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!

June 26, 2009

ROCK SUPERGROUP CHICKENFOOT'S SELF-TITLED CD OUT NOW!

Chickenfoot are:
Sammy Hagar - Montrose founder, solo artist and singer in VAN HALEN who enjoyed more Top 10 albums and singles than original singer David Lee Roth.

Joe Satriani - one of the biggest guitar heroes of all time.

Michael Anthony - founding member of VAN HALEN. Bass player and backing vocalist (of unique high pitch style). He played on all the Van Halen studio albums so far.

Chad Smith - a real thunder on the drums and a member of one of the biggest Rock groups of the last 20 years with loyal dedicated fans - Red Hot Chilli Peppers.

Chickenfoot” is a big American Rock album with a rich and powerful sound that was not to be found since at least 10 years. The definitive Hard Rock masterpieces from four musicians who could generate a huge amount of interest even if they were to release a new Rock album as solo artists. Together... they are simply the best Rock band of the year!

Chickenfoot is supported in the Philippines by the Home of NU Rock, NU 107!

GERMAN DJ MICHAEL MIND RELEASES DEBUT CD!

German DJ /producer Michael Mind drops his debut album “My Mind”, which includes the hit singles “Two, Three, Four”, “Show Me Love”, “Blinded By The Light”, “Insomnia”, “Don’t Walk Away”, “Bakerstreet” and “Ride Like The Wind”. Michael gained prominence in 2007 with his version of Manfred Mann's classic “Blinded By The Light”, which went number one in the German dance charts. In his debut album, he will surely rock the clubs again with his versions of hits from Robin S, Faithless, Christopher Cross, Gerry Rafferty and lots more!

GO BRITS - Great Albums From U.K.'s Best Kept Secrets! (pt. 2)

BURN THE NEGATIVE - In The Atmosphere 

Described by The Guardian as being "as consistently entertaining as anything The Killers have ever done" or think Interpol if they'd spent less time listening to Joy Division and more to New Order, British four-piece Burn The Negative's debut album "In The Atmosphere" is a unique concoction of energetic trashy disco blended with electro beats, New Romantic rhythms and the spirit of ‘70s punk, ‘80s rock and ‘90s house. The band cite Japan, David Sylvian, Gary Numan, Sonic Youth, David Bowie, Baby Ford, Nine Inch Nails and a dozen others as holding key spots in their music collections. Featuring "Wonder Why", "Candem", "You Control Me", Low" and more.

JUNIOR BOYS - Begone Dull Care 

"Begone Dull Care" is electronic indie darlings Junior Boys' third album, following the critical and commercial successes of "Last Exit" (2004) and "So This Is Goodbye" (2006). The new album still holds the melancholic flavor they’ve come to perfect, just with some added twinkling synths, hints at old-school R&B, and a splash of funk for good measure. It's definitely a bold and meticulously crafted effort by one of the most original electronic pop acts of the 2000s. Includes "Hazel", "Parallel Lines", "Sneak A Picture", "Dull To Pause" and more.

DISCOVER THIS! (pt.3)

POCKETBOOKS - Flight Paths

London's Pocketbooks combine melodic boy/girl harmonies, spiralling guitars and delicate piano lines. Their debut album, "Flight Paths", sweeps majestically through the places and everyday lives that indie music has perhaps forgotten recently - from 'the supermarket aisles to the dancefloors of provincial towns' and 'from the platforms of the Central line to the beaches of a south coast town'. Its eleven songs will surely interest fans of Camera Obscura, Saint Etienne, Belle and Sebastian and The Pipettes. Includes "Cross The Line" and "Footsteps".
CATS ON FIRE - Our Temperance Movement

“Our Temperance Movement” is second album from fashionable Finnish pop foursome that has earned favorable comparisons to indie legends The Smiths, Felt, Orange Juice, Pulp, One Thousand Violins, Happydeadmen and Belle and Sebastian. This album expands upon the traditional guitar, bass, and drums with liberal bursts of piano, organ, clarinet, banjo, glockenspiel & other percussion which help to showcase singer Mattias Bjork's Morrissey-esque croon and his poetic, sardonic, and rather eccentric take on the world. Includes "Tears In Your Cup", "Letters from a Voyage to Sweden" and "Horoscope". Highly recommended!

LIECHTENSTEIN - Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein are an all-girl indiepop quartet from Gothenburg, Sweden who play a unique brand of shambling yet dreamy guitar pop. Taking their influences from '80s post punk, C86 and '60s girl group sensibilities - Dolly Mixture, Talulah Gosh, Girls At Our Best, Television Personalities, Mo-Dettes, The Slits, Shop Assistants, The Vaselines. Liechtenstein are ready to bring their subversive pop to a larger audience and will surely appeal to fans of The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart, Vivian Girls and Love Is All. Includes "All At Once", "Roses In The Park" and more.

