OPM COLLECTOR'S EDITION: ABRAKADABRA

Tracklist:
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)

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)

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.