Martin David
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Growing up, I remember staying at home on a Saturday afternoon listing down the hist from 40 to 1 via RTs Top 40. Back then, the net was non-existent and this was the only way you could really be in touch with American Mainstream. Back then, America’s current hits would only hit the Phils a month or two after. I prided myself for having the coolest tunes. Friends would take a gander at my CD albums and return it, not knowing a single artist, only to find themselves digging the same tunes 2-3 months after. I must say, those afternoons paid off real well.
I was in high school (around ‘96) when groups such as Incognito (Beneath the Surface), Workshy (Love is the Place to Be) and the Brand New Heavies (Never Stop, Stay this Way) hit Mainstream Manila. While others were digging on Side A/True Faith or Bone Thugs n’ Harmony/Snoop/Dre/2Pac, I was into the whole acid jazz scene. Don’t get me wrong, I loved them cats too (practically grew up on the whole East/West ish), but Acid Jazz was something that really got my wheels turning.
Fast forward to 2010. It’s been about 15 years after and I finally got the chance to experience one of my favorite groups live. BNH was scheduled to perform with a host of other jazz artists for the Philippine International Jazz Fest 2010. I needed the hook up to see them up close. Last night was the night! The Brand New Heavies brought the ish with all the hits they played. I would’ve wanted them to play more of their funk set from the early 90s than the mainstream stuff. But I’m not hating. They played all the good stuff- People Get Ready, Never Stop, Stay This Way, Dream Come True, Dream on Dreamer, Midnight at the Oasis, Brother/Sister, World Keeps Spinning, Sometimes, Have a Good Time, Ride in the Sky, BNH, Spend Some Time, You Are the Universe, and Let’s Do It Again (did I miss anything?). It was also great to see them interact with the patrons throughout the show. They even got the kids to dance on stage and even strum on their guitars! It was truly a great musical experience. It was a treat and a huge chunk of Manila missed out on this. If you do chance upon their album somewhere, try it out. This is real music. Lady Gaga and the Backstreet Boys (who also had their concert the same night) got nothing on BNH.
Much love to Jomar/Angge of the US Embassy for hookin’ us up with the tickets. You guys rock!
Well, all I gotta say is that I’ve got some pretty good stuff coming your way in the next few weeks folks. But for now, I just wanted to touch on last weekend’s All-Star extravaganza.
Obviously I didn’t make the trip. But from tweets, stories, emails and what I saw at the Cowboys Stadium, it’s true. In Texas, everything is Bigger. Much Bigger. It would’ve been great to be one of the 108,713 fans watching. It would’ve been great to catch the game in the nosebleeds– the biggest HD screen in the world would’ve been an awesome alternative (the friggin’ screen’s bigger than the whole court!). It would’ve been great to hang with MJ (still haven’t had the opportunity). It would’ve been great to experience snow in the Lone Star State (a first and worst in 20 years in Texas).
Ballers played. Sneakers dropped. Cristal popped. oh yeah, and the Dunk Contest flopped. But despite all that, cats came out. It was a great weekend. Now for the serious stuff. Trade deadline is upon us and some teams are shifting gears- either for the 2010 trophy or for next season. Antawn’s now a Cav…Camby man tests his health in Oregon…and Amar’e’ s still lookin’ for team that’ll take him… Oh yeah, let’s not forget T-Mac. He just wants to play. Chicago perhaps? How about NYC?…Speaking of breaking up Warriors West,forgot to mention Caron’s free pass out of DC aka Hell on Earth. In less than a week, The Big Three has been replaced with the big WTF? Josh Howard, Al Thornton and Zydrunas? I dunno, but Gil must be kicking himself by now. Now’s the time to whip out your gun Gil… After winnning this 3rd Dunk Contest, Nate’s going to Beantown for Eddie House. Must suck to be Eddie House. Or even Steve Blake. But in any case, it’ll all work out. The real winner here are us fans. We’ll still love the game. Some of us are now boarding the Cav train by now. I’m sticking to my Wizards (yes, we will win the championship in 2020).
