22 TANGO RECORDS

CATTSKI CAMPAIGNS FOR UPCOMING ALBUM W/ A DOCU-SERIES

2012-01-30T19:04:00.000-08:00

For a year now, we have been following CATTSKI to thestudios so she can show us the progress of her new album production and also soshe could tell us stories about the songs. The album dubbed 0:00:00 (or Zero) is officially her 4^thstudio album. The project, which is nolonger a band effort, isn’t exactly a solo effort since Cattski is workingclosely with musician & sound engineer Jad Bantug (he's also the guy behind 1032 Recording Studios). Jad has been Cattski’s official leadguitarist since end of 2009.

Jad Bantug & Cattski Espina at 1032 Recording Studios

As we were documenting this journey, we were able to capturemoments of the unique musical partnership between Cattski & Jad. Thedirection, in terms of the collective sound, is a huge departure from Cattski’sprevious albums. The sound design of allthe songs have been provided by Cattski while major instrumentals &electronics have been provided by Jad. And together, they have taken on a brave new soundwith elements of Folk and Electronica.

You can watch the magic closely through a 9-episodedocumentary series we humbly call “COUNTDOWN TO 0:00:00”. Here’s the introduction episode…

Follow this journey:

www.facebook.com/CATTSKI,

www.twitter.com/CATTSKI

www.thecatandhermusic.tumblr.com

Sincerely yours,

TEAM 22TANGO

WONGGOYS’ PINK SONG FOR A CAUSE NOW AVAILABLE!

2011-11-09T18:05:00.000-08:00

“Life to Live” the Wonggoys’ latest single is finallyavailable for download via the 22 Tango Records Digital Music Distribution. The song was written for the ICANSERVEFoundation, a non-stock and non-profit organization that advocates on BreastCancer Awareness. They also provide assistanceto women with breast cancer.

Song is available for download at $2. All the proceeds of “Life to Live” fromOctober 21, 2011 until October 21, 2012 will be given to ICANSERVE Foundation.

The single was composed and written by Wonggoys and producedby Cattski Espina. Recorded at Zzubu Recording Studios. Mixed and mastered byPaul Cañada.

Download the song here: "LIFE TO LIVE" - Wonggoys

LUI DEBUT EP NOW ON DIGITAL DOWNLOAD!

2011-04-12T22:42:00.000-07:00

Singer-Songwriter Lui Castillo’s debut EP is now part of the 22 Tango Records Digital Music roster. The album dubbed LUI STORIES is composed of 4 tracks that showcase her different musical styles.

The first track, Live for Today, is a fun reggae track that you can take to the beach. It talks about living in the moment and enjoying life. A perfect summer song! The second song, Kakaibang Saya, is a jazzy track with catchy guitar lines and fun lyrics. The third track, I Write You Letters, written singer/songwriter Mark Cortez, is an emotional duet that tells a story through the lyrical dialouge. The song is part of the Soundtrack for Jerrold Tarog’s well-acclaimed indie film “Senior Year” (2011). The last track, Katok, shows the alt-rock flavor of Lui’s musicality.

This fresh release is worthy of a presence in your mp3 players!

Click here to download!

SOUND MINDS SPEAK VOLUMES ( A New Review!)

2011-03-28T01:53:00.000-07:00

ALBUM REVIEW
ARTIST: Cattski
ALBUM: Sound Minds Speak Volumes
RELEASED: 2009
PRODUCER/EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Cattski Espina
LABEL MANAGEMENT: 22 TANGO RECORDS

RIGHT from the first track, ‘100’ down to ‘Genius’, the album is all at once vintage Cattski. And yet this band, so rooted in Cebu’s music scene and pop culture, has indeed grown up. The band tries out some new stuff and yet it’s familiar enough to be comforting.

Not making light of all the artistry poured into the album, but this is how I think it came about: It’s like Cattski was looking at the blinking red button and said, ‘Ooohh I wonder what will happen if we push that?’ And she does. And it’s a big explosion of snippets of shiny musical inspiration that make its way into each track, one way or other.

The boys, bassist, Brian Sacro and guitarist, Junell Codilla, have stayed true to their craft. Guitarist and band mate, Anne Muntuerto, Cattski’s unfailing girl Friday, delivers the goods. Not easy when they all have day jobs. They’re the reasons why Cattski’s distinct enthralling voice has been given the platform it deserves.

A string of guest artists gives the album a different but welcome feel to it. A special mention of B’dict Climaco’s vocals in ‘Temporary’ has to be put out here. The man can sing me to sleep every night.

Music has always been subjective but it would take a tone-deaf, musically bankrupt llama not to appreciate how easily ‘Sound Minds Speak Volumes’ slips into your playlist. The album makes us glad that the band has stayed true to their passion, both living in and respecting music. And the fact that it needs to be shared.

Is this the band’s best effort yet? Yes and no. Each album has its own story and it’s never fair to compare each offering. Cattski Espina feeds off her emotions and sings them all out. Frustration, seeming apathy, condescension, longing, desires and anger. She sends them out to the world and we sit up and listen. We listen because we understand where she’s coming from. Musicians are luckier than most because they have found a way to release the clamouring of the soul into the wild with few casualties.

A recurring theme in ‘Sound Minds Speak Volumes’ is a longing for something. What is she looking for? Will we ever find out? And will we get to listen in? We expect great things.

