehall figured prominently when the idea of coming together and forming a band came up.

"First off, it has to be made clear that we are not a dancehall band in the sense that we play strictly dancehall. The name Milagros Dancehall Collective represents: 1) where we’re from 2) the music we were all into when we decided to play together 3) how we see our merry troop -- a loose collection of friends who just happen to kick ass onstage, he he. Jamaican dancehall artists don’t even use live musicians on their CDs. If we were hard pressed to give a category to our music, it would still fall under reggae. It’s still very much rooted in the Jamaican sound, but what makes it different is probably our whole mindset when it comes to being a band and making music. We have a very strong “original-material-takes-precedence” work ethic. In fact, we have never actually rehearsed a Bob Marley piece as cover song material. We want to be known for our original stuff as opposed to being “that band which does a mean version of Santeria by Sublime.” Know what I mean?

When it comes to our sound, we incorporate a lot more hip-hop and guitar-driven rock into our live sets than most reggae groups do. We also don’t use a horn section simply because we’re not going for the festive, island mood. We’ve also started using music samples to bulk up the sound. We’re just continually experimenting, searching for ways to push the envelope and sail farther away from everybody else out there." as narrated by Robert Martinez aka Robby Ranks.

The members of the Collective currently in the performing lineup are: Caio Cadiz (Caioman) on keyboards and backup vocals; Macky Macaventa (Burnie Mac) on bass; Rob Martinez (Robbie Ranks) on vocals; Sappy Saplala (General Sappy) on lead guitar and backup vocals; Al Sese (Emperor Alphonse) on the drum kit; and Carlos Tirona (Caloy) on rhythm guitar. (Members on performing hiatus are: Mike Cruz, who did keyboards and musical direction and is currently based in Auckland, New Zealand, and Vince Chacon, currently a grade school teacher in Jakarta, Indonesia, who did percussions.) Though MDC boasts a lineup of experienced musicians, the group also manages to sound totally fresh. Nuff said. Play this loud!

(MDC performing at SaGuijo)

(Sunscreen by MDC)

1. Nice an' Sweet

2. Rasta Love

3. Baby Gal

4. Watch Me Now

5. Milagros Dance

6. Drop It

7. Collective Rock

8. Sunscreen

9. Tolus

10. What You Want

11. Me Name Is

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MANNY PACQUIAO LAMBRETTA

This Italian Lambretta will be presented on the 28th of January Thursday at Eastwood, Libis together with the regular set of Mod/Soul band Juan Pablo Dream. Everyone is invited

(picture courtesy of fellow scooterist Tops Martin during VCOP's inagural ride)

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COFFEE BREAK ISLAND

" Coffee Break Island is one of the well-known bands emerging in the Manila ska scene. The band was formed in Quezon City in 2001. CBI's sound is a mix of ska, reggae, soul, punk and a bit of rock & roll. Inspired by The Specials, The Clash, Hepcat, Toots and The Maytals, The Police, Sublime, Bob Marley and many others - this band made a niche of their own, pushed boundaries and defied expectations with their music, proof of which are the original compositions made by the evolution of sound experimentation. " This introduction was taken from their website http://coffeebreakisland.com/

This is the band's present line up - Paul Puti-An (vocals/guitar), Jun Nogoy (drums / back up vocals), Romel Manuel ( bass) and Raffie Miranda (keyboard). CBI started as a side project back then because allof the members belong to different ska and reggae bands in Manila. Jun Nogoy was with Manila's premiere ska band Put3ska, Paul and Romel were with Snubhouse if I'm not mistaken.

CBI is one of the best, potent and hardworking band that I know. We knew all of them before forming this band because we used to play alongside other ska/reggae/skinhead bands on the early days of Club Ska and the regular Ska nights at Club Dredd at EDSA and Mayric's. Since then we've been friends and drinking buddies with this great band. Paul's husky and soulful voice, Romel's engaging bass lines, Jun's effectiveand sticky rimshots and Raffie's liquid keyboard licks make this band standout from the rest . This sekf titled album was released last 2007 independently and a 2nd album will be released this summer. See them live and you'll know what I mean. Play this loud. RESPECT!

