A songs popularity can easily and quite accurately be gauged by instantaneous response and feedback from target audiences through various media, which have, over the years, diversified due to major breakthroughs in computers and communication technology.
South Border's RAINBOW is one example of such a song. Initially released as a music video in MYX in December 2003 for the promotion of one of the years top grossing films "Crying Ladies," it became the channels ..1 song in its OPM hit chart within weeks of TV exposure. It also later became a consistent chart topper at MTV Asia's DIYES (Top TEN).
In January 2004, it invaded airwaves and captured the hearts of listeners across the country. It was the number one most requested song in almost all major FM radio stations - Wave 89.1, TM Magic 89.9, RX 93.1 Monster Radio, 99.5RT and Kool 106 to name a few.
Rainbow has become everyone's feel-good song, and its message of hope in the face of adversity, lonliness and heartache has brought on refreshing optimism at a time in our coutry when the cynic in most of us tends to surface. rainbow has surpassed the popularity of Kahit Kailan, South Border's trademark song and phenomenal hit of 1997. And this multi-awarded band's latest album EPISODE III is expected to beak all records they have previously set in their 11 years of existence as one of the country's top performers in the band circuit.
Episode III, The Album
Episode III is so aptly titled to acknowledge where South Border is right now, in what they could call their historical trilogy. With each episode marked by a change in lead singer, the new South Border, whose current lineup was completed only over a year ago, promises a better, more mature sound in this album. It is being released by Brown Hand Records, a South Border label, and exclusively distributed by Sony Music Entertainment Philippines.
Episode III includes BEST THAT I CAN, their throw-away single that enjoyed popular airplay in mid-2003 - composed by Jay Durias, South Border's musical director, with lyrics by Sharon Inductivo, the band's manager - the same duo that created RAINBOW.
Inspiration comes when you least expect it, but for six of the 12 songs on the CD, it had to be staged. Working in a controlled environment in Subic, within a strict timetable, and under pressure from fans and supporters who had been clamoring for their new album, the band probably turned in, in this Subic safehouse, their richest musical literature in the shortest period of time. BROWN HAND SMASH, an R&B-rap ditty about the Pinoy's resilience and excellence in different fields of endeavor ("Who said Filipinos can't do this?!") and the sensuous THE SHOW, the bands most daringly risque piece to date, are the handiwork of Jay with lead singer Vince Alaras. These two also teamed up with other members of the band to produce WISH YOU WERE HERE (with bassist Tata Balane), Better Man (with lead guitarist Butch Victoriano and lead singer Duncan Ramos) and PLAYA (with Duncan). TOO CRAZY is reminiscent of their earlier Babyface influence, spiced up by skillful lead guitar playing. WHEREVER YOU ARE, which speaks of a love still being sought, was actually composed by Vince in high school and transformed into another soulful ballad by Jay's chords and arrangement.
USAHAY, a popular Visayan song interpreted many times over by various Visayan artists has been given an interesting, danceable twist in this album. GET READY exalts the youth as they prepare for the future, and one can already see another potential graduation day theme after this year's top graduation pick, RAINBOW. Ric Junasa's saxophone playing lends that distinctive South Border touch as always, while drummer Paul Benitez provides verve with his upbeat percussion in this album.
With RAINBOW REMIX completing the play list, EPISODE III is just about ready to give South Border's borderless audience another taste of their unique brand of music.
Press Release from Brown Hand Records
To get in touch with South Border's management for the booking of shows, please refer to the following contact information:
Sharon Inductivo
Business Manager
Unit 103 Eastside Apartment
..77 Malakas St., Pinahan, Q.C.
Tel: (632)9273791
Tel/Fax: (632)4346117
Mobile: +6329189100856