-Krissi Banzon, Uvongo Beach South Africa 19 February 2011

UNDERCOVER GRASSHOPPERS RELEASES NEW SINGLE

2011-03-18T22:15:00.000-07:00

Despite the band’s inconsistent presence in the music scene due to extremely unpredictable schedules, they are consistent and persistent on their intention of releasing their debut album this year. So far, they have successfully released one track, Frantic Static, which gained national attention as it was included in the original soundtrack album of Metanoia, a major animated motion picture.

A year after the release of Frantic Static, Undercover Grasshoppers releases new single dubbed Finding Marvin. With this track, the band boasts of their guitar driven sound and profound lyrical writing plus their risky experimental transitions.

Listen to it, you’ll see. Not too many bands are as brave as the Undercover Grasshoppers. Watch out as 22 Tango Records releases their debut album this year!

HERE'S "FINDING MARVIN"

Finding Marvin - Undercover Grasshoppers by 22TANGORECORDS

CATTSKI RELEASES NEW MUSIC VIDEO

2011-03-15T19:30:00.000-07:00

Genius, a song from the album Sound Minds Speak Volumes and Cattski Ten, now has an official music video. Shot in the streets of Colon, Magallanes and Juan Luna, deep in downtown Cebu City, the music video is poised to tell you a story and not to impress you with special effects or high quality cinematography.

It was produced and implemented with very limited resources and very simple equipment. Pre-production of the music video was done middle of last year (2010) and only had 1 day shoot sometime in August. Editing was just recently culminated after several revisions.

The music video of Genius features the boys of Red Habagat, a group of young film makers who make short funny films for viral sharing on social media sites. Produced by Cattski Espina and co-produced by a four-man crew of new young film enthusiasts.

Watch the video here:

CREDITS

Crew:
Cattski Espina (Producer)
Manna Alcaraz (Direction)
Gwenmarie Reyes (Assistant Direction)
Bong Aller (Camera 1)
Noel Verula (Camera 2 & Video Editing)
Dominic Roa (Make-up Artist)

Featuring: RED HABAGAT

Philip Bawasanta
Oswald Ouano
Louis Michael Ouano
Chris John Yeto
Thomas Pua
Teodis Buma-at II
Kristoffer Abelita
Earl Jaru Obenza

Special Appearance
Vaughn Reykurt Gaviola

Special Thanks to Ysai Perez

ODYSSEY OUTLETS: WHERE THE CDS ARE!

2011-02-21T18:31:00.000-08:00

Here’s the list of the Odyssey Music Outlets where you can find 2 of our products CATTSKI - Sound Minds Speak Volumes and the recently released WONGGOYS debut – I’m Not Sure What To Say But I’ll Say It Anyway.

METRO MANILA

Ayala Alabang 2

Ayala Quad Park Square

Filinvest

Gateway Mall Araneta

Greenbelt 1

Market Market

Mega Mall

Robinson's Ermita

Rockwell

SM Bicutan

SM Centerpoint 2

SM Fairview

SM Mall of Asia

SM Manila

SM Marikina

SM North Annex

SM South Mall

SM Sucat

SM Taytay

Sta. Lucia Mall 1

METRO CEBU

SM City Cebu
Ayala Center Cebu

BACOLOD

SM City Bacolod

Yes you can find the music at your nearest Odyssey Music Stores! :-)

ODYSSEY MUSIC STORES NOW DISTRIBUTES 22TANGO!

2011-02-15T03:29:00.000-08:00

We recently signed a distribution deal with Odyssey Next Edge, the company behind Odyssey Music Stores. The agreement entails that Odyssey Next Edge is to distribute all album releases by 22 Tango Records in all Metro Manila branches as well as Metro Cebu and Bacolod.

As of the moment, Odyssey Music Stores are carrying the albums Sound Minds Speak Volumes by CATTSKI and I’m Not Sure What To Say But I’ll Say It Anyway by WONGGOYS.

We’re very happy about this partnership and we appreciate Odyssey’s efforts in assisting independent record labels with its distribution. The agreement is beneficial to the labels and the artists, and it has a proper system in terms of documentation, reporting and delivery.

From our end, we just really want the music to be accessible to the public as we have been getting some feedback on its inaccessibility. For the longest time, we've only been accepting orders and shipping the merchandise out. Now we don’t have to...

Grab the Cattski & Wonggoys CDs in your nearest Odyssey Music Store.

ICO MUSIC IS PUBLISHER OF WONGGOYS SONGS

2011-01-12T02:13:00.000-08:00

ICO Music Publishing just recently signed Wonggoys music under its catalogue. All of the songs in the recently launched Wonggoys debut album I’m Not Sure What To Say But I’ll Say It Anyway has been transferred and assigned to Ian Zafra, Proprietor of ICO Music. This agreement gives ICO Music exclusive rights to grant licenses to parties who would like to make use of the music.

The business of music publishing is concerned with developing, protecting and valuing music. Music publishers play a vital role in the development of music and taking care of the business side of things. ICO Music’s presence in the music scene will absolutely help develop structure and maybe even promote an industry out of this very talented music community.

ICO Music Publishing is also the publisher of Undercover Grasshoppers who granted 22 Tango Records rights to produce the band’s upcoming debut album.

UNDERCOVER GRASSHOPPERS RETURNS

2010-12-26T18:49:00.000-08:00

After months of hiatus, the hoppers are back!

