Pinoy Blues Jam - New Release Review

I just received a copy of Pinoy Blues Jam,  a recording made at Roadhouse Manila Bay featuring various regional blues bands. First up is Dr. Crowley, a blues rock band on the province of Cavite. Opening with rock n roll classic New Orleans DC brings it with full horn section getting the audience hot and ready. Ngiti has a more tropical feel but retaining a blues feel. Next up is Bleu Rascals featuring Paul Marmey Leobrera on lead guitar and vocal, Spencer Rymonte on bass and vocals and John Jason Garcia on drums and vocals. Opening with A Better Man, BR demonstrate their study of the blues with traditional blues riffs and phrasing. On a ripping version of Couldn't Stand The Weather they further demonstrate the power that they have harnessed. 69 Proof featuring Butch Montejo (lead vocal), Arwin Querubin (bass and vocals), Aldos "Bishop" Ramento (percussion and vocal), Stephen "The Ambassador" Lazam (lead guitar and vocal)and Carlo "Cigar" Manalo (drums). Playing three tracks, Evil Eyes, Killing Time and Till The Night Is Over, 69P demonstrates their ability to innovate the blues putting on quite an interesting set. I particularly enjoy the guitar work and performance on these tracks. Ian Lofamia Band featuring Ian Lofamia (harp and vocals), Arvin Austria (guitar), Ejae Mercado on drums and Oliver Salaysay on bass. A three track set: Play The Blues, Kaibigan and That's What Makes Me A Man shows that ILB has captured the spirit of the blues with slick harp riffs, cool vocals and hot guitar riffs. Sangre Blues Revival features Alcoholex Quebral (lead vocal and harp), Johnblues De Zuniga (lead and rhythm guitars), Burnblebyl Cuenca (bass and backing vocal)and Rexwoodstock Vargas (drums) playing ripping versions of Boom Boom, Got My Mojo Working and Roadhouse Rock. Outstanding harp, guitar and vocal supported by a tight band. Next up Tarantulas features Joonie Centeno (vocal and harp), Popoy Uy (lead and rhythm guitar), King Baldoz (bass) and Japs Reyes on drums. Playing U Turn, Dahan Dahan and Didi shows funk, pop and blues. This band has got to be a lot of fun in concert. The last band is Plug featuring Emy Rodil (vocal), Chester Manalang (guitar), Rusty Magcalas (drums)and John Marin Flores (Bass). Playing Blues Be With You and Slow Burn, Plug closes the set nicely with power style blues rock in the manner of Mountain. This is a real cool set of bands and I hope that we hear more from them.

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Tin Pan Alley - Bleu Rascals with Michael Bourne

Out of nowhere emerged Paul Marney Leobrera, at age 16 stepping onstage in early September 2010 for a single-song courtesy jam at Skarlet’s Jazz Kitchen, home base for Manila’s pre-eminent jazz sessionists. Jaws dropped over his musical maturity as a blues musician, and he was immediately asked to stay onstage for the rest of the night. And suddenly he began receiving invitations to “sit in” all over town.
Within months, Paul put together his own band, the Bleu Rascals, with friends Spencer Rymonte on bass and Darwin Quinto on drums, both 18. All three are intensely devoted to the blues, ranging from the traditional Chicago style and on to Stevie Ray Vaughn and John Mayer. They quickly established themselves as the tightest and most convincing blues band in Manila, even at their young age.
The band now is the busiest blues band in the Philippines, performing as many as four gigs in a single week. In early June 2011, they were selected as backup band for visiting American blues professional Michael Bourne. In four gigs over three days, including an online radio-TV broadcast, Michael and the Bleu Rascals gave some of the strongest blues performances seen in Manila night spots over the past 25 years.
The band is now receiving invitations to perform at major music festivals in Manila, and it has even been approached about performances outside of the country.
Yes, the future of the blues in the Philippines is indeed in good hands. And, with luck and lots of work, perhaps they will bring along with them a new generation of blues fans throughout the country.