By Marjorie Gorospe

WHEN passion for music is entirely pure, it becomes your life: This statement describes Tal Kravitz’ dedication to music.

He got into music when he was four years old.

His passion and mastery of ethnic including Israeli music is enriched by his travels to different parts of the world. He has been to Africa, Papua New Guinea and other countries which have musical instruments and traditions that are in danger of extinction.

They say a musician will never run out of inspiration. Kravitz can play and entertain you with almost anything he get his hands on. Kravitz plays piano, harp, guitar, a variety of bagpipes, African percussion instruments, among others. His favorite is the harp.

Aside from collecting various instruments, Kravitz also studies the ethnic languages in countries where he goes.

“It is connected with the soul of the music,” Kravitz says, as he plays “Sa Ugoy ng Duyan,” which he learned through the Internet.

Years of traveling, Kravitz has learned more than music.

“It is the stories of the people I encounter in my musical journey that inspires me,” he says. His exposure to different cultures has made him value life more.

Kravitz says he won’t stop learning about music, despite his stature today. He says he will continue doing this until the end of his days.

As I watched him perform before Israeli dignitaries, it was clear that this passion emanates from his music. If I were to define passion for music, it will be called “Tal Kravitz.”

By Clarence Yu

The Rolling Stones guitarist rumored to release an album of jazz and easy listening standards.

HELL has just frozen over. The World’s most elegantly wasted human being, Keith Richards, is rumored to release an album of “soft music” containing standards by Hoagy Carmicheal, Fats Domino, Andy Williams, Judy Garland and Elvis Presley.

The never before released tracks, recorded during various phases of his storied 40-odd year career, can be found on this music blog.

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By Marjorie Gorospe

Filipino indie rock group Menaya has some news.

Having had its share of radio airplay, Menaya’s second album ominously titled, “The Worst News,” is by far delivering good news for the group.

One of their songs “Safer” has topped the charts of NU Rock 107 for five weeks, while another song “Favorite Sin” is climbing, according to Brian Sombero, vocalist of the group. You can listen to theirs songs from their MySpace profile or view a music video of “Safe” on YouTube.

Menaya is composed of Brian Sombero on the guitar and vocals, Hepe Lavador on Drums, Mike Bacalzo in guitars and Gil Olivar on Bass.

The group’s major influences include Mafia, Myriads and The Stills, which are foreign acts playing different genres of indie, post-punk, alternative to heavy metal music, depending on your taste.

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Guns ‘N Roses is learning. With its much-delayed album (still under the auspices of frontman Axl Rose) set to launch several hours from now in the US, it is giving people a taste of its music online. Based on what has been posted on MySpace, it is clear that the American hard rock band that gave us “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” “Welcome to the Jungle,” “Paradise City,” and “Mr. Brownstone” is a different band.

Streaming some of its songs on its official MySpace account, Guns ‘N Roses music is less edgy but is more refined than “Appetite for Destruction.” Of course, there are still traces of the old GNR sound in the “Street of Dreams,” a definite love song that brings back memories of “November Rain.” Rose’s signature growl remains present, as well as the “oohs” and distinctive high-note wails that you can pick out even if he’s singing cover songs.

“Chinese Democracy,” however, is clearly a departure from the shadows of the original GNR sound.

Considering this album was reportedly started in 1999, the Slash and Izzy Stradlin’s signature guitar riffs and nasty rock and roll ad-libs are gone. Yes, the guitar work in this album is still impressive, but it just feels too manicured.

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Ever since the days of USA for Africa and Band Aid, music has become a vehicle for various causes.

In the Philippines, MTV has been holding a music summit mainly geared towards protecting young people from the risk of acquiring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

“Seemingly, there is a gap in bridging the message to the intended audience like the young people. The best way to reach them is through media and MTV,” says Dr. Jose Gerard Belimac, manager of AIDS & STI Prevention and Control Program of the Department of Health (DOH).

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