We’re very excited to announce that the Undercover Grasshoppers have resumed their efforts in finishing their debut album with two new songs to include in the album line-up. Currently, they’re still on the pre-prod stage for some of the songs but they’re definitely back and they will be recording soon.

They made their return official through a gig last December 22^nd where they played with other 22 Tango Records artists. We are just happy that they’re back in the scene and ready to make more music.

Although, they were very silent for most of 2010, their single Frantic Static made it to an album compilation for the original motion picture soundtrack of the animated movie RPG Metanoia. The album is out and available in popular record stores.

Frontwoman Cilee Kuizon, on the other hand, was also able to participate in that Various Artist version of the song Matahum Nga Cebu which is a collaborative effort of Artists & Musicians Marketing Cooperative and Real Cebu Television.

Now that they’re back, there’s more in store for them and, definitely, they will be making some noise. Watch out for the Undercover Grasshoppers debut album coming out in 2011!

TANGLED IN TANGO!

2010-12-18T04:27:00.000-08:00

There are so many reasons why we should be in a celebratory mood. It’s the end of the year and it’s the best time to look back on the things that have been done. I guess it’s pretty normal to feel a bit excited looking back on the series things that have happened. It makes us feel like we’re really on to something here.

While we’re at it, maybe we should go two years back because some things should always count like, for example, the release of Kismet The Singles as well as the Cattski album Sound Minds Speak Volumes prior to the Kismet release on the same year 2009. And before that year ended, Undercover Grasshoppers signed an agreement with us for the production of their debut album. That was a pretty good year.

Came 2010 and things kept happening. The Cattski TEN Anniversary Album which contained 10 of the most memorable Cattski songs was released in two formats, the regular CD and the Deluxe Album that included a DVD and a story book of the Cattski musical journey.

In a matter of months, 22 Tango Records facilitated the release of Inspirational Pop Singer Raki Vega’s first independent album dubbed “We Will Rise Again”.

It was also this year that 22 Tango Records established a partnership with Singapore-based Indie Music Philippines for a collaborative online distribution agreement. This paved the way for the 22 Tango Digital Music Distribution which became an online portal for local music.

And because of this partnership, 22 Tango Records now carries the music of Missing Filemon and Sheila & the Insects.

Then we signed the band Chisca. It was all because front-woman Mary Anchit is a spectacular song writer. We discovered her in one of Artist Ko’s Songwriters Night at the Outpost where she played as guest songwriter. Her songs are rich in substance plus it goes very well with her alto-ish voice w/ husky tones. Although the Chisca album is still in its very early stages in production, I can already tell it’s going to be a good album.

Admittedly, we have developed an eye for a new artist, the trip hop band Womb. We have already expressed interest in making them part of the roster. No talks have been made yet but we’re hoping to welcome them soon.

Unexpectedly, we’re closing this year with a major bang as we have just released the debut album of the latest artist to join the roster, Wonggoys. Wonggoys is a 3 piece act composed of the Wong brothers Gabe, Billy & Kyle. This brotherhood is of high caliber talent and poses as the city’s (if not the country’s) best act to come out this year. Their album I’m Not Sure What To Say But I’ll Say It Anyway is absolutely a neat package of 10 tracks with an all original song line-up.

Lastly, we just purchased our domain name www.22tangorecords.com, so next year can only mean that we’ll be developing this site. We want it to be functional and maybe even revenue making site and, most of all it should carry the music! Fun!

I guess by now you know why we feel like celebrating. And we thought it probably won’t hurt if we gather most of our artists together in one night for a little live music. And of course do it on a perfect date, December 22! Come watch!

KISMET MEANS FATE!

2010-12-10T20:49:00.000-08:00

And it was fate that brought together musicians who collaborated to create three wonderful versions of the single Kismet that make up the album Kismet The Singles.

Looking back, we don’t exactly know why and how it happened so it is safe to say that it was fate. Kismet!

Kismet The Singles also marked our transition from being the vanity record label for Cattski to becoming a record label for other artists. Since then we opened our doors and in came artists such as Undercover Grasshoppers, Wonggoys & Chisca. And since our partnership with Indie Music Philippines, 22 Tango Records now handles the online distribution of artists such as Sheila & The Insects, Missing Filemon and Raki Vega.

So yes, Kismet started it all.

Here are the three versions of Kismet

SIBLING REVELRY: A Review by Jude Bacalso

2010-12-09T21:42:00.001-08:00

Crafting music, at least for the Wonggoys, is still best done the old fashioned way.

The brothers: Gabriel, Billyboy and Kyle, first draw inspiration from the now: Facebook crushes, laser beams and the desire to be king of the world, and some cryptic boytalk—all of which lend amazingly well to great guitar playing honed from years of aping their musical inspirations, until they come into their own in this debut album.

The tracks, produced by veteran Cebuano musician Cattski Espina and distributed by homegrown 22 Tango Records, sound like conversations the siblings have among themselves, to catchy rhythm. The title track embodies the spirit of the entire collection: I’m not sure what to say, but I’ll say it anyway. Not exactly a Jack Kerouac stream of consciousness, it does have undertones of this untethered release of emotions into precisely arranged words: bridge, refrain and all. And the subject matter, perfect for a debut release and in tune with the naught-laced innocence of the three, is never heavy-handed and always—almost nonchalantly—spot on current.

Bound for heavy player rotation, or repeat radio airplay, are the jazz and blues-infused, guitar-driven dilemma in Chase the Girl (or Rule the World), the ingeniously-written patriotic piece Kalayaan sung in Cebuano, Filipino and Hiligaynon, the Jason Mraz-inspired HD, and the track that best showcases their wicked sense of humor, Bonus Track…masquerading as the sweetest love song.

