About Universal Records

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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!

October 15, 2009

Exclusive interview with Super Junior-M: mini album’s only the beginning

On the 10th of October in Seoul, SOHU Korea managed to snag a short interview with Super Junior-M before the beginning of Dream Concert 2009. Due to perform the title track of their new mini-album, "SUPER GIRL", during the concert, this would be their first performance in Korea.

When speaking about this mini-album and the great results achieved in China by the group, leader Han Geng replied politely: “This mini-album is only the beginning.”

SJ-M: Hello everyone, we’re Super Junior-M!

SOHU: First, we would like to congratulate you guys for releasing your latest mini-album, "SUPER GIRL". The sales of this mini-album in areas such as Korea, Mainland China and Taiwan have been really good; can you tell us your feelings about this?

Han Geng: To be honest, we did not expect this first mini-album to be so widely received. To be able to achieve such good results in Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and other countries, this is all due to our fans supporting us, and we are very grateful. We wish to bring more great music and albums to everyone from now onwards.

SOHU: Ever since the release of the "SUPER GIRL" MV, many fans have left comments on the SOHU website. Some of them want to ask Han Geng, how does it feel like transforming from a geek to a prince?

Han Geng: I’ve always wanted to be an actor, and this role is rather silly and honest, and it’s also my first time acting such a character, so I feel it was interesting and quite fun. There are also some representative actions of this character, such as (he touches his eyebrows), this (he rubs his nose)… Keke, fun actions like these.

SOHU: Fans have also noticed the vast improvement in Siwon, Kyuhyun, Donghae and Ryeowook’s Mandarin! They have been asking for you guys to become “son-in-laws of China” (T/N: They literally want them to marry a Chinese lady), so how do you feel about that?

Donghae: (Nationality, language etc) They don’t matter, as long as you truly like each other… (laughs while covering his mouth)

Han Geng: You usually call the fans “Dearest”.

Donghae: That’s why! So as long as I truly like the other party, and we get along well, then we can be lovers. No matter when, as long as we are able to feel each other’s hearts, then it’s okay… (At this moment, Siwon cannot help but laugh at the side) Once my ideal type appears in front of me, I’ll pursue her no matter what. (Everyone laughs)

SOHU: Some fans feel that Henry has grown up to become a man, how does Henry feel?

Henry: A man? Am I more mature now? Keke. Maybe it’s because of me wearing shades for this MV; I feel that anyone who has shades on automatically looks more mature. It could also be… (Han Geng turns back: “Really cool”) Ah, cool? Yup, wearing shades makes you cooler and more mature, so maybe it’s because of this that everyone thinks I’m cooler now. But I’m still the same, (still the same) Henry, kekeke.

SOHU: Fans also want to ask Zhoumi, what do you think of when you write lyrics? Why do you always seem to lean towards really sweet, cute lyrics?

Zhoumi: I’m really happy about this mini-album, because the company chose to use two of my lyrics. (Henry starts clapping first) Ha, thank you! Fans have asked me before, “Have you been dating lately?” But I haven’t, because everyone’s really busy. When I write lyrics, I’ll look at my friends and borrow their experiences, or use the stuff they’ve told me before about their relationships; cute stuff between them and their other halves. And then I’ll put all of these into my lyrics. This time I’ve written a set of lyrics that I really like, (愛情接力)

SOHU: Members of idol groups have been setting foot into the acting industry recently. Siwon has acted in a drama called <18,> before, and the response was quite good, so do you wish to go back to acting again? Donghae, do you want to test out your acting skills too?

(Han Geng passes the mic to Siwon, who then politely passes the mic to Donghae)

Donghae: Actually it’s not just Siwon and I; all of us in SJ-M wish to, under the criteria of good works, present our different sides through television, movie, and media of the type. So we wish that everyone would support us too. Ah~ (pretends to bite the mic)

SOHU: After a year of hard work, SJ-M has garnered much success in China. What’s the next goal that you guys are working towards now?

