Hemp Republic has finished work on their upcoming first full-length effort which is entitled "Welcome to Hemp Republic". The band's first single "Sabihin Mo" is now out on radio so fell free to request it to your favorite DJ's especially on JAM 88.3 and NU 107!. The album contains 10 songs, plus an instrumental version of "Fireflies" and a house remix of "Move It" by SILVERFILTER. Songs included are Hey Body Rock, Himig ng Pag-Ibig, Feel Alright, Doncha Woncha, Soma Holiday, and Reggae Fiesta. Sabihin Mo, a reggae-pop upbeat number; Elbi Nights, a tribute to a place where the band first got together; Move It, a hard dancehall take; and the mellow reggae-dancehall treat Fireflies are among the new additions to the bands original song line up.
From top left, clockwise: Bunny Gyal on da mic; Vince Chacon of Milagros Dancehall Collective plays percussions on the album; Ton2 on da guitar; Niko Dritsopolos, the new bassman; Eric Perlas, album engineer; da PC monitor.
Independently produced with their erstwhile manager Caio Cadiz staying on the production side, the guys had a lot more freedom in creating the sound that they truly like, not sticking to the confines of pure reggae. They managed to combine most of each individual's musical influences into the recording. They recorded the album in Tower of Doom Studios in UP Village, with Eric Perlas on the board, which helped create the outstanding sound quality production of this album.
The album was launched on the 26th of April, in XAYMACA BAR in Timog Avenue. T-shirts, stickers and advanced copies of the album were sold on this night! It is now available in almost all TOWER RECORDS outlets (except Shangri La and Pampanga), and at the following stores...
Sarabia Optical
UP Shopping Center, UP Diliman
The Bukswagen Experience
2nd Floor, Circle-C Mall, Congressional Avenue, QC
iLOVEyou Store
2nd Floor, Cafe Saguijo, Guijo St., Makati
The Chunky Far Flung Gallery
#38 Marikina Shoe Expo, Araneta Center, Cubao (beside old C.O.D.)
Coffee Blends
Lopez Avenue, Los Banos, Laguna near Isis Cafe
Simply Blue Internet Shop
Mt Halcon St. Los Banos Subd., Los Banos, Laguna (found at the complex on the right after entering Umali Subdivision frrom Agapita)
From top: Al Sese on da drums, Mabs on da bass, Ton ton guiding Al on da mic, Mags and Ton2--da two guitarists, and da producer himself.