( Party Song - one of the bands earliest and well known compositions)

(2nd official video from their album. This video also features Arnold Morales of Urban Bandits, Put3ska and Tsunami Tsunami)

01 Hoy!

02 Gahaman

03 Big Trouble

04 Don't Fool Around

05 Pakikinggan

06 It's Gonna Be Alright

07 Let You Go

08 Sweet Lovin'

09 I Long For

10 You'll Be Mine

11 I'm Down

12 She's So Fine

13 Party Song

14 Hoy Ulit!

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MOJO Mod Club Party

Another scorcher from MOJO magazine back on their June 2005 issue. Hammond lickers, some Brit soul and R&B in this musical plate. Enjoy and play this loud!

1. Amen Corner - Expressway to Your Heart

2. The Contours - Just a Little Misunderstanding

3. Billy Preston - Billy's Bag

4. Rod Stewart & PP Arnold - PP Arnold

5. Timebox - Beggin'

6. The Quik - Bert's Apple Crumble

7. Tony Jackson Group - Fortune Teller

8. The Animals - I'm Crying

9. The Birds - Leaving Here

10. Ike & Tina Turner - I Can't Believe What You Say

11. Jimmy McGriff - All About My Girl

12. Phil Upchurch Combo - You Can't Sit Down (Parts 1 & 2)

13. The Small Faces - Get Yourself Together

14. Bettye Swann - Make Me Yours

15. Brenda Holloway - Every Little Bit Hurts

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THE CHANGING MAN

Mojo Presents The Changing Man (2008 UK 15-track compilation CD only available with the June issue of the Mojo magazine, featuring three lost Paul Weller classics including Are You Trying To Be Lonely? by Paul & Andy Lewis andLeft Right & Centre by Lord Large featuring Dean Parrish (one of the first tracks Paul wrote). All choice cuts, nothing is left unturned. We will serve you more in the future. RESPECT! Play this loud!

01. Lord Large feat. Dean Parrish - Left Right & Centre

02. Small Faces - Get Yourself Together

03. Graham Coxon - Click Click Click

04. World Column - So Is The Sun

05. Andy Lewis & Paul Weller - Are You Trying To Be Lonely

06. Mother Earth - Mr Freedom

07. Bob Marley & The Wailers - Small Axe

08. Gil Scott-Heron - The Bottle

09. Richie Havens - Handouts In The Rain

10. Declan O’Rourke - Galileo (Somone Like You)

11. William Bell - My Whole World Is Falling Down

12. Hamish Imlach - Black in The Colour

13. Dinah Washington - September In The Rain

14. The Steple Singers - (It Takes More Thab) A Hammer And Nails

15. Washington Phillips - Take Your Burden To The Lord And Leave It There

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BELOW THE BASS LINE

The man who taught Bob Marley how to play the guitar has finally got his just rewards. "BELOW THE BASSLINE" is a brilliant example of Jamaican Jazz in it's purest form. Ernest Ranglin has fast fingers for someone in his 60's. He has also mastered the technique of feathering the guitar strings with beathtaking precision. Add to this; an uncanny ability to comunicate such rich emotion through his music, and you have one sensational piece of music. This disc is testimony to his great love of Jazz, and his birth right Jamaica. Smooth, charming, and rhythmic. This is music you can either kick back and listen to, or get up and dance to. With "Below the Bassline", Ernest Ranglin has demolished any generation gap he may have had with the young or the old. This music is for everyone. Contagious to the last note.

Every reggae/ska enthusiast should own a copy of Below the Bassline, study it, live it, examine it, and realize its contribution to the music world. The expert musicianship on this album is top-notch. Monty Alexnader's piano playing will have you humming licks and tappin toes. And Ernest Ranglin, the uncrowned king of reggae guitar, adds dimensions of spice, fluidity, and maturity to enveloping bass-lines and funky drumming. The last tune on the album, is one of the best, roots roots roots.anyone who knows anything about the elements of reggae, the roots of ska, and the foundations of jazz should be honored to own a copy of Below The Bassline

This album makes really your day or night! It's honest. It has a lot of emotions, travelling mood and a lot of guitar magic-riffs. An Ernest Ranglin's classic. RESPECT.