Han Geng: This mini-album can actually be said to be a new beginning for us in China. We wish that in the future, be it in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and other areas in Asia, there’ll be a chance of holding Super Junior-M concerts there. We also wish that through our songs, more people would come to know of SJ-M.

Siwon: If not for the support and care of our fans, there will not be this new mini-album. So thank you for your waiting and your efforts, we’ll repay with more performances on our part. Please like us more, thank you!

SOHU: Super Junior is going to hold the Shanghai stop of SUPER SHOW TWO on the 18th of this month, are there any surprises or special performances that you can tell us of right now?

Han Geng: This will be our first stop in China for our SUPER SHOW tour, and it will be held in the Shanghai Pudong Yuanshen Stadium, on the 18th. (Super Junior) wishes to see everyone in Shanghai, and SJ-M will be performing two new songs as well. So, let us meet in the Shanghai Pudong Yuanshen Stadium!

SJ-M: (Smiles) Hello everyone, we are Super Junior-M!

Source: korea.sohu
Translated by: hazel@ http://asianfanatics.net

ALLKPOP.com | SNSD Dominates the Filipino Charts - allkpop.com | breaking k-pop celebrity gossip and news!

The 9 sexy ladies of SNSD have dominated yet another music chart to add to their collection, but this time in the Philippines. Their mini-album, Tell Me Your Wish (Genie), has reached the remarkable #1 spot in Odyssey Record stores, which happens to be the largest record retail store in the country!

Not only can girls brag about their number one spot, but they can also say that they were the first female kpop group to hold the title! Just last month, fellow SM artists, Super Junior, nabbed the number one position with their hit album Sorry Sorry and are still hanging on to the number 9 position on the charts. SHINee has also managed to take the top 3 position on the charts with their Romeo mini album. Clearly, no country is safe from the powers and catchy tunes of Korean artists!

If you happen to be in the area, be sure to grab yourself a Philippine edition of the girls' mini album, which includes a full color booklet and a poster with each purchase!

Source:
http://www.allkpop.com/index.php/full_story/snsd_dominates_the_filipino_charts/

SHINee's MINI ALBUM "ROMEO" ENTERS LOCAL MUSIC CHART!

One of Korea's hottest groups SHINee also made an impact in the local music chart scene with the release of their 2nd mini album "Romeo". This release reached #3 in Odyssey Records outselling albums by other international artists like Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga and Black Eyed Peas.

SHINee was formed by SM Entertainment (the same company behind DBSK/TVXQ, Super Junior, BoA and Girls' Generation) in 2008. The five member boy band consists of Onew, Jonghyun, Key, Minho, and Taemin. In May 2008, the group's first mini-album "Replay" was released and peaked at #8 on the Korean music charts. They have also starred in their own reality show based on their song, “Nunan Neomu Yeppeo (Replay)”. They released their full debut album, "The SHINee World" (repackaged as "Amigo" in October 2008) on August 28, 2008, which debuted on the charts at #3. The first single released from the album "Love Like Oxygen" became the #1 song on M! Countdown. Since their debut, SHINee has won numerous awards like Rookie of the Month at the Cyworld Digital Music Award (June 22, 2008), Hot New Star Award at MNet's 20's Choice Awards 2008, Best New Artist at 5th Asia Song Festival, Best Style Icon Award at 2008 Style Icon Awards (October 30, 2008), Best Male Rookie Award at MNET KM Music Festival (November 15, 2008), YEPP Newcomer Album at 23rd Annual Golden Disk Awards, to name a few. SHINee are considered to be a fashion icon having starting the “Shinee Trend”, which is popular amongst the younger generation.

For 2009, the K-pop super rookies SHINee are back with their second mini-album! This time the "noona" favorites play "Romeo" with six brand-new numbers (and some new haircuts to match). Their latest single "Juliette" is an urban dance number from the creators of BoA's dance smash "Eat You Up", Dong Bang Shin Ki's " and SHINee's own "Love Like Oxygen". The song samples from Corbin Bleu's "Deal With It" and its romantic lyrics are written by none other than member Jong Hyun, making his songwriting debut. SHINee also collaborated with many hit songwriters, including Eco Bridge, Kenzie, and Jeong Yeop of Brown Eyed Soul, for fresh tracks like the R&B number "Hit Me Baby", the Spanish-style "Senorita", and the closing song "Romeo+ Juliette. All of the mini-album's songs combine to tell a complete Romeo and Juliet-inspired story.

