About Universal Records

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Quezon City, Philippines
Universal Records is the NUMBER ONE independent record label in the Philippines. Bringing you quality music for the past 30 years, we are home to artists like: Jose Mari Chan, Gary Valenciano, Ogie Alcasid, Regine Velasquez, Lani Misalucha, Jed Madela, Christian Bautista, Jay R, Billy Crawford, Kris Aquino, Edu Manzano, Marian Rivera, Mark Herras, Nina, Ronnie Liang, Gail Blanco, Sam Concepcion. Our band roster includes: Parokya Ni Edgar, Kamikazee, Sponge Cola, Imago, Silent Sanctuary, Kenyo, Paraluman. We are equally committed to bring you exciting international releases covering various genres like pop, jazz, new age, classical, alternative, indie pop, rock, electronica, dance, r&b, and hip-hop. Name it, we definitely have it!

February 25, 2009

CRITICS ARE RAVING ABOUT THE PRODIGY'S NEW CD "INVADERS MUST DIE"!

“Nobody does The Prodigy like The Prodigy, and it’s a joy to have them back on all cylinders.” - Clash – 8/10, March 2009

“It’s hard to imagine many better records being release this year.” - London Lite, 5/5, 16th February 2009

“It is, quite simply, the big, brilliant, dumb rave album we have secretly want them to make for the past ten years.” - The Times, 4/5, 20th February 2009

“Seeing as your our generation’s probably never felt more jilted, we need The Prodigy.” - Loud and Quiet, 8/10 February 2009

“There’s still plenty of life left in the UK’s most influential rave beast.” - IDJ 10/10, March 2009

“What Howlett has done is perfect a sort of nostalgic futurism, a prism through which we can access those pleasures we’ve already enjoyed and look forward to those we don’t know about yet.” - Word – March 2009

“It’s great to have them back.” – Mixmag, 4/5, March 2009

“These party monsters and pop annihilators are still havin’ it, then – and making everyone want some too.” - Metro, 23rd February 2009

“A luminous trouser wearing, get off your face rave mash up of a long player.” - Look, 4/5, 23rd February 2009

“The twisted firestarters, red hot and raving again.” - The Observer 22nd February 2009

“You suspect that even Prodigy mainstay Liam Howlett wasn’t expecting his group to make another album as good as this.” - The Times, Playlist, 21st February 2009

“The Prodigy do what The Prodigy do, and have always done best: making stooped dance music to do your nut in.” - NME, 7/10, 21st February 2009

“This is a fully cohesive collection of turbo-chafed, old-skool rave-inspired anthems that fulfils their obvious mission statement: we ain’t finished yet.” - Zoo, 4/5, 20th February 2009

“A suitably lacerating mix for the most pulverising, pummelling and pleasuring rockers in the land.” - Daily Mirror, 4/5, 20th February 2009

“Few could contest there’s life in the old ravers yet.” - Shortlist, 19th February 2009

“As stupidly cool and relevant as their former glories.” - Mizz, 5/5 19th February 2009

“Will have everyone feeling young and angry again plus win the band a new generation of fans.” - News of The World, 4/5, 22nd February 2009

“Essex rave-rockers snap back into life. The Prodigy have rained down fire on the moronic nu-rave scene that’s sprung up in their wake.” - Kerrang!, 4/5, 21st February 2009

“The Prodge recapture some former hardcore rave glories.” - Record Collector March 2009

“As incendiary as ever.” - Harper’s Bazaar March 2009

“The Prodigy are back and they are here to dig up your dancing soul. Lock up EVERYTHING” - Clash - February 2009

“As devastating as you could hope for” - Mixmag – February 2009

“No other band has the crossover appeal of The Prodigy” - Kerrang – 3rd January 2009

“A fine, beat-blasting return.” - Kerrang! 3rd January 2009

“A frantic mash-up of breaks, rave and rock power all delivered in with the punk attitude that we know and love them for.” – DJ – January 2009

“The Prodigy are back! And boy is it a welcome return.” - IDJ – January 2009

“The Prodigy haven’t changed – they’ve just added enough new cusses to run up a national debt at the swear box.” **** – The Guardian - 16th December 2008 (Live Review)

“Brutal, skilful, faster, harder and more alive than ever before – the prodigal sons returned in style.” – Daily Star – 13th December 2008 (Live Review)