THIEVES LIKE US - Play Music

Named after a New Order's 1984 song, Paris-based, Swedish-American trio Thieves Like Us release their first album called "Play Music". Their sound is heavily influenced by new wave, synth-pop, post-punk and seminal electronic artists. The album’s eleven songs are characterized by repetitive programmed hooks and minimal arrangements that are more atmospheric than dance-inducing, which ultimately make for one cool record. Think New Order, LCD Soundsystem, Daft Punk, Hot Chip etc. . Includes "Drugs In My Body", "Fass", "Miss You" and "Your Heart Feels".

MONTT MARDIE - Introducing...The Best Of

Montt Mardié is one of the finest pop jewels ever found in Sweden. His rather provokingly titled U.K. debut release "Introducing... The Best Of Montt Mardié" is a celebration of pop and blue-eyed soul and a a tribute to some of the best pure pop music of the '80s like Wham!, Haircut 100, Aztec Camera, The Lilac Time and Prefab Sprout - from the corny synths, machine-driven Northern soul drumbeats, out of control falsetto vocals and completely fake-sounding production. He takes the music of the past, perfects it and twists it. The album includes 6 re-recorded tracks from his first album "Drama" plus 10 tracks off of the "Clocks/Pretender" double-album plus 2 new songs. File next to Prefab Sprout, Saint Etienne, The King Of Luxembourg, The Style Council. Featuring the singles "Modesty Blaise" and "Names Not Forgotten".

ALLY KERR - Off The Radar

One of Scotland’s fastest-rising artists and best-kept secrets, singer-songwriter Ally Kerr released his brand new album, “Off the Radar”. Echoing the likes of Kings Of Convenience, Simon & Garfunkel, Tim Burgess, Teenage Fanclub and Belle & Sebastian, along with shades of The Lilac Time, this follow-up is produced by The Pearlfishers’ David Scott. Featuring the singles “Could Have Been a Contender” and “There’s A World”.


BUTCHER BOY - React Or Die

Glaswegian act Butcher Boy came to our attention in 2007, with the release of their magnificent debut album "Profit in Your Poetry". Its tender, organically produced sound drew favourable comparisons - Think Belle and Sebastian, Lloyd Cole and the Commotions and Felt. With their latest album "React Or Die", Butcher Boy’s sound continues in the classic Glasgow vein. This is pop music that transports you to a sepia tinted world. A world where Morrissey and kitchen sink dramas take center stage. The sleeve echoes classic Smiths whilst being thoroughly Butcher Boy. Includes "Clockwork", "Carve A Pattern" and "A Better Ghost".

NATALIA CLAVIER - Nectar

Argentinian sensation Natalia Clavier finally releases her highly anticipated debut album "Nectar". Bought to you by the same minds who gave you Thievery Corporation, the album features elements of soul, disco, folk, pop, dub, electronica, down tempo and jazz, which will appeal to fans of Bebel Gilberto, Portishead, Morcheeba, Jazzanova, Supreme Beings Of Leisure and of course Thievery Corporation. This is music full of laid back Latin-based percussion, piano and Latin inspired bass lines, cello, violins and one hell of an alluring voice. It's like listening to Astrud Gilberto, if she were recording today with Thievery Corporation.

THE LEGENDS - Over And Over

Sweden's The Legends is one-man studio project of the prolific popsmith Johan Angergård (Club 8, Pallers, Acid House Kings). His 4th album "Over and Over" is a brilliantly modern mix of white noise, '60s girls pop, indie, ambient and krautrock. Hypnotic washes of distorted synthesizers and sweet bouncy melodies echoes under walls of feedback and crushingly loud shimmering guitars. The album includes contribution from Club 8's Karolina Komstedt, The Mary Onettes' Philip Ekström, Tralala's Liane Moccia and more. Fans of My Bloody Valentine, Panda Bear, Animal Collective, Stereolab and The Jesus and Mary Chain, look no further. Featuring the single "Seconds Away".

THE REST - Everyone All At Once

Hamilton, Ontario - home to electronica darlings like the Junior Boys and Caribou and now the residence of one of Canada's most promising bands, The Rest. The seven-piece's dreamy sound dials in the daintiest parts of shoegaze, sprinkles in the occasional rush of bombast ala Arcade Fire. Their latest album "Everyone All At Once" showcases the wide array of weapons The Rest have at their disposition. No one formula is employed in this album as every track is different and beautifully executed! Imagine Arcade Fire, The National and Mercury Rev went into the studio together. With a stunningly great album, they could be well on their to way to becoming the next great Canadian band. Includes "Apples & Allergies", "Modern Time Travel", "Walk On Water" and more!