Tracklisting :
01 . 니가 맘에 들어 (Talk To You)
02 . 줄리엣 (Juliette)
03 . 차라리 때려 (Hit Me Baby)
04 . 세뇨리따 (Señorita)
05 . 잠꼬대 (Please, Don't Go)
06 . 소년, 소녀를 만나다 (Romeo+Juliette)

Limited edition of SHINee colored poster will be given away free for every CD purchase EXCLUSIVELY in selected Odyssey Record outlets. Participating stores are Odyssey SM Megamall , O Music Video Rockwell, O Music Video Greenbelt, Odyssey Gateway, Odyssey SM Mall Of Asia, Odyssey Robinsons Place Ermita, Odyssey SM Manila, Odyssey Sta Lucia East Mall, Odyssey Alabang, Odyssey Robinsons Galleria, Odyssey SM Sta Mesa, Odyssey Festival Mall, Odyssey SM Pampanga and Odyssey SM Bacoor.

SHINee will be releasing a brand new mini-album entitled "2009, Year Of Us" this October.

IT'S OFFICIAL! GIRLS' GENERATION'S CD IS THE FIRST FEMALE K-POP ALBUM TO BECOME #1 IN THE PHILIPPINES!

The K-pop Invasion continues! This time another K-pop album has reached the NUMBER ONE position in Odyssey Record Stores, one of the country's biggest record retail chains with more than 50 stores nationwide. The official chart was published in October 13th issue of Philippine Daily Inquirer.

The mini-album by Korean all-girl group Girls' Generation titled "Tell Me Your Wish-Genie" holds the distinction of being the FIRST female K-pop act's album to reach NUMBER ONE in Philippine Album Chart. This is the second time a Korean artist zoomed to the number one spot, the first K-pop artist to make it to the top was Super Junior in September 2009.

A nine-piece girl group from South Korea, Girls' Generation, also known as SNSD (the acronym of So Nyeo Shi Dae) was formed in 2007 by SM Entertainment (South Korea's #1 record label/management agency), to go along with the company's other dance-pop group, the 13 member boy band Super Junior. Its members include (in order of official announcement) Yoona, Tiffany, Yuri, Hyoyeon, Sooyoung, Seohyun, Taeyeon (the leader) , Jessica, and Sunny. The group consists of members who speak English, Japanese, and Chinese in addition to Korean. Many of the girls have had prior experience in the entertainment world as actresses, VJs, singers and models. The group made their official debut in August 2007 with single "Into the New World " and released their first self-titled album in November 2007 (re-released as “Baby Baby” in March 2009). The album sold over 100,000 copies by April 2008, an impressive number in Korean music market. The girls were back in early 2009 with their mini-album "Gee". The title song was a huge hit, topping various musical charts, including a record-breaking #1 song for 9 consecutive weeks on KBS Music Bank, which started the whole K-pop girl group craze in Asia!

After releasing the first #1 K-pop album (Super Junior's "Sorry Sorry" CD) in the country, Universal Records is proud to announce the release of K-pop's #1 girl group Girls' Generations' 2nd mini album titled "Tell Me Your Wish-Genie". Originally released in June 2009, this mini-album is the group's 3rd release to reach 100,000 sales mark! The smash album includes the carrier single "Genie" written by the hitmakers Yoo Young-jin and Yoo Han-jin and the songwriter team "Design Music" plus five other sweet pop numbers of different styles. This time the group is going with a marine girl concept for their album and photos of the girls in sailor uniforms are causing a stir among fans!

