1. Basta't Rock n' Roll
2.Musikero Sa Bangketa
3. Itaga Mo Sa Bato
4.Batugan
5.Bote-Dyaryo
6.Kulay Kayumanggi
7.Laki Ng Ulo
8.Bagong Salta
9.Pagputi Ng Uwak
10. Habang May Buhay
11.Sweet Love - bonus track
Abrakadabra
who? Nowadays,
this band would fit the
description of an obscure 'one hit
wonder' during the tail-end of the classic Pinoy
Rock era from the late 70's up to early 80's. Seeing this CD dug up a lot of buried memories for me. I know this band from my
early teenage years. It was quite popular then but it's best known for the hit song "Bote-Diyaryo.” From the cover, I instantly recognized and remembered the bemoustached face of the lead singer. I’m sure I had seen him perform in television not just a few times in the 80s. If my memory serves me right, I might have also seen him (and the band) live along
with the likes of Yjos band ( a group fronted by a young Arnel Pineda of Journey), the few times I was able to watch live bands in Shakey's
Pizza in Ali Mall, Cubao around ’84-’85. Those were the bygone years when watching a live
band and enjoying some drinks with friends and relatives means going to Shakey's Pizza ( and Uniwide).
Unfortunately
the CD ( just like many other local reissues
that’s been coming out) has no other information save for the track list and the composers. It has no liner notes, no brief history, not even the name of the band members. All songs are credited to Manuel Mallilin Jr. except one song that is credited to Bob Guzman and Joey Abando(of Boyfriends).
Anyway,
after listening to the 11 tracks, besides the hit "Bote Diyaryo,” "Laki Ng Ulo"( which has a similar sounding rift to Juan Dela Cruz's "Laki Sa Layaw") seems familiar.
I might have also heard it on radio before. I would
describe this album as a pure classic Pinoy Rock sound. The band are rocking in high-gear all the way with the exception of the bonus
track, ”Sweet Love,” an English-Filipino ballad which reminded me of Nazareth's "Where Are You Now" and The Styx's "The Best Of Times." A greater part of the album's lyrics are social commentaries
that are still relevant at present times.
For “Bote-Diyaryo" alone this CD is already worth the money for me but tracks such as “Laki Ng Ulo," ”Musikero Sa
Bangketa,” “Bagong Salta” and the nationalistic song "Kulay Kayumangi" are all outstanding.
Overall this CD is very enjoyable-- a treasure
to classic Pinoy Rock fans especially those
who witnessed Abrakadabra during its heyday and is highly
recommended to all Pinoy Rock fans in general.
Bote-Dyaryo
(http://www.youtube.com/user/iluvdmusic07?feature=watch)
(http://www.youtube.com/user/iluvdmusic07?feature=watch)
Addendum:
After surfing the net particularly Youtube and some forums, here are informations I gathered:
1. This CD is a reissue of Abrakadabra's lone self-titled LP released in 1978.
2. Prominent members are the Mallilin brothers: Alex Mallilin(the familiar bemoustached guy I was referring to) is the lead singer and Manuel "Jun" Mallilin Jr. is the chief composer.
3. The band won the Student Canteen's Rock Expo band competition's in the early 80's. The finals was judged by the visiting famous Australian group Little River Band. They did a medley of Queens' "Bohemian Rhapsody," their original "Bote Diyaryo" and Nazareth's "Razamanaz."
4. Abrakadabra has another popular song that I'm familiar with, entitled "Pepe."
Pepe
(http://www.youtube.com/user/limva123?feature=watch)
(http://www.youtube.com/user/limva123?feature=watch)
5. Manuel"Jun" Mallilin Jr. also wrote the classic song "Dahil Mahal Kita," for the famous local group Boyfriends.
6. I was able to view from Youtube a 2005 upload of the band's performance in Jojo Alejars' late night talk show at RJ T.V., Jojo All The Way. Whether they had just reformed then or have remained active in live circuits through the years, I don't know.
7. There are must-see clips in YouTube of an excellent and very entertaining performances of Abrakadabra in a resto bar doing Styx's "Mr. Roboto" and Focus' "Hocus Pocus." Manuel and Alex Mallilin are present but (a certain) Nitoy Mallilin is singing lead.
8. Manuel Mallilin Jr. performs as a member of 70's Supergroup along with original members of VST & Company, Wadab, Labuyo and Cinderella. http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/268882/top-70s-bands-form-superband.
9. From Youtube - it seems Alex Mallilin the most recognizable member of Abrakadabra has passed away last 2011.