June 23, 2009

Sponge Cola with Gary V video "Ayt!"



Watch out for the repackaged edition of Sponge Cola's self-titled album. Featuring this collaboration between Mr. Gary V and Sponge Cola, plus "Closer You & I" and more revamped hits!

Vote for AYT! music video: text MYX (space) VOTE (space) AYT to 2366! You can vote up to 10 times a day!

Cruel Love TV trailer 1


Regine Velasquez' single "And I Love You So" is the theme for GMA 7's new Korean telenovela Cruel Love. "And I Love You So" is from Regine Velasquez' certified platinum album Low Key under Universal Records Philippines.

Cruel Love TV trailer 2


Regine Velasquez' single "And I Love You So" is the theme for GMA 7's new Korean telenovela Cruel Love."And I Love You So" is from Regine Velasquez' certified platinum album Low Key under Universal Records Philippines

June 20, 2009

JED MADELA'S NEW CD IS STILL THE #1 OPM ALBUM IN MAJOR RECORD STORES!

World Champion Jed Madela's new album "Songs Rediscovered 2: The Ultimate OPM Playlist" is STILL the #1 OPM ALBUM in major retail stores - Astroplus Mall of Asia, Music One Greenbelt, Glorietta & Quezon Avenue and O Music Video Rockwell & Greenbelt. His album was certified GOLD last May 17th after 2 months of release! The first single from the album was "I Need You Back" and the latest single is "Give Me A Chance".

“Songs Rediscovered 2: The Ultimate OPM Playlist” is Jed's follow-up to his Double Platinum-certified album “Songs Rediscovered” released five years ago. The new CD features his interpretations of timeless OPM songs from the '80s and '90s by artists such as Sharon Cuneta, Basil Valdez, Ric Segreto, Raymond Lauchengco, Jose Mari Chan, Keno, Odette Quesada, Side A, Neocolours, Tito Mina, Jam Morales and more. Produced by the Platinum producer Ito Rapadas, the album is also available on MP3 and MP4 formats. Both formats contains all the songs (82 songs!) taken from his albums - "I'll Be Around", "Songs Rediscovered", "Only Human", "Songs Rediscovered 2" and "The Voice Of Christmas". The MP4 format contains all his music videos!

SONGS REDISCOVERED 2: THE ULTIMATE OPM PLAYLIST 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)
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)

June 16, 2009

MISSING YOU: ACOUSTIC LOVE AFFAIR 2

In April 2008, Universal Records took a chance and released "Acoustic Love Affair: The Seventies Playlist", when everyone else was putting out bossa nova covers compilation. The risk paid off and "Acoustic Love Affair" charted #1 in major record stores like Music One, O Music Video & Astroplus. The same team behind the #1 albums "In Love With Bacharach" and "Soul In Love" is proud to bring you "Missing You: Acoustic Love Affair 2", a compilation of acoustic renditions of some of the most romantic songs of the eighties.

Tracklisting:
1. Foolish Heart (originally popularized by Steve Perry)
2. Cherish (originally popularized by Kool & The Gang)
3. Anyone Can See (originally popularized by Irene Cara)
4. You Got It All (originally popularized by The Jets)
5. After All (originally popularized by Al Jarreau)
6. Lost In Love (originally popularized by Air Supply)
7. Somebody (originally popularized by Depeche Mode)
8. On The Wings Of Love (originally popularized by Jeffrey Osbourne)
9. Open Arms (originally popularized by Journey)
10. Can't Fight This Feeling (originally popularized by REO Speedwagon)
11. Missing You (originally popularized by John Waite)
12. Almost Over You (originally popularized by Sheena Easton)
13. Always (originally popularized by Atlantic Starr)
14. Too Young (originally popularized by Jack Wagner)
15. Piano In The Dark (originally popularized by Brenda Russell)
16. Rhythm Of The Night (originally popularized by El Debarge)

Missing You: Acoustic Love Affair 2 (preview)



Click the above image to listen to eight songs from the album "Missing You: Acoustic Love Affair 2"