The Philippine edition of Girls' Generation "Tell Me Your Wish-Genie" includes a full color booklet similar to the Korean edition. Limited edition Girls' Generation colored poster will be given away free for every CD purchase EXCLUSIVELY in selected Odyssey Record outlets. Participating stores are Odyssey SM Megamall , O Music Video Rockwell, O Music Video Greenbelt, Odyssey Gateway, Odyssey SM Mall Of Asia, Odyssey Robinsons Place Ermita, Odyssey SM Manila, Odyssey Sta Lucia East Mall, Odyssey Alabang, Odyssey Robinsons Galleria, Odyssey SM Sta Mesa, Odyssey Festival Mall, Odyssey SM Pampanga and Odyssey SM Bacoor.

Tracklisting :
01. 소원을 말해봐(Genie)
02. Etude
03. 여자친구(Girlfriend)
04. 남자친구(Boyfriend)
05. 동화(My Child)
06. 1년 後(One Year Later)

Jed Madela Receives 2 Platinum Record Awards on ASAP 09 (10/11/09)



Jed Madela was awarded Platinum Record awards for his albums "SONGS REDISCOVERED 2: THE ULTIMATE OPM PLAYLIST" and "ONLY HUMAN" at ASAP '09 last October 11th.

October 14, 2009

SHINee "Ring Ding Dong"

SHINee’s comeback song "Ring Ding Dong" up #1 on realtime charts right after reveal

SHINee has gone up to the #1 spot on music chart as soon as they come back.

SHINee’s comeback 3rd mini-album "2009, Year of Us" title song "Ring Ding Dong" was revealed on 14th October. As soon as the song was revealed, it went up to #1 on Cyworld realtime chart, receiving overwhelming responses from netizens and fans. The song is also going up fast on other various music charts.

SHINee is back with a new image this time for their comeback. They are showing strong transformation, with new image and also new sound. The song "Ring Ding Dong" is an Afro-electro genre song with African drums and grooves.

The "Ring Ding Dong" in the song represents the bell sounds that will ring in one’s head at the moment one falls in love.

The group will have their comeback stage performing ‘Ring Ding Dong’ on 16th October on KBS Music Bank.

Source : Kbites

PEP.ph | Christian Bautista admits that being busy is just an excuse for having no lovelife

by: Rose Garcia
Wednesday, October 14, 2009 | 02:49 PM

Kahapon, October 13 sana ang alis ng singer na si Christian Bautista sa U.S. para sa Unity Tour concert nila ni Kuh Ledesma. Pero last night, nag-text si Christian sa PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) na hindi pa raw dumarating ang visa niya since na-delay siya sa pagkuha nito. Most likely, baka raw ngayong araw na ito, October 14, pa lang siya makaalis.

Timing nga raw ang concept ng concert nila ni Kuh sa U.S., which is to bring unity sa Filipinos abroad. Pero dahil sa nangyaring kalamidad dala ng mga bagyong Ondoy at Pepeng, para na rin daw sa mga nasalanta ng bagyo ang concert nila.

"It's a unity tour concert with Kuh Ledesma," banggit ni Christian sa PEP. "Ang talagang main purpose namin noong una is to unite the Filipinos, to help each other. Pero dahil sa nangyaring calamity sa atin, we would also be there to get relief and funding for the typhoon victims. That's what we're gonna do there."

GOLD RECORD IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS. Bago naman umalis, masaya si Christian dahil ang kaka-release lang niyang album from Universal Records, Romance Revisited: The Love Songs of Jose Mari Chan, turned Gold less than two weeks after its release.

Ibinigay na nga kay Christian ang Gold Record award niya noong Linggo, October 11, sa ASAP '09. "It's really amazing! After less than two weeks of release, naging Gold na agad yung album. And I was just informed today na sa Astrovision, number one na yung album. Sa Music One, number one din daw, at sa Odyssey, number four. So, very good, very good talaga. Hopefully, kapag dumiretso pa ang ganitong sales, maging Platinum agad," masayang kuwento ni Christian nang makausap namin siya sa telepono.

