Enrique Back in Full Swing
December 14, 2006Yesteryears standards make up today’s alternative music.
Twenty something singer Enrique Marcos, however, offers no apologies for his choice of music. Enrique sings love songs spiked with jazz or swing, just the way Sinatra and Nat King Cole did during their time.
At the album launch of his second album at The Podium last Sunday (November 26), Enrique said he sings the standards to attract young people to this most wonderful sound. He said its amazing how a number of young people today go for this type of sound.
Enrique’s second album, ‘I Made It Through The Rain’, is a fusion of jazz standards, classic and contemporary pop. Songs like the title cut, originally by Barry Manilow, the Matt Monro Classic ‘You’ve Got Possibilities’, Sinatra’s ‘Around the World’ or Barry Gibb’s ‘First of May’ are rendered a new life by full, round voice of Enrique.
Enrique first came into view in 2004 with the launch of his singing career on wings of a debut album, A Collection of Classic Love Songs. With this album, he became the first Filipino artist to be signed by Candid Records, which had just set up a Philippine office.
Enrique was a small town boy from Malaybalay Bukidnon before moving to Manila as a wedding singer. His rich, full voice impressed Candid executives, who had even planned a London release of his album.
The singer said a few things jeopardized his career, and personal life, last year. He lost his original manager (now managed by Sherilyn Pascua of Music Bridge 09157719879), then also lost his father.
For a while, he said he thought his career was in limbo. He also got sidetracked by the sudden death of his father. Enrique says he remains unfazed by the instant popularity of other male singers who have emerged from TV talent searches. Confident of his talent, the young man believes the world can be a better place to live in if more and more people make beautiful music.
** Nestor Cuartero
Moviegoer -columnist
Tempo
November 29, 2006
