Thor scratches seven-year itch two years after ‘The Voice PH’
By his calculation, soul singer Thor has spent the last seven years of his career out of the spotlight. By that he meant he hasn't put out one major release since his “Soul Obsessions” album in 2007, which featured a stellar cast of artists who recorded duets with him.
But he did have his biggest break two years ago when he became a semi-finalist during season 1 of the highly popular TV spectacle “The Voice of the Philippines.”
Thus, “Master of Soul,” his comeback album, becomes all the more special to him.
Back-up singer
“Akala ko wala na talaga at kuntento na po ako sa pagiging back-up singer. Hindi ko po alam kung anong nakita sa akin ng Cornerstone,” he shared when the album launched at the Music Hall in Metrowalk, Ortigas.
In particular, he was referring to Erickson Raymundo, head of the talent management group Cornerstone—thanking him in the album credits for “believing in me.”
Erickson is the same starmaker who transformed Richard Poon into a suit-wearing crooner of standards, taking the singer out of his casualwear and the comfortable rut of being part of a band.
Of originals and covers
Thor's album, produced by Cornerstone Music and distributed by Star Music, employed a topnotch crew of songwriters for its originals, namely Jungee Marcelo, Soc Villanueva, Jonathan Manalo and Francis Salazar.
A video of the Manalo-penned “Paano Ko Sasabihin” has also been produced.
The revivals showcase what Thor does best: interpreting R&B classics like James Ingram's “There's No Easy Way to Break Somebody's Heart,” and Whitney Houston's “I Have Nothing.”
Fist four-chair turner
People may recall that it was his version of the tune from the Kevin Costner-Whitney Houston starrer “The Bodyguard” that made him the first four-chair turner during his stint with “The Voice.”
He made it into the Top 8.
For all who helped him come this far, he has a short and sweet message: “”My utmost gratitude to all of them. They made this album special.”
apl of the eye
While his duets album in the past had an all-star cast on board, the launch of “The Master of Soul” boasted an even more stellar guest list.
Present to cheer him on were singers Christian Bautista and Erik Santos, FM radio legend Joe D' Mango (whom he affectionately calls Ninong), Slapshock vocalist Jamir Garcia, singer Liezel Garcia, his mates at Team APL, and apl.de.ap himself who at one point was taking a video of Thor singing some high notes.
“Si coach apl ang isa sa pinaka-humble na tao na nakilala ko,” Thor said. “Maaakbayan niyo po siya at hindi ka maiilang kahit you know that he's from Black Eyed Peas.”
Thor opened his set with his interpretation of Pharrell Williams hit “Happy.” He couldn't resist doing duets as always, singing songs with Moira and Liezel. And in the album, he partners with Radha on the song “I Finally Found Someone.”