Completed in a little over 4 months, this neat little package comes in a tiny full circle, definitely the first of many. Photographed by the award-winning Dr. Erwin Lim, who also shot them for their first newspaper feature, it’s the perfect Holiday gift from Gabe, Billyboy and Kyle to a listening public hungry for a new sound that doesn’t labor to be heard.

Like the brothers who make the music, they just grown on you.

Wonggoys’ Non-traditional Album Packaging

2010-12-07T03:19:00.000-08:00

After this year’s Cattski Ten Deluxe Version album release that had an exquisitely designed CD packaging, 22 Tango Records got a little (just a little) obsessed with non- traditional album packaging. With the intention to produce quality stuff, 22 Tango partnered with Project Box Inc. in coming up with new and innovative designs for CD packaging. A few mock-ups, which included a pop-up type and drawer type, were created and made ready for future album releases.

It didn’t take long and the Wonggoys came into the picture and now we have this chance to showcase the new packaging style. This is all because 22 Tango Records believe that good packaging should go with great music!

Official release date of Wonggoys’ I’m Not Sure What To Say But I’ll Say It Anyway is December 9, 2010. It’s an all-original full length album containing 10 tracks. The album is produced by musician and 22 Tango Records founder Cattski Espina, Sound Engineered by Jad Bantug and recorded at 1032 Recording Studios.

For more details; www.facebook.com/Wonggoys

Bracing for Upcoming Release: Wonggoys

2010-12-05T00:49:00.000-08:00

We will not end the year without releasing a new album. And we are happy that it’s a damned good one!

22 Tango Records is proud to release the album I’m Not Sure What To Say But I’ll Say It Anyway by Wonggoys. It’s a ten-track debut of all original tracks written and composed by the Wonggoys themselves. The album’s official release date is December 9, 2010.

Wonggoys is the three piece act of the Wong brothers; Gabriel, William and Kyle. The album is produced by 22 Tango’s Cattski Espina and sound engineered by Jad Bantug who also performed and arranged most of the instrumental tracks. Production was started early August of this year and culminated end of November.

We will soon be announcing the details on how to purchase the albums as well as CD outlets.This is, by far, the fastest full length album that was managed by 22 Tango Records.

Our Story...

2010-12-03T18:14:00.000-08:00

22 Tango Records is an independent record label based in Cebu City, Philippines. It was initially the vanity record label of the artist CATTSKI. 4 albums have been released for Cattski namely the self-titled debut Cattski (2001), Vacuum My Inside (2003) Sound Minds Speak Volumes (2009) and Cattski Ten (2010).

In 2009, 22 Tango Records transitioned to accommodate new artists with the intention of developing a roster through a collaboration album dubbed Kismet The Singles which brought in Ian Zafra of Sheila and the Insects as the collaborating artist. Also in 2009, upcoming band Undercover Grasshoppers signed with 22 Tango Records for their debut album. This album is currently in production and will be released in 2011.

In 2010, 22 Tango Records launched its Online Digital Music Distribution through a partnership with Singapore-based company Indie Music Philippines. This partnership paved the way for Cebu-based artists such as Sheila & the Insects, Missing Filemon and Raki Vega to be distributed online under a locally managed distribution portal.

On the same year, the female fronted band Chisca and band of brothers Wonggoys signed with 22 Tango Records for their debut albums. Chisca is currently recording while Wonggoys just finished production of their album I’m Not Sure What To Say But I’ll Say It Anyway.

MISSING FILEMON ALBUMS - NOW AVAILABLE!

2010-10-17T18:38:00.000-07:00

We're happy to announce that Missing Filemon albums are now available for download. The 2 albums are the self-titled debut albumMissing Filemon and the follow-up Sine-sine. Both albums are true gems of Cebuano culture, exactly why we are very happy to be carrying Missing Filemon under our roster. Currently, the band is wrapping up the production of their 3rd album and we are working on to carry that anticipated album as well.

Missing Filemon - click to download

Sinesine - click to download

22 Tango Distributes Missing Filemon

2010-09-27T01:02:00.000-07:00

We’re proud to announce that 22 Tango Records will be distributing Missing Filemon music through our online digital distribution portal Indie Music Philippines. Missing Filemon fans and Cebuano rock fans, in general, will now have a chance to purchase the digital tracks through online download. The available albums are the self titled debut Missing Filemon (2003) and Sinesine (2005).

Missing Filemon is considered to be the most successful Cebuano-speaking rock band. Their music speaks of the life of a common Cebuano – from life situations, love, courtships, despair and hope. Theirs is the kind that is culturally rich - the epitome of Cebu music, if there is such a thing. The word Bisrock, short for Bisayan Rock - the subgenre of Pinoy Rock, was even coined because of them.

Missing Filemon maybe very loyal to their Cebuano roots but the rest of Visayas and the Philippines can absolutely relate to their sound and their truth.

THE INSECTS ARE NOW DOWNLOADABLE

2010-08-20T20:30:00.000-07:00

Sheila and the Insects albums are now available for download through the 22 Tango Online Digital Music Distribution. Through a partnership with Singapore-based company Indie Music Philippines, 22 Tango Records is now distributing music online with a user friendly and convenient download process. More music from Cebu artists will be available soon.