“Savage breakbeats, guitar hooks and plenty of swagger. It sounds like the second coming of the Jilted Generation.” - Metro – 12th December 2008

“The Prodigy are back to their best.” **** - The Daily Telegraph – 11th December 2008 (Live Review)

“The Prodigy can fairly be described as the techno equivalent of U2 or Oasis.” **** - The Independent (Live Review)

“They’re baaack! The masters of the dance-rock hybrid are about to show us who the real daddies of the genre are!” - Kerrang! – 6th December 2008

“11 tracks of rock-infused dance mayhem which might just remove your head cleanly from your shoulders.” - Kerrang! – 8th November 2008

February 23, 2009

THE PRODIGY'S NEW ALBUM "INVADERS MUST DIE" IS OUT NOW!

The Prodigy's fifth studio album “Invaders Must Die” on the band’s imprint Take Me To The Hospital through Cooking Vinyl is already out. It’s easy to forget that not only have The Prodigy given us some of the greatest hits of the rave era and beyond with “Out Of Space”, “Everybody In the Place”, “Charly”, “Firestarter” "Breathe" and “Smack My Bitch Up”, they also gave a face to rave and to the rest of us donated the whole idea of selling a credible, uncompromising dance music album with the personality and punk panache of a rock artist – and sold 16 million albums in the process.

Now, on “Invaders Must Die”, Liam Howlett, Keith Flint and Maxim all feature on the album, which is the first time since the release of “Fat Of The Land” in 1997. The result is back to their bone shaking best, a collision of old skool rave noise with the stratospheric limits of new technology. Guests include Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters and includes the single "Omen". The album is available in two formats -- Regular CD and CD with Bonus DVD edition.

February 22, 2009

MARIAN RIVERA'S "SABAY SABAY TAYO" TURNS GOLD!

Multi-media sensation Marian Rivera's "Sabay Sabay Tayo" from her "Retro Crazy" album has turned GOLD! Marian received her Gold record on SOP today (February 22nd). Choreographer to the stars and the song's composer Geleen Eugenio was teary-eyed when she also accepted her Gold Record Award. The album "Marian Rivera Retro Crazy" (produced by the versatile Platinum producer Ito Rapadas) was a tribute to the Dance Legend's 30th year in showbiz and contained dance medleys of some of the biggest dance hits she popularized thru her dance crazes like "Rico Mambo", "Body Dancer", "Name Game", "How Gee", "Whip It", "Rock Lobster", "Supersonic", "Sha La La", "628", "Don't Cry", "A Night To Remember", "Always", "Swiss Boy", "Let's Go", "We Are Family", "Chocolate" and many more. "Marian Rivera Retro Crazy" is Marian's follow up to her platinum-certified debut CD "Marian Rivera Dance Hits" and now comes with a BONUS VCD containing the "Sabay Sabay Tayo" music video.

February 20, 2009

JED MADELA RELEASES "SONGS REDISCOVERED 2: THE ULTIMATE OPM PLAYLIST"

World Champion Jed Madela is back with his incredible new album “Songs Rediscovered 2: The Ultimate OPM Playlist”, the perfect follow-up to the Double Platinum-certified “Songs Rediscovered” released five years ago. The new CD is a distinguished collection of timeless OPM songs from the '80s and '90s sung to perfection by a voice that is once heard, never forgotten.

Tracklisting:

To Love Again (originally popularized by Sharon Cuneta)
Can’t We Start Over Again (originally popularized by Jose Mari Chan)
I Need You Back (originally popularized by Raymond Lauchengco)
Give Me A Chance (originally popularized by Ric Segreto)
I’ll Always Stay In Love This Way (originally popularized Baron Barbers)
Maybe (originally popularized by Neocolours)
Smile In Your Heart (originally popularized by Jam Morales)
You (originally popularized by Basil Valdez)
A Friend (originally popularized by Keno)
Everyday (originally popularized by Agot Isidro)
A Friend Of Mine (originally popularized by Odette Quesada)
Got To Let You Know (originally popularized by Tito Mina)
Let The Pain Remain (originally popularized by Basil Valdez)
Can Find No Reason (originally popularized by Louie Heredia)
Hold On (originally popularized by Side A)
Special Memory (originally popularized by Iwi Laurel)

The Prodigy:: Invaders Must Die!