1. Congo Man
2. Surfin'
3. King Tubby Meets The Rockers
4. Satta Massagana
5. 54-46 (Was My Number)
6. Ball Of Fire
7. Black Disciples
8. Bourbon Street Skank
9. None Shall Escape The Judgement
10. Nana's Chalk Pipe
11. Below The Bassline

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90's GRUNGE

Hello people, it's been a long time since our last post. A month to be exact. Skunk was busy with his art and putting up art exhibits in the city. I found a new job last November after 8 months of doing nothing and have been busy since then and of course, we celebrated the holidays.

This is our first post for the year 2010. Who could have imagined that there are still no flying and transforming cars, giant mechas, 2 stroke scooters are being phased out and gasoline is this fucking expensive in 2010. Well, enough of this rant. Let's start the year right.

I'm here in my room, enjoying a pint of Guiness draught my cousin from Washington sent me (bless you, Jerel) and a bag of Cheetos while thinking of the words to say here. Well actually he sent me a Guiness 6 pack and I've been saving it until I get better from this 2 week cough and cold spoiler. But I thought, what the hell! I'll have two draughts tonight! It tastes creamy and toasty at the same time, it's great. I'm pretty sure that Guiness is a lot better served in a Guiness tulip glass straight from the tap.

Now, to start the year - we have two live shows from two bands from the so called "grunge scene" of the 90's.

First off, we have Pearl Jam. Formed in Seattle Washington in 1990.They released their debut album "Ten" in 1991 and in my honest opinion, their best album ever. This 1992 band line up includes Eddie Vedder (vocals), Jeff Ament (bass), Stone Gossard (rhthym guitar) and Mike McCready (lead guitar) and Dave Abrruzzese (drums). The set list is mostly from their debut album, one from the movie "Singles" (State of Love and Trust) in which they also had a cameo.

My Pearl Jam was so overused, I listened to it before i go to sleep, while making my homework, before going to school and while cleaning the house and the broomstick as my guitar - setting up the volume really loud and absorbing everything.

Pearl Jam

June 18, 1992

Volkshaus

Zurich, Switzerland

01 Intro

02 Oceans

03 Even Flow

04 Why Go

05 Jeremy

06 State of Love and Trust

07 Improv (Love You Hate You)

08 Black

09 Alive

10 (I'm Not Crazy) Once

11 Footsteps

12 Deep

13 Leash

14 jam (Shower the People) (Brass in Pocket) (Meaningless)

15 Porch

16 Crowd

17 Suggestion

18 Garden

19 Rockin' in the Free World

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Stone Temple Pilots beginnings can be traced back to a 1986 Long Beach, CA Black Flag concert where Scott Weiland met Robert DeLeo and began discussing their girlfriends. They both realized that they were dating the same woman and developed a bond and eventually broke with the girl. Soon after Weiland and deleo formed a band. There were personnel changes until settling to Erik Kretz on drums and Robert's brother Dean DeLeo on guitar. They built their fan base in San Diego, California and released their first album "Core" in 1992. The band was harshly criticized as "Grunge" imitators most notably as a 2nd rate Pearl Jam copy cat. Inspite of negative reviews from music critics, STP continued to gain and attract fans. When I first heard their single "Plush" in '92, I really thought Pearl Jam released a new single. Scott Weiland's voice has a similar timbre to Eddie Vedder during that time and if your not familiar with their respective songs, you'll surely mistook one singer to the other. STP released their second album "Purple" in 1994 and the single and radio friendly "Interstate Love Song" became number one on the charts. Scott Weiland was arrested for drug possession in 1995 and it was the beginning of Weiland's drugs and alcohol issues. STP disbanded several times and Weiland joined ex Guns and Roses members to form Velvet Revolver in 2003. Weiland left Velvet Revolver in 2008 and reunited with Stone Temple Pilots.

This concert was held in Connecticut with the band promoting their 2nd album "Purple. The last four songs are taken from their debut album "Core". Enjoy and play this loud!

Stone Temple Pilots - 1994-08-25 - New Haven, CT

(Interstate Love Songs Bootleg)

01. Vasoline

02. Silvergum Superman

03. Crackerman

04. Lounge Fly

05. Meatplow

06. Still Remains

07. Midnight Roundup

08. Pretty Penny (Acoustic)

09. Creep (Acoustic)

10. Andy Warhol (Acoustic)

11. Army Ants

12. Big Empty

13. Interstate Love Song

14. Plush

15. Unglued

16. Dead & Bloated

17. Sex Type Thing

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