BRIT-Award winners Blake have recorded their first ‘Asia-only’ album, including two duets with stars from the Philippines. The album, available on iTunes now, features 3 tracks sung by Blake in the Filipino language of Tagalog, establishing a world first for a British group….
The album is available to download from iTunes right here: https://itunes.apple.com/ph/album/the-opm-album-ep/id775720993
Watch BLAKE singing to 65,000 Filipinos earlier this year, previewing the song ‘Manila’ from this album…
Blake will be spending two weeks in Manila this December, performing their new Tagalog songs live in concerts in and around the capital, plus a special trip to Cagayan de Oro, mixed in with appearances on the biggest tv shows in the Philippines. This marks their fifth trip to the Philippines in just three years, showing quite how much the trio love the country and enjoy performing there. The album is out December 14th.
The boys gave their personal thanks to those that helped them with the album, along with a little insight into what it was like to record the songs in a new language.
Humphrey:
Recording some of the most loved songs in the Philippines, in Tagalog, has been both a great experience and challenge for Blake. Singing romantic songs in a language from a very romantic nation is a wonderful combination. We hope our versions and performances have done them justice. It certainly makes me feel closer to the Filipino culture and people that we’ve come to know so well over the last three years. The lyrics are all deeply emotional which we naturally connect with as performers. We look forward to singing these live in the Philippines and seeing you very soon. Salamat.
Stephen:
It’s hard to believe that only 3 years ago we boys were contemplating our first ever trip to the Philippines. By the kind invitation of the Ayala group and the Zobel famly, organised by our enduring manager Anton, we were shown the beauty, the kindness and the musical richness of the Philippines. We have have been in love with Filipino culture ever since. Whether performing concerts in Manila, or singing for 70,000 Filipinos at Barrio Fiesta in London, we always feel the pride of the Pinoys in their fine culture. It’s our honour to be a small part of this with this album. Where ever we are in the world, the Philippines is always close to our hearts. Salamat.
Ollie:
Every time we return to the Philippines, we continue to be touched by the warmth and kindness everyone shows us. As three singers, we spend our lives travelling the world, singing love songs, hoping they touch people. The passion for love songs in the Philippines is legendary, which is why we felt it was time for Blake to attempt our first OPM album, showing our respect for songs which have delighted generations of Filipinos around the world. As we recorded these songs, the terrible news of Typhoon Haiyan reached us, saddening us greatly. We dedicate this album to all those affected, praying that it may bring a little happiness and hope. Blake will always be there for the Philippines. Salamat.
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