After selling 16 Million albums worldwide, The Prodigy is set to release their brand new studio album "Invaders Must Die".

Here, Liam, Keith and Maxim talk about what sets them apart, what has always been their philosophy, and of course, what to expect from their "banging" new record.

The Prodigy album "Invaders Must Die" is being released and distributed in the Philippines by Universal Records under license from Cooking Vinyl Records UK. All rights reserved.

February 18, 2009

THE PRODIGY RELEASE NEW ALBUM "INVADERS MUST DIE" ON FEBRUARY 23 !

The Prodigy announce their fifth studio album “Invaders Must Die” to be released on the band’s imprint Take Me To The Hospital through Cooking Vinyl on February 23, 2009.

It’s easy to forget that not only have The Prodigy given us some of the greatest hits of the rave era and beyond with “Outer Space”, “Everybody In the Place”, “Charley Says”, “Firestarter” , "Breathe" and “Smack My Bitch Up”, they also gave a face to rave and to the rest of us donated the whole idea of selling a credible, uncompromising dance music album with the personality and punk panache of a rock artist – and sold 16 million albums in the process. Now, on “Invaders Must Die”, Liam Howlett, Keith Flint and Maxim all feature on the album, which is the first time since the release of “Fat Of The Land” in 1997. The result is back to their bone shaking best, a collision of old skool rave noise with the stratospheric limits of new technology. Guests include Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters and Does It Offend You, Yeah?'s James Rushent. "Omen" is the first single.

February 17, 2009

"MIX 09" - 20 DELICIOUS DANCE HITS!

Following on from the massive success of “MIX 06” and “MIX 07” is the delicious non-stop dance mix compilation “MIX 09”, with 20 tracks of the hottest club tracks and remixes. This brand new collection of party starting tracks is loaded with the year's biggest and most recognizable club hits like “Shining Star” by Get Far , “I Don’t Know Why” by Moony, “Let Me Think About It” by Ida Corr vs. Fedde Le Grand, “Angel On My Shoulder” by Kaskade, “Breathe You In” by Samantha James, “So Far” by Miguel Migs, “Destination Calabria” & “Watch Out” by Alex Gaudino, “Toca’s Miracle” by Fragma, “Close To Heaven” by Stonebridge, “Round and Round (Take Me Higher)” by Mischa Daniels and more!

EMI FUJITA RELEASES GREATEST HITS CD "CAMOMILE BEST AUDIO"

Asia’s Easy Listening Diva Emi Fujita releases her 'greatest hits’ CD titled “Camomile Best Audio”. Tracks from the latest album are taken from her successful “Camomile” series, which received Platinum and Gold Record Awards in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore and established her as a vocalist of immense depth and soul. Her distinctive and pure vocals was branded by music critics as “Sound Therapy”. The album includes her relaxing interpretation of classic ballads like “And I Love You So”, “Best Of My Love”, “First Of May”, “All My Loving”, “Unchained Melody”, “Desperado”, “Fields Of Gold”, “Longer”, “Today”, “Over The Rainbow”, “Tears In Heaven”, “What A Wonderful World” and many more

February 10, 2009

Jed Madela's brand new album "Songs Rediscovered 2: The Ultimate OPM Playlist " out now!


Click the video above to hear three songs from Jed Madela's brand new album "Songs Rediscovered 2: The Ultimate OPM Playlist".

You'll hear:

- A Friend

- Give Me A Chance

- I Need You Back


Album out now!

February 3, 2009

The Prodigy - Omen


Brand new single "Omen" from The Prodigy, from their highly anticipated album "Invaders Must Die" out later this month!

Album released in the Philippines by Universal Records.

"SIMPLY RED 25 : THE GREATEST HITS" OUT NOW!

In the 25 years since Simply Red first broke onto the scene they’ve released 10 studio albums, racked up over 50 million global sales, notched up over 30 Top 40 UK singles, won countless awards, including three Brits, two Ivor Novellos and a Mobo Special Achievement. They’ve also gained one of the rarest prizes for a British artist with not just one, but two U.S. No.1 hit singles. And the achievements keep coming, "Stars" was the biggest selling album in the U.K. for two consecutive years and they have played over 1,000 live shows to over 10 million people. Now, Simply Red have just released their fantastic compilation album "Simply Red 25: The Greatest Hits". Fronted by the effervescent front man Mick Hucknall, the band are known for infusing soul, blues and pop resulting in smooth ballads. As the title suggests, the CD compiles 25 of the band's most-loved songs, including "Holding Back The Years", "If You Don't Know Me By Now", "Stars", "For Your Babies", "Fairground", "Money's Too Tight To Mention", "Something Got Me Started", "You Make Me Feel Brand New", "Everytime We Say Goodbye" and a brand new track "Go Now".

