You must have a piece of Karl Roy’s last album

Pinoy rock young blood Karl Roy was 43 when he passed away last March. He left behind the hit "Yugyugan Na" with band P. O. T., two albums with Kapatid, and the memory of live performances that have become the stuff of legend. At the time of his death, he was also on the verge of releasing a solo album.

That album, "Have a Piece of This," is now out.

Karl's manager Pat Lunar told Yahoo! Philippines OMG! that Karl had already completed recording eight songs when he died. With the help of Karl's session band—Shaun Hilario on drums, Jaye Mar Tapia and Jai Hanopol on guitars and RJ Sy on bass—she put the finishing touches to the rough mixes and added two new tracks including a reggae contribution from Karl's friend Joe of Malaysia's Pure Vibracion.

Here's how the album holds up.

ACTIVE ROCKERS. "Pekwa" opens the album on a furious note. Karl and the band tear through the song, punking the funk and funking the punk for what it's worth. Lightweight lyrics deliver a volatile immediacy in a three-way pile-drive of 70s funk, 80s hardcore and 90s heavy metal. It's the template that glues the album together.

"Lakbay Diwa starts with a funky chicken scratch then suddenly sprints to a careening Rage Against The Machine-like fury. Karl's vocals go from laconic sing-song to speed rapping as the beat and rhythm race against time.

The standout "Sexy Thang" is glam funk, recalling the sleaze and grime of Aerosmith's "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)." Its breakdown at the mid section dips the tune in a "Balong Malalim"-like, psychedelic free-for-all.

"Kosa" is a bluesy funk jam with Pepe Smith soundtracked by a loop of Stevie Wonder's "Superstition" while "19" is a tender duet with Karl's daughter Ariana.

FLATLINERS. None. If the occasional slump into ballads flares your nostrils, treat the occasional slide into radio-friendly music as the calm before the storm, the event horizon before the black hole gobbles you up. See you on the other side.

THE VERDICT: You would want to have a piece of this, if only to keep the memory alive and in honor of Karl Roy who has inspired and continue to inspire a generation of funk rockers.