Mukhang lahat ng ginagawa ngayon ni Christian ay related sa kung paano siya makakatulong sa mga biktima ng dalawang bagyong sumalanta sa Pilipinas. With regards to his new album under Universal Records, part of his royalty will go to World Vision.

"Yes, part of the royalty will go to the World Vision victims. Siguro, sa mga hindi nakakaalam, ang World Vision kasi, they support families. Twenty thousand families from World Vision were affected, kaya naisip ko na yung part of my royalty for the album will be donated to them," sabi ng singer.

"KAYA NATIN 'TO." Bago rin umalis papuntang U.S., isa si Christian sa nag-record ng kantang "Kaya Natin 'To, kung saan, nag-unite ang halos majority ng OPM artists—Kapamilya man o Kapuso—in recording one song. Ginawa ang recording ng kantang nilikha ni Ogie Alcasid sa studio ni Jay-R sa mismong bahay nito.
"The song is for the concert for the victims of bagyong Ondoy and Pepeng na rin. It's a concert that will feature different artists from different networks and labels.

"Noong Lunes ng gabi, nag-record kami ng kanta sa bahay ni Jay-R, pero for free lang yun lahat. Kahapon pa lang, ang dami na naming recording artists, iba't ibang networks. Sila Ogie Alcasid, Regine Velasquez, Jaya, Kyla, Geneva Cruz, Jolina Magdangal, Eric Santos... Marami na kaming nag-record, pero ang alam ko, marami pa rin ang hahabol. At yung mga nasa ibang bansa, like Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera, Lea Salonga, magpapadala rin sila ng recording nila.

"Yung culminating event will be a big concert at Mall of Asia. Ang maganda rito, all the artists are waiving their talent fees. Kami-kami mismo yung nagpaalam sa mga network namin na gusto naming gawin yung recording na ito at yung concert for the victims of typhoon. Kumbaga, it's really time for us to unite," lahad ni Christian.

Gaganapin ang naturang concert sa December 5. In a way, although napakarami talagang napinsala ng dalawang bagyong nagdaan, masasabi naman niyang dahil din sa pangyayaring ito, nagkaisa ang lahat, lalo na ang artists ng ABS-CBN at GMA-7.

"Definitely! Sometimes hard lessons are learned from hard times. Sometimes, life is so comfortable. People become complacent. So far, those were the three things I'm part of. Hopefully, it will bring hope again," asam ni Christian.

BUSY CHRISTIAN. Sa November ay mas lalong magiging busy si Christian dahil pagdating niya ng October 28, magkakaroon naman siya ng concert with American singer-composer Jim Brickman sa Eastwood City. First time lang daw niyang mami-meet si Jim sa mismong concert nito.

"Actually, I have recorded one song for his album. Hindi ko lang sure kung kailan exactly ang labas nito. It's one original song from him na medyo rock, na medyo inspirational din.

"I haven't met him pa. Pero in a way, yung songs din kasi niya are ballads kaya kahit paano, naging influence rin sa music ko. Mahilig siyang mag-collaborate sa mga Disney movies. One of my favorites, hindi siya masyadong sikat, pero the title of the song is 'Beautiful' from Cinderella."

After that, lilipad naman siya sa Indonesia for a concert, kung saan ay makaka-duet niya ang isang Indonesian singer ng kantang "Please Be Careful with My Heart" and another one pa from Malaysia...

Read the full article here:
http://www.pep.ph/news/23522/Christian-Bautista-admits-that-being-busy-is-just-an-excuse-for-having--no-lovelife

UNIVERSAL RECORDS DOMINATES LOCAL MUSIC CHARTS!


Universal Records does it again!!! After crushing its competitors last September with their certified #1 albums like MARTIN NIEVERA & GARY VALENCIANO's "As 1" and SUPER JUNIOR's "Sorry Sorry" albums, it seems like their winning streak continues this October with TWO NUMBER ONE ALBUMS - CHRISTIAN BAUTISTA's "Romance Revisited: The Love Songs Of Jose Mari Chan" and GIRLS' GENERATION's "Tell Me Your Wish-Genie"!