"JUST LIKE HEAVEN - A TRIBUTE TO THE CURE" ALBUM OUT NOW!

"Just Like Heaven - A Tribute To The Cure" features 16 new cover versions of Cure songs by The Wedding Present, The Brunettes, Devics, Dean & Britta (Luna), The Submarines, The Rosebuds, Grand Duchy (Violet Clark & Black Francis), Joy Zipper, Elk City , The Poems, Cassettes Won't Listen, Tanya Donelly & Dylan In The Movies and many others. Songs like In Between Days, Boys Don't Cry, Friday I'm In Love, The Lovecats, Close To Me, Let's Go To Bed are part of this gorgeous collection of re-imagined Cure classics and plays like the mixtape out of a dream remembered, each track better than the last, each awash with a delicate balance of nostalgia and originality. Highly recommended for Cure fans or any of the bands covering the Cure on this excellent tribute compilation.

REGINE VELASQUEZ'S "LOW KEY" IS NOW CERTIFIED PLATINUM - THE FIRST PLATINUM ALBUM OF 2009!

Asia's Songbird Regine Velasquez's new CD from Universal Records "Low Key" has been certified PLATINUM after 2 months of release!. Regine received her platinum record on SOP today (February 1st). "Low Key" is STILL the #1 OPM album in major retail chains and holds the distinction of being the FIRST PLATINUM ALBUM of 2009! "Low Key" includes Regine's impeccable rendition of classic ballads like "Tell Me That You Love Me" (the first single), "And I Love You So" (the second single), "I'd Rather Leave While I'm In Love", "I Never Dreamed Someone Like You Could Love Someone Like Me", "No Walls, No Ceilings, No Floors", "Of All The Things", "How Can I Tell You" and many more.

GARY VALENCIANO'S LATEST CD "THE PLATINUM BALLAD COLLECTION" IS NOW CERTIFIED GOLD!

Multi-platinum pop icon Gary Valenciano's new hit album from Universal Records "The Platinum Ballad Collection" has been certified GOLD! Gary V received his gold record on ASAP today (February 1st). "The Platinum Ballad Collection” is the definitive anthology of the Gary V’s most memorable ballads, compiled in a handsomely packaged 2CD set. The 30-song compilation contains Sana Maulit Muli, Narito, Di Na Natuto, Paano, Reaching Out, Each Passing Night (with Regine Velasquez), Ikaw Lamang, Kailangan Kita, How Did You Know, I Will Be Here, Muli (with Regine Velasquez), Take Me Out Of The Dark, Gaya Ng Dati, Letting Go and Warrior Is A Child, After All, Fool Till The End, What More Can I Say, Until Then, Babalik Ka Rin, Ang Aking Munting Bituin, You Gave Me Reason, Even For A While, Only I, You Are, In Another Lifetime, Hindi Kita Malilimutan, Lupa, Could You Be Messiah and Pasko Na Sinta Ko. "The Platinum Ballad Collection" is simply another fitting way to celebrate Gary Valenciano’s 25 years as a leading recording artist and entertainer.
The hottest Dance Senorita is back! Multi-media sensation Marian Rivera's brand new CD "Marian Rivera Retro Crazy", her follow up to the platinum-certified "Marian Rivera Dance Hits, now comes with a bonus attraction to all her fans and music lovers alike -- a FREE VCD featuring the music video of her smash single "SABAY SABAY TAYO". The song is enjoying strong radio airplay since it was released late last year and the CD is one of the bestselling CD titles in the music stores today!

The music video had a "world premiere" on SOP today (February 1st) with Marian performing her hit live while the music video was being shown. Aside from "Sabay Sabay Tayo", "Marian Rivera Retro Crazy" contains dance medleys of some of the biggest retro dance hits like "Rico Mambo", "Body Dancer", "Name Game", "How Gee", "Whip It", "Rock Lobster", "Supersonic", "Sha La La", "628", "Don't Cry", "A Night To Remember", "Always", "Swiss Boy", "Let's Go", "We Are Family", "Chocolate" and many more.