Meantime, here’s a treat to all Sheila and the Insects fans all over the world. You can now have access to SATI music through this portal. We are proud to carry the music of Cebu’s biggest band – Sheila & the Insects.

PLASTIC EYES STATIC MINDS - Click here to download

FLOWER FISH - Click here to download

MANIPULATOR - Click here to download

22 Tango Distributes Sheila & The Insects

2010-08-07T21:24:00.001-07:00

Three of Sheila & The Insects’ albums namely Plastic Eyes Static Minds, Manipulator and Flowerfish will now be sold online through the 22 Tango Digital Music Online Distribution that’s powered by Indie Music Philippines. SATI fans worldwide can now have a chance to get hold of their music through this portal.

22 Tango is happy to manage, promote & distribute SATI music online. Thanks to ICO Music Publishing, SATI’s official publishing house, 22 Tango was granted licensing rights. We’ll be announcing the launch date soon and will be sending out the links. Watch out for it.

22 Tango Announces Partnership with Indie Music Philippines

2010-07-28T01:38:00.000-07:00

22 Tango Records now has a portal to sell and promote music online through Indie Music Philippines, a Singapore-based online company run by Filipinos who want to feature music by Filipino musicians. The partnership was officially agreed upon early 2nd quarter of this year.

The partnership entails that through 22 Tango Records, Cebu artists’ materials – their songs & albums – will be promoted and sold for them online via the IMP portal. The catch is that we don’t charge any subscription fees unlike other online music stores and that we provide promotion & marketing assistance for as long the music is under this distribution umbrella. We’ll be giving out music promotion and marketing tips for artists as well. This way the artists will also do their own promotion efforts to ensure sales of their works.

The 22 Tango Records Online Distribution through Indie Music Philippines will officially launch August 1, 2010. All albums under 22 Tango Records’ management will be available. And soon, albums by Sheila & the Insects & Missing Felimon will be available too.

WE WILL RISE AGAIN The Online Premiere

2010-05-15T19:21:00.000-07:00

22 Tango Records assists in the online & local distribution/promotion of Raki Vega’s inspiring new single WE WILL RISE AGAIN. It will soon be released in a Multimedia CD with the song’s original version, alternate version and the music video. Release date will be announced soon.

Here's the OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO.

WE WILL RISE AGAIN

Performed by RAKI VEGA

Written & composed by JUDE GITAMONDOC
Arranged, recorded, mixed & mastered by JAD BANTUG
Recorded at 1032 Recording Studios, Cebu City

Produced by RAKI VEGA & JUDE GITAMONDOC

Local Distribution: 22 Tango Records
Marketing & Promotions: Cattski Espina

Also brought to you by: Clara, Artist KO – Artists & Musicians Marketing Cooperative and the National Youth Commission.

Published under Music R’ Us Music Publishing
All Rights Reserved 2010 Cebu City Philippines

WE WILL RISE AGAIN The Music Video
Produced & Directed by Ruel Antipuesto & Tessa Villegas
All Rights Reserved 2010 Cebu City Philippines

Additional Credits

Hair and Make-up: Ronnie Matudan
Professor Roberto “Obet” del Rosario for the violin and cello arrangement
Marc Hamlet Mercado – Violin
Maria Doris Malaque – Cello

Voices of Praise (VOP)
Paul Salipong for the choral arrangement

Homer Cang of Hagiazo Audio Productions Co.
Michael Acebedo-Lopez
Elvis Somosot of Musikenisis Studio

THE BEAT OF PERLAS’ DRUMS

2010-04-14T04:15:00.000-07:00

22 Tango Records recently assisted in the production of the Official Nick Perlas Campaign Jingle for Cebu. The song is dubbed “Perlas Kitang Tanan”.

Naturally, we made sure it was recorded and mixed at 1032 Recording Studios under the sound engineering expertise of Jad Bantug.

The song was written and composed by a group of Nick Perlas Volunteer artists who grouped themselves together. Traicy Christi Tarongoy, also known as Sai Tapati, a member of Joey Ayala’s Bagong Lumad, helped in the writing and rendered vocals.

Nick Perlas is an expert in associative economics, microfinance, sustainable agriculture, social technologies, and comprehensive sustainable development. He was the consultant to international institutions including the United Nations and its corresponding bodies like Unicef and UNCSD. He’s the author of the International Best Seller SHAPING GLOBALIZATION: Civil Society, Cultural Power and Three-folding. And he is running for President with a platform and a governing scheme that embodies the New Philippines.

For more info; http://cattski.blogspot.com/2010/04/my-president.html

Here’s the audio of Perlas Kitang Tanan:

Perlas Kitang Tanan: Nick Perlas Cebu Jingle by 22TANGORECORDS

Words & Music: Nick Perlas Artist Volunteers
Drums & Bass: Jerome Resuera
Hand Drums: Jordan Jainar
Guitars: Frenyx Tarongoy
Vocals: Tapati

Co-produced by: Cattski Espina
Mixed & Mastered by: Jad Bantug

WE WILL RISE AGAIN!

2010-04-05T19:57:00.000-07:00

22 Tango Records is proud to be assisting the local promotion of Raki Vega’s amazing new single “We Will Rise Again”. The song is written and composed by award-winning songwriter Jude Gitamondoc. The both of them decided to endeavor on this project to inspire hope and restore optimism among calamity-stricken Filipinos who are now on the verge of electing a new set of people to govern the nation. The song throws a lot of encouragement for the country regardless of who wins in the elections. It is a reminder that the future does not lie on the candidates and politicians but in the PEOPLE and the role they play in nation-building.

