MANILA, Philippines - After releasing his successful self-titled debut which earned a Gold award, Gabby Concepcion again treats followers with his new album titled Unforgettable.

Although he admits he never dreamt of becoming a recording star, Fernando Poe Jr. backed Gabby up and encouraged him to learn how to sing.

Unforgettable was recently launched in A.S.A.P. XV. Gabby himself chose the ballads in the album which also contains classics from the `50s, `60s, and `70s. One of the songs is Moon River, a ballad that set the mood for the soap Lovers in Paris.

Barry Manilow has a new album. It is called The Greatest Love Songs Of All Time and every cut can certainly lay claim to the title. OK, it does not include As Time Goes By but I think Barry has already done it either in his Greatest Hits series or in another one of his earlier releases. Forget that and you will find lots to like about this CD.

One is that this set is a better collection than any of his previous ones. This is not just because of the line-up but of the way these are presented. Barry, who played the piano in some cuts, helped arrange all the songs. And then he sings with the big orchestra with lots of strings which sounds just like in the motion picture scores of old.

This is how we have always thought that these songs should be performed for maximum effect, like in a movie. And Barry got the atmosphere, so right. Now if you want to indulge in some romantic daydreaming this Valentineâ??s Day weekend at home, this is the album for you. So bring out the popcorn and curl up on the couch.

Another thing is the material Barry chose to include. There are the usual oldie stuff of love songs albums like Love Is Here To Stay, I Only Have Eyes For You and Where Do I Begin? (The theme from Love Story). But there are also some seldom-heard beauties like Nevertheless, It Could Happen To You and How Deep Is The Ocean.

All of these songs are classic examples of the finest songwriting efforts of the past 100 years. Think of the brothers George and Ira Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Burt Bacharach and Hal David, Francis Lai, Dorothy Fields, Harry Warren, Kalmar and Ruby, Jimmy Van Heusen, Paul Williams and others. They are all represented here.

MANILA, Philippines - Seven-time Grammy winner John Mayer is finally back with his fourth studio album Battle Studies. It is produced by John and Steve Jordan and debuts three years after his critically-acclaimed 2006 album, Continuum.

Incorporating the warmth melodies and simplicity of `70s and â??80s California rock/pop, Battle Studies is a confessional, relaxed and liberated album recorded in a private home in California where John lived and worked over the course of six months before wrapping at the famed Capitol Studios in Los Angeles.

The first single, Who Says, challenges conventional standards of what one can accomplish or undertake â?? despite societyâ??s constraints. Battle Studies also showcases universal themes on Heartbreak Warfare, Assassin and War of My Life, while flexing guitar chops on Rock Song, and a reinterpretation of Crossroads.

MANILA, Philippines - They started as a young band eager to play and share their music to people. Since then, their success has been unparalleled.

Two major label releases (Destination XYZ and Fisheye), a gold record, more than five No. 1 singles (Stars, Take My Hand, Magbalik, Pasan, Sanctuary and Susundan), and screaming fans, Callalily has achieved more than any band has experienced.

Now, Callalily is moving forward and it is evident on its third self-titled album. To its members ? drummer Lemuel Belaro, bassist Aaron Ricafrente, rhythm guitarist Tatsi Jamnague, lead guitarist Alden Acosta and vocalist Kean Cipriano, the brand new offering is a representation of who they are as a band, hence self-titled.

?It was designed to be an honest, no-frills showcase of our emotions and views. The album was to symbolize being about ?us? in our purest form,? Alden said.

Guiding them for this work is ex-Eraserhead and The Dawn bassist Buddy Zabala.

There is a lot to be happy about with the release of Sharon Cuneta?s latest album Musika At Pag-ibig. For one, it heartens me to know that despite her very busy schedule, she does movies and goes Chinese in a new Mano Po flick; television, her weekly show continues to rate high; and all those product endorsements; she has not forgotten her roots as a singer and would always from time to time return to recording.

For another, Sharon is an excellent interpreter. She is one of the very few who can take any song and make it sound new just like it was her very own. Think Ewan, Maging Sino Ka Man, Both Sides Now. Those were not her originals but she turned her versions into hits. Sharon covering an oldie is like giving a song a new lease on life. These cannot help but become popular again.

So when I saw the line-up of Musika At Pag-ibig, I knew at once that we can look forward to having a few of these Filipino compositions make it to the hit charts again for the first time after many years. I really do prefer to have Sharon do originals. Those become the covers of tomorrow. But given the way the local music industry is being besieged from all directions by foreign recordings and if covers can give sales a boost, I?d be very happy to have them.

For another still, the CD includes some of my personal favorites, including rarely heard ones that I am surprised Sharon decided to record. You know how it is nowadays with covers albums. The singers only want to record hits, which is why we keep getting the same songs in oldies collections. Now, thanks to Sharon and her huge fan following, a lot of listeners will now be able to discover for themselves how beautiful these songs are.