Well, at least we got stuff to look forward to these days. The playoffs is in 2 months. At the end of this ordeal, I expect to book a ticket to watch LeBron and Kobe go at it in June. Dwight ruined it last year, but at least LeBron’s got no excuses having Shaq and ‘Tawn to back him up against the Mamba, Pau and RonRon. Truly, the NBA is where amazing happens.
Catch the NBA on Basketball TV daily and on Solar TV every Saturday (2 games til the end of the season), Sunday and Monday.
The sneaker/fashion industry lost another of its own just the other day. I’m still in shock. I loved his collab with PUMA. They’re pricey, but you get good quality with his joints. Anyhow, here’s PUMA’s official statement regarding the matter:
PUMA STATEMENT:
PUMA is aggrieved to learn of the passing of PUMA’s long-time friend and partner, fashion designer Alexander McQueen. The Alexander McQueen PUMA collaboration began in 2006 and has been a source of tremendous pride for our brand. His mark on the fashion world is considerable and his creative vision will be sorely missed. We extend our condolences to the McQueen family during this difficult time.
Jochen Zeitz, Chairman and CEO, PUMA AG
It’s February once again and my did January breeze by so quickly!February’s been known to be Happy Hearts’ Month (which I am not fond of). But what I look forward to this cheesy month is the NBA’s Midseason Classic, the NBA All-Star Weekend. On it’s 59th year, the NBA brings together some of the best basketball players to participate in a weekend full of fun, excitement, and ofcourse basketball.
I’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of this wonderful weekend a couple of times before. I still remember vividly the first time I went to the All-Stars. It was in Denver and the cold nor the altitude bothered me one bit! I was like a kid in the candy store, wanting to try every single event at Jam Session, wanting to take a pic of all the players/celebs within the vicinity. Working for the network that brings the NBA has its perks. Our broadcast seats were right smack at the center- a row behind Charles, Kenny and EJ, and a few seats away from David Stern. I tells ya, it was a surreal experience.
That was the first All-Star game of LeBron and DWade, AI showing the world he still mattered, the Birdman flubbed almost all his dunk attempts, and a bagful of other memories. This year, the weekend will be hosted by Mark Cuban and the Mavs in Dallas. Unfortunately, I won’t make the trip this time around. It’s cool (who am I kidding, it sucks!), but it’s always great to have others experience the wonder that is the All-Star Weekend. What’s special about this year is that they are playing at the brand-spanking new Coliseum of the Cowboys (yes, the same venue where Pacman will face Clottey a month from now). We can still enjoy All-Star action from our homes as Solar TV and Basketball TV broadcast the weekend’s events.
Solar TV will only air the main events per day, while BTV will have all-access coverage of the whole weekend. Basketball TV gets exclusive coverage of the day’s events from Media Availablity, Team Practices (where Shaq breakdanced his ass off), HOF announcements, HORSE, d-League All-Star Game and many others. BTV’s All-Star coverage starts Saturday, February 13 at 130am onwards.
If you want to play like the All-Stars, BTV also has its annual event, the All-Star Festival. This year, the event will be at the MOA Music Hall. From 11 onwards, partake in all the All-Star Type events (Shooting Stars, 3-Point Shootout, Slam Dunk and Skills Challenge) with other basketball fans. PBA Players will also make an appearance to make this event a memorable one. The All-Star Festival will be on the 14th.
For the main events, here’s the TV schedule:
February 13, Saturday- Rookie Challenge
1pm Solar TV (delayed)
10am BTV (live)
February 14, Sunday- All-Star Saturday Night
9am Solar TV/BTV (live)
February 15, Monday- All-Star Game
9am Solar TV/BTV (live)
For BTV’s All-Access All-Star coverage, log on to www.btv.com.ph or check back here in a couple of days before the event.