In Raki’s own words, ‘The title speaks for itself. It was so inspiring that I had to do something about it.’ So, Jude and Raki put together a set of musicians to participate in the production. Of course, the main input of the musical arrangement started with sound engineer and arranger Jad Bantug who put together a mix of melodies that truly support the core message of the song. And the connecting factor of it all was the “voice”, one of the best voices in the nation, that voice we simply call Raki Vega.

At this point, after hearing the track, 22 Tango Records believe that Raki Vega is the true inspirational singer of our time. And we believe that this personal effort of hers to promote her music sends out a message that we do not need traditional record label, network TV culture and artist representation to dictate our musical journey. It tells us that we can work with them but, definitely, NOT for them.

The single also boasts of a music video that is produced and directed by award-winning world-class film makers Ruel Antipuesto and Tessa Villegas. The video has a nationalistic flair and it shows a few snippets of the challenges of our nation as well as victorious moments that all Filipinos should be proud of.

Cebu, the nation, and the whole world should watch out for this wonderful piece of material that’s coming to life soon, in both audio and video formats. It’s something that all of us can truly be proud of.

Yes, we’ve always known, Raki Vega will rise again. Only this time, she’s bringing the real message.

GRASSHOPPERS DEBUT ALBUM - SHAPING UP!

2010-04-04T07:08:00.001-07:00

After the official release of Cattski Ten, 22 Tango Records is now focused on the production of the debut album of Undercover Grasshoppers.

Five songs have been recorded and the tracks are currently being studied and mixed under the care of Sound Engineer and 1032 Studio owner Jad Bantug. The band, who are still writing more songs to make a full album, will soon go back to the studio for another round of recording.

Meanwhile, the other side of the project which is the album packaging is slowly falling into place. At this point, this is the “more” exciting part of the production. Album art and packaging are essential and very important for an artist’s album. It is the visual expression that will represent the artist. It communicates the band’s music and gives them solid identity. 22 Tango is seriously looking into this and we want to make sure we’ll come up with something really good.

We are lucky that an artist/photographer has jumped in to collaborate with us in this creative process. Mr. Ralph Bagares, also known as Apiong, an established photographer and graphic designer in Cebu, will design the album and treat it as his visual expression as well. Of course, his take would be based on how he perceives the band and their music and how he relates to the sentiments expressed in the songs. More importantly, we’ve agreed that the concepts he’ll be developing should be within what the band wants.

We’ve started discussing on some concepts already and we’ll be finalizing them within the week. We are positive we’ll be able to schedule the photo shoot within the month.

We’re very excited about this. We feel we’ve experimented on visual and packaging possibilities with the previous project (Cattski Ten) especially with the collaborative efforts of artist Lucille Umali and Project Box. I think this will still go smoothly with Apiong Bagares this time around.

22 Tango Records is looking forward to releasing another collaborative product!

CONNECT TO ALL THINGS CATTSKI

2010-03-25T04:19:00.001-07:00

22 Tango Records’ main artist Cattski now has an official site. It’s a no frills website and its sole purpose is to establish the artist’s presence on the web. It’s simple yet very functional and it links to where fans and friends can find valuable Cattski content online whether music, blogs, tweets and most of all her online store.

The online store, though, is still under development since another entity will be handling it. The Cattski online store will soon launch care off ICO PLANET. It will carry all albums, shirts and other merchandise. ICO PLANET is actually 22 Tango’s partner in terms of online merchandise distribution.

The Cattski official site (www.cattski.com) also has the iTunes link for the album Sound Minds Speak Volumes. Soon Kismet The Singles and Cattski TEN will be available on iTunes.

DANCING TO THE MUSIC

2010-03-23T21:35:00.000-07:00

And introducing our VIDEO ADVERTISEMENT...

Here’s the point…

22 Tango Record's stand and direction is on collaborations – on the idea that 2 heads are better than one, that it takes two to tango. So, technically, it focuses on the collaboration between artists and the record label, and how the two parties have to work and make it work, TOGETHER!

TEN: THE RELEASES

2010-03-12T06:20:00.001-08:00

22 Tango Records won’t be going for a traditional Cattski release this time around. We’re excited that for this upcoming release (CATTSKI TEN), there will be 2 types of albums. One is the regular album, and the other is the Deluxe Version.

Both the packaging of the albums are designed by Visual Artist LUCILLE UMALI. But it’s only the Deluxe version that carries actual art pieces that Lucille has created while she was being inspired by the music of Cattski. These Cattski-inspired art pieces are laid out together on a 24-page story book of the 10 year musical journey of Cattski.

Although, this is not the first time that 22 Tango has collaborated with Lucille Umali for an album cover (She also made the album cover of Kismet The Singles), this one is quite special. It seems to us that it’s the first time two artists from two different creative disciplines bravely collaborated to create a significant product that is out of the ordinary – it is in fact, the intertwining of music and art. Yup, it really takes two to tango!

To complete this vision, we’ve asked Project Box Cebu along with the crafting expertise of PapersandTschai Journals to produce the packaging making them quality premium items.

The Cattski Ten Deluxe also carries a DVD of the Cattski Live Demos Series.

Both albums will be available during the album launch and live recording event for the celebration of Cattski Tenth Anniversary in Music this March 20th at the Outdoor area of the Outpost.

