The Manila Sound Project is led by Male
Rigor, Sonny Parsons and Joey Abando
MANILA: The Manila Sound is as original
Pinoy as traditional harana.
It’s the musicthat we never get sick
and tired of. Founded in the ’70s, the Manila Sound eventu- ally gave birth to
OPM (Original Pilipino Music) and is a mainstay on most Pinoy bands set list
whether perform- ing in the Philippines or abroad. It has been revived and
rearranged countless times through the decades.
Fortunately, most of the artists from
this phenomenal music generation are still alive and well and still do concerts
and performances every now and then.
Two years ago, three of the main archi-
tects of the Manila Sound movement got together and decided to join forces and
become one entity.
The union had a shaky start but as time
passed, the group got cohesive and better.
They have the distinction of being the
debut concert artist chosen by the management of Resorts World to perform at
the newly constructed Newport Per- forming Arts Theater.
Since then, they’ve done solo concerts
at Aliw Theater, Teatrino, Dusit Hotel, Hard Rock Café, Ynares Center, Legaspi
City, Angeles, Pampanga, Tagaytay, Davao, Subic, Panga- sinan, etc. Manila
Sound Project is touring again this year and started with a New Year’s Day
concert at Clark, Pampanga.
The current Manila Sound Project is
composed of Sonny Parsons, Joey Abando and Male Rigor.
Sonny was one of the lead singers of
Hagibis.
When the group broke up, he dabbled into politics, had a successful
movie career as an action star playing lead or co lead in over 20 movies, did
several TV series and sang as solo artist. Joey was the lead singer/composer of
the Boyfriends.
The group has not totally disbanded and
still perform every now and then locally or in the US. Before joining Manila
Sound Project two years ago, Joey had a flourishing singing career in Seoul,
Korea.
Male was an original member of VST
& Co. that included brothers Tito, Vic and Val Sotto and his own brother
Spanky. When VST & Co. split up, Male concentrated on non-music concerns
liketravel agencies and finance.
The Manila Sound Project is ably backed
by Carlo Gaa as musical director and keyboard player.
Carlo is also the favorite musical
director of Bobby Kimball (Toto), John Ford Coley, The Cascades, Peter &
Gordon, Rex Smith, China Crisis, Von Trapp Children, Dan Hill, Chris Montez, Matt
Monro Jr, etc, together with the Rex Band plus female vocalists Lara Cuevas
and Grace Cano.
Their set list is strictly OPM and
includes the Hagibis hits Katawan, Legs, Nanggigigil Kami, Ilagay Mo Kid;
Boyfriends hits Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal, Nais Kong Malaman Mo, Dahil Mahal
Kita, Sumayaw Sumunod, Salawahan; VST & Co. hits Awitin Mo Isasayaw Ko,
Rock Baby Rock, Ipagpatawad Mo, Disco Fever plus hits of other OPM artists.
Ahead of Valentine’s weekend, Manila
Sound Project has a concert at the home of OPM artists Music Museum on Feb 9.
Tickets are now on sale at Ticketworld
and at the Music Museum box-office. For details, e-mail
maddie@circlesentertainment.com.
-- PhilStar
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