Asia's Romantic Balladeer Christian Bautista's latest CD for Universal Records is currently #1 in Music One Stores while Korea's all-girl group Girls' Generation's album shot straight to the #1 position in Odyssey Records Stores, the country's biggest record retail chain.

October 13, 2009

WORLD CHAMPION JED MADELA RECEIVES TWO PLATINUM RECORD AWARDS!

World Champion Jed Madela got the surprise of his life when he received not one but TWO Platinum Record Awards last Sunday (October 11th) on ASAP 09. The Platinum Record Awards were for his two bestselling albums "Only Human" and "Songs Rediscovered 2: The Ultimate OPM Playlist". Jed received the awards from Universal Records' General Manager Kathleen Dy Go during the launch of his new single "To Love Again", a cover one of Megastar Sharon Cuneta's biggest hits.

"Songs Rediscovered 2: The Ultimate OPM Playlist" is available in two formats - the 2CD hardbound edition with a free minus one CD and the 1CD regular edition. Jed Madela's songs are 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:

1) To Love Again (originally popularized by Sharon Cuneta)
2) Can’t We Start Over Again (originally popularized by Jose Mari Chan)
3) I Need You Back (originally popularized by Raymond Lauchengco)
4) Give Me A Chance (originally popularized by Ric Segreto)
5) I'll Always Stay In Love This Way (originally popularized Baron Barbers)
6) Maybe (originally popularized by Neocolours)
7) Smile In Your Heart (originally popularized by Jam Morales)
8) You (originally popularized by Basil Valdez)
9) A Friend (originally popularized by Keno)
10) Everyday (originally popularized by Agot Isidro)
11) Friend Of Mine (originally popularized by Odette Quesada)
12) Got To Let You Know (originally popularized by Tito Mina)
13) Let The Pain Remain (originally popularized by Basil Valdez)
14) Can Find No Reason (originally popularized by Louie Heredia)
15) Hold On (originally popularized by Side A)
16) Special Memory (originally popularized by Iwi Laurel)

Jim Brickman Photos


Go to this link to see more Jim Brickman photos:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=327177&id=214540185413

JIM BRICKMAN'S NEWEST SINGLE "BEAUTIFUL WORLD" CLIMBING THE CHARTS!

"Beautiful World", the fantastic single by Jim Brickman featuring Adam Crossley is climbing the Billboard's Adult Contemporary Chart. It's up to number 22. The track is taken from Jim Brickman's newest CD "Beautiful World".

Here's the song's lyrics:

BEAUTIFUL WORLD

Strawberry lips shining in the summer sun
Canary-tips glowing there for everyone
You fell asleep under the cherry tree

La la la la la la
It’s a beautiful world and we’re all here

Your winter skin warming in the summer sun
We know within you will stay forever young
You fell asleep under the starlit sea
It’s time to wake up

The moon is high above you
We’re all here ‘cause we love you
And when you finally open your eyes and ears
You’ll see and you’ll hear us singing

La la la la la la
It’s a beautiful world and we’re all here
La la la la la la
It’s a beautiful world and we’re all here
La la la la la la, It’s a beautiful world

You fell asleep under the starlit sea
It’s time to wake up

The moon is high above you
We’re all here ‘cause we love you
And when you finally open your eyes and ears
You’ll see and you’ll hear us singing

La la la la la la
It’s a beautiful world and we’re all here
La la la la la la
It’s a beautiful world and we’re all here
La la la la la la, It’s a beautiful world

October 12, 2009

FOLLOW JIM BRICKMAN



Just go to:
Official website: http://www.jimbrickman.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/JimBrickman
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jimbrickman
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/jimbrickmanmusic
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/thejimbrickmanmusic

SUPER JUNIOR-M Mini Album "SUPER GIRL"



It's confirmed! Universal Records will release Super Junior-M Mini Album "Super Girl" this October!

Watch out for the announcement of official release date!



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Super Junior M - Super Girl [2009 Dream Concert]



At the 2009 Dream Concert