An exhibit of the Cattski-inspired art works by Lucille Umali will also open that night. Don’t miss this rare event.

TEN IS FLYING SOON!

2010-02-27T20:58:00.001-08:00

We’re gearing up for our first release for the year 2010. The album dubbed TEN is the anniversary compilation of Cattski. It’s composed of her most memorable songs from the first album to the fourth. The music, of course, will undergo regimented studio tweaking and re-mastering to fit current audio standards.

The objective of this release is not only to celebrate and re-visit 10 years worth of music but also to acknowledge Cattski’s contribution to the local music scene. And from a business point of view, this release is really to promote tracks from the previous releases and to get them a strong presence and availability online.

22 Tango joins Artist Ko Artist & Musicians Marketing Cooperative in launching this product through a major outdoor event on the 20th of March at the Outpost. Bands and performers to join in the celebration are SHIELA & THE INSECTS, JUDE GITAMONDOC & Friends, HASTANG, LUI CASTILLO and 22 Tango Artists ZAFRA and UNDERCOVER GRASSHOPPERS.

This musical event is also a live recording. The performances of all bands will be recorded via 1032 Studios Live Mobile Recording, a new service that Jad Bantug, sound engineer and studio owner, hopes to provide for local bands in the near future. 22 Tango Records also hopes to release a Cattski Live Album out of this, too, and we plan to release it within the year 2010.

It’s an exciting year for 22 Tango as the debut albums of Undercover Grasshoppers and Zafra will also be released soon!

FRANTIC AIRWAVES!

2010-02-04T01:58:00.001-08:00

The debut single of Undercover Grasshoppers FRANTIC STATIC will hit radio airwaves! First stop, they’ll visit NU107 Home of NU Rock on Friday (February 5) 6pm. Catch them as they talk to Czarina. On Sunday (February 7) 10pm, you can talk to the guys live over at Y101 for local music show ESKINA with Kaloy Uypuanco behind the mic! And finally on Monday (February 8) 9pm, they’ll be over at Killerbee 92.3 with Kelly!

22 Tango believes “Frantic Static” is such a great great song, we’d hate for you not to get a taste of it, so here.. listen!

Frantic Static - UndercoverGrasshoppers (22TangoRecords) by 22TANGORECORDS

If you truly truly like it, why don’t you give the hoppers a boost and hit up the radio stations to request this song.

Watch out for their upcoming album due for release this year!

For more info, www.reverbnation.com/undercovergrasshoppers or www.reverbnation.com/22tangorecords!

Find great music right here in Cebu!

CEBUANA ON THE RED CARPET

2010-02-04T01:32:00.001-08:00

US-based Co-founder of 22 Tango Records and Guitarist of band Cattski, ANNE MUNTUERTO hit the red carpet at the 52nd Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles last Feb. 01. She went with Brian Larsen, a musician and producer in Baltimore Maryland. Anne plays with him as session guitarist. Larsen is a member of the Grammy voting body.

They played an acoustic show promoting Larsen’s album “Breaking” the night prior to the Grammys at the Room 5 Lounge in LA. Their next stop was the red carpet for the Pre-telecast and the big show itself!

Their arrival at the Grammys was captured by http://www.life.com/ (Life Magazine) - - here are the links

http://www.life.com/image/96302732

http://www.life.com/image/96301859

Anne’s dress is by Cebuano Couturier Cary Santiago.

GRASSHOPPERS DANCE TO THE TANGO!

2010-01-08T20:19:00.000-08:00

It’s OFFICIAL!

The upcoming debut album of the band Undercover Grasshoppers (UG) will be promoted, managed and distributed by 22 Tango Records. The album is due for release middle of this year.

The agreement between Undercover Grasshoppers represented by front woman and chief songwriter Cilee Kuizon and 22 Tango Records was signed last January 5, 2010 at the 2nd level of Handuraw Pizza in Gorordo. Both founders of 22 Tango, Anne Muntuerto & Cattski Espina, were present during the signing. UG members Ongkii Sayson (guitars) & Vince Yap (drums) were also present.

The licensing agreement between ICO Music Publishing (Ian Zafra’s Publishing Company), the official publisher of UG songs and 22 Tango Records was also signed that night. So far, there are two songs published under ICO Music namely "Frantic Static" and "Finding Marvin". Both are two strong singles that will be included in the upcoming album of not less than six songs or thirty five minutes of playing duration.

The core of the agreement is distribution, representation, licensing and management of the Recording and the Songs. The upcoming debut album is one of the three releases 22 Tango Records will have this year and Undercover Grasshoppers is one of the only two Artists that will be under 22 Tango’s care for 2010.

We, the founders of 22 Tango, are excited about this project. We love their music, passion and enthusiasm. It reminds us of how we used to be 9 years ago when we first started out in producing albums for the band Cattski. We are also looking forward to what chief songwriter Cilee Kuizon can come up with her rare exquisite songwriting.

Both our parties agree to perform our obligations in all respects and in good faith.

WE NOW HAVE A NAME!

2009-12-29T22:59:00.000-08:00

But we’ve had this name for the longest time, we just didn’t register it.

Not until yesterday. . .

The Department of Trade & Industry granted us our name! 22 Tango Records is now a certified and registered business name. It is valid until 2014. This is the very first step in making this business legal and we are just happy that we were able to get it before the new year! Thanks to the assistance of one of our label consultants Ian Zafra.