MONDAY MICHIRU RELEASES NEW ALBUM "MY EVER CHANGING MOODS"

"My Ever Changing Moods" is Japanese soul-jazz sensation Monday Michiru's first covers album . Nice varied set of covers, channeling artists as varied as the Police, Patrice Rushen, SOS Band, Cyndi Lauper, The Style Council, Blondie and many more! Although Monday's written many great tunes on her records in the past, this time around she's working with some great classics from earlier years -- a mix of '70s soul, Brazilian groovers, and more -- all updated beautifully with her soaring, joyous approach.

"IN LOVE WITH THE BEE GEES" OUT NOW!

From the same team behind the #1 albums "In Love With Bacharach" and "In Love With Manilow", comes the latest addition to this bestselling easy listening series -- In Love With The Bee Gees. Sit back and enjoy the smooth interpretations of some of the biggest hits from the Gibb brothers, who have sold more than 220 million records to date. Their compositions have been covered or interpreted by superstars like Elvis Presley, Celine Dion, Janis Joplin, Al Green, Eric Clapton, Lulu, Elton John, Tom Jones, Nina Simone, Destiny's Child, Diana Ross, Barbra Streisand, Olivia Newton-John, Kenny Rogers and Dionne Warwick. Songs included in "In Love With The Bee Gees" like "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart", "Reaching Out" "(Our Love) Don't Throw It All Away", "To Love Somebody", "Too Much Heaven", "Run To Me", "How Deep Is Your Love", "Words", "First of May", "Guilty", "Massachusetts", "I Started A Joke", "More Than A Woman", "Stayin' Alive", "Night Fever/You Should Be Dancing Medley" and "Jive Talkin" will surely bring back good memories, not to mention it's also a good companion to a long drive or just simply great music to listen to.

"BONGGA 2" - THE BIGGEST OPM RETRO COMPILATION!

The Retro Mania continues with the release of "Bongga 2". After the surprise success of the first "Bongga" compilation last year, Universal Records is proud to release the second installment to this nostalgia-filled project. Uncovered from its rich musical vault are some of the rarest tracks to appear first time on CD. Digitally-remastered are gems like "Badaf Forever" by Charing, "Champoy" by Subas Herrero & Noel Trinidad "Lumba Lumba" by Paul Toledo, "Meowww" by Hotdog to name a few. Other tracks included in this 21-track compilation are "Behhh Buti Nga" by Hotdog, "Mahirap Magmahal Ng Syota Ng Iba" by APO Hiking Society, "Love At Thirty Thousand Feet" by Jose Mari Chan, "Movie Fan" by Celeste Legaspi, "Dahil Mahal Kita" by Boyfriends, "Ako'y Pinoy" by Florante, "Gulong N Palad" by Eugene Villaluz, "Jackpot Ka Sa Puso Ko" by Arnold Gamboa and many more!

THE PRODIGY RELEASE FIRST SINGLE "OMEN" FROM UPCOMING CD "INVADERS MUST DIE"

"Omen" is the first official single to be taken from The Prodigy’s highly anticipated album "Invaders Must Die". A white hot shot of pure pumped-up, punk rock Prodigy adrenaline beamed straight into the moshpit from rave central, "Omen" is everything you have ever wanted from The Prodigy condensed into three eardrum bothering minutes.

The band put out a free download as a taster of what’s to come. This was a huge success and was hailed as the Hottest record in the world by Zane Lowe (Radio 1). On www.theprodigy.com the download and accompanying video stream received in excess of 1 million plays globally in the first 5 days and a further 350,000+ streams in the following week.


The new Prodigy album "Invaders Must Die" (released 23rd February) is 40 minutes of having your head battered by future nostalgia, serotonin levels twisted by feel-good horrorcore and your synapses snapped by whiplash attitude. It's the sound of The Prodigy mixing up genres, contorting the past and rewiring the future, ram-raiding through the tranquility of music's status quo like a blot on the landscape of England's dreaming.


"Invaders Must Die" is the unique sound of The Prodigy, still trespassing after all these years, walking the path they've created for themselves. And with that free party attitude still breaking and entering where other's can only dream of following.