June 13, 2009

Remember The Name #6 - SUNNY DAY SETS FIRE

"They must be wizards!" NME
"Grand psychedelic pop!" The Independent
"All of a sudden boom! Here comes the killer debut album for you to fall in love with." The Beat Surrender
"Multi-national indie pop troupe Sunny Day Sets Fire clearly have immense musicianship and a diverse set of influences, yet against the odds they manage to blend each element seamlessly and refrain from allowing any individual to overshadow the whole." Drowned In Sound
"This London-based band re-imagine the best moments of Swedish indie pop and shake up its shy sensibilities with buoyant limbs and bright eyes." WORD Magazine
"Like kindred spirits Field Music or Apples in Stereo there's a wealth of ideas that makes you keen to hear more." UNCUT Magazine
SUNNY DAY SETS FIRE's debut album "Summer Palace" will be released locally this June by Universal Records!
Check out these links:

Remember The Name #5 - THE JAPANESE POPSTARS

"A Star Is Born....Or Should I Say Stars!" Pete Tong, BBC Radio 1

"I'm knocked out! That is a BIG BIG record! Very strong!!" Zane Lowe, BBC Radio 1

"This album is f*cking amazing. In fact it is in severe danger of taking over our lives..." Popjustice.com

"File next to Orbital, Underworld and The Chemical Brothers" The Guardian

"Do believe the hype" IDJ Magzine

"They Might Also Be The Most Exciting New Electronic Act On The Planet" Mixmag

“They’re gonna be riding high in the charts before long... Cut from the same cloth as Orbital and Underworld, theirs is a sky-skimming stadium-sized version: the kind of tracks built to make an entire field of ravers jump in unison. They’re something special...” DJ Magazine

THE JAPANESE POPSTARS' debut album "We Just Are" will be released locally this June by Universal Records!

Check out these links:

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thejapanesepopstars
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/THE-JAPANESE-POPSTARS/45463045341
Twitter:
http://twitter.com/Japstars
Bebo:
http://www.bebo.com/Profile.jsp?MID=367137231&MemberId=3688659585
Podcast:
http://thejapanesepopstars.podomatic.com



Chickenfoot is this year's Rock Supergroup composed of:
Sammy Hagar (vocalist, Van Halen), Chad Smith (drummer, Red Hot Chili Peppers), Joe Satriani ("guitar god"), Michael Anthony (bassist, Van Halen).

Watch the video to find out more. Chickenfoot's self-titled debut album out locally next week, released by Universal Records.

June 8, 2009

Remember The Name #4 - BURN THE NEGATIVE

"In the Atmosphere is as consistently entertaining as anything The Killers have ever done. File next to New Order, Japan, and Ultravox." The Guardian
"Saviours of New Wave Electronica Punk - They Deliver a unique concoction of energetic trashy disco, blended with electro beats, new romantic rhythms and the spirit of '70s punk, '80s rock, '90s house." DJ Magazine
"Ones to watch." Clash Magazine
"This band is creating a real buzz - you’re going to be hearing a lot more." Eddy T-M (XFM)
"A glorious slice of electronic melancholia." The Fly Magazine
BURN THE NEGATIVE's debut album "In The Atmosphere" will be released locally this June by Universal Records!

The Return of CRANES

This is the long-awaited release of a new studio album by Cranes, the famed British dream-pop group whose creative output has spanned over 15 years and -- with this latest addition -- nine studio albums. The self-titled album "Cranes" has been three years in the making. It is a triumph of celestial atmospheric rock and metaphysical minimalist electronics, made instantly recognizable by Alison Shaw's child-like vocals and Jim Shaw's uniquely inventive compositions. Their early fans included John Peel, the legendary Joy Division producer Martin Hannett and Robert Smith, who asked them to open for The Cure on many an international tour. The new album's otherworldly tonal beauty will continue to see them existing outside of the mainstream, slightly disconnected, but able to offer a very beautiful, one-of-a-kind vision of life in the 21st-century.

"...the blend of pretty melodies, other worldly atmospheres and twinkling electronica dovetails nicely with today’s ‘folktronica’ scene. …the one chord ‘Worlds’, the French sung 'Panorama' and 'Wonderful Things', with its circular acoustic guitar pattern are hauntingly lovely." Q
"…their immersion in electronic soundscapes works beautifully with Shaw’s other worldly melodies….on the truly lovely ‘Feathers’, the results are stunning." Rocksound
"With their minimalist lyrics and demo-like pieces Cranes have remained an enigmatic package-but their magic is how they use these resources to create an off-beat beauty." Uncut
"Cranes have created yet another work of weirdness, beauty and splendor. Some people have trouble managing one out of three but here it is replete." Glasswerk.co.uk
CRANES' latest album "Cranes" will be released locally this June by Universal Records!
Check out these links:

June 3, 2009

Experience (teaser)



Coming this July.

June 1, 2009

Jed Madela music video "Give Me A Chance"



The latest single from world champion Jed Madela. This is "Give Me a Chance" from his certified gold album "Songs Rediscovered 2: The Ultimate OPM Playlist".