There’s still so much to do and we prefer to do it a step at a time.

We want to express our thanks to our support group - those who participated in the production of Kismet The Singles specially Executive Producer Ysai Perez, The Outpost, Handuraw and ARTIST KO Artist & Musicians Marketing Cooperative.

And to all Cattski supporters who’s been with us through the years!!

Looking forward to an album release this March 2010 and the signing of 2 new artists this January!

THREE GUYS AND A SONG

2009-12-27T06:28:00.000-08:00

22 Tango Records is proud to have been a witness in the signing of the publishing contract for the song MATAHUM NGA CEBU. And it is an honor from our end to be announcing what we think is a historical collaboration.

Matahum Nga Cebu is a song written by Ian Zafra (SATI), Insoy Niñal of Missing Filemon and Award-winning songwriter Jude Gitamondoc. It is published under ICO Music Publishing (Ian’s company), the same publishing company that published the composition Kismet.

What we like about this collaboration is that these three artists all come from different sectors in the music scene and each of them specializes in different musical styles and genres - Ian Zafra with his modern rock, Insoy Niñal with his Bis-rock and Jude with his mainstream pop. With their talent, expertise and drive, they were able to write a masterpiece that celebrates Cebu as a dynamic and vibrant place that is full of promise and potential. This song can definitely touch a soft spot in every Cebuano’s heart. This is our home and it is such a privilege to live here.

They wrote Matahum Nga Cebu way back February (of 2009) and production culminated last April. Jad Bantug of 1032 Studios came into the picture as the Arranger/Co-producer. Here’s the audio, take a listen…

Matahum Nga Cebu by glamazoo

Matahum Nga Cebu will officially be launched through a Sinulog event this January 15 spearheaded by Artist Ko Artists & Musicians Marketing Cooperative. The three composers, who are also founding members of Artist Ko found it a perfect opportunity to release Matahum Nga Cebu at a time when the island of Cebu celebrates its existence through Sinulog.

As for 22 Tango Records, we would sure like to include Matahum Nga Cebu in one of our compilation releases in the near future. For now we acknowledge great collaborations and encourage them, as well, because quite simply, that is what we are all about.

THE FRANTIC RELEASE

2009-12-13T19:00:00.000-08:00

22 Tango Records is proud to assist ICO Music Publishing and Undercover Grasshoppers in releasing FRANTIC STATIC, the debut single of upcoming and very promising band Undercover Grasshoppers.

Frantic Static is a song written and composed by front woman Cilee Kuizon, performed and arranged by the rest of the band Vince Yap on Drums, Warner Sala on Bass and Ongkii Sayson on Second Guitar. Recorded at Backyard Recording Studios. Produced by Ian Zafra.

22 Tango Records hopes to release and distribute a full album in the middle 2010. We believe that the quality of music UG can produce with the guidance of Ian Zafra is consistent to our musical sentiments, taste and standards!

22 Tango Records is looking forward to dancing a great tango with Undercover Grasshoppers!

Take a listen!

Frantic Static by 22TANGORECORDS

MUSIC IS COLLABORATIVE

2009-12-06T01:49:00.000-08:00

We’ll go and abide by this tagline.

…because whether you like it or not, believe it or not, music is collaborative.

Even if you think you can pull off a ‘do-it-all-on-your-own’ production or a one-man-band live performance – music is still collaborative, at least, between you and your listener.

Music is always collaborative. A songwriter collaborates with an arranger, an artist works with a producer, a band cooperates with a business manager, a guitarist plays closely with a bassist, and a bassist with a drummer, a vocalist sings with a back-up singer, so on and so forth. It is simply the natural order of things.

The core founders of 22 Tango Records are musician collaborators who believe in this undeniable truth and who feel a sense of urgency and responsibility of not only collaborating with artists in terms of creating music but also in the spirit of entrepreneurship. 22 Tango Records aims to be the venue where a creative business venture is to take place between artists. With a platform that imposes on creating a solid support system and loyal following, 22 Tango targets the local non-traditional music listeners, as well as the Filipino and non-Filipino niche in the US and eventually the world.

Our mission - - local.
Our vision - - global.

Why? Why not?!

22 Tango Records is an independent record label which served as the ghost vanity record label of our main artist CATTSKI. Now after our 3rd release, Sound Minds Speak Volumes, we the founders, decided to finally come out from the shadows by releasing our first record with our main artist CATTSKI as a collaborator while we introduce our new artist ZAFRA. The collaboration, Kismet The Singles, has been released November 2009.

Slowly, we are opening our arms to embrace other artists to be under our care in the fields of album production, promotion, distribution, merchandising, and creative business management. 22 Tango Records also works closely with music publishing company ICO Music, the exclusive publisher who will catalogue our artists’ creative material.

22 Tango Records hopes to sign artists who express a “particular” interest in the basic art of songwriting, with the highest regard to the marriage of words and music in its basic form. We have a soft spot for those who can make a perfect tango of lyrics and melody with a strong sense of substance and stimulating messages. With this as a necessary dynamic, the technicalities in arrangement and audio production will then be considered.

We believe those are the necessary ingredients – basic songwriting and modern studio production – to make a really good material at this age of accessible digital music.

Like we always say, it takes two to tango.

We at 22 Tango Records, wish to collaborate with artists who share with us the same musical sentiments and standards. Luckily, we see a lot of those around. And so, we go to work.

Consider this a public announcement.

*from the founders.