ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA – Manny Mijares of Upscale Records & Talent Management recently welcomed Philippines-based teen singer Rachel Razon to Southern California for a music demo collaboration. Upscale Records is strongly affiliated with dignitaries in the American music industry, ranging from Geffen/Interscope Records to JRecords and 19th Entertainment.

Mr. Mijares, recognized not only for his accomplishment as an executive of Upscale Records but for being on the Grammy Board and part of Recording Academy, brought in highly noted professionals to team up for Rachel’s project.  Among the team included Katie Morris (singer/songwriter who just finished writing and touring with the Pussycat Dolls and Lady GaGa), Wes Geer (songwriter/producer/guitarist formerly with Jive Records and whose music has been featured in numerous soundtracks for film and TV), and Steph Jones (R&B singer/songwriter/former Ford Model known for his collaborations with Chingy and Ludacris while under Def Jam Records, and currently out with his solo album “Mr. Ordinary”).

NEW YORK– On March 3, U2 released their much-awaited album since 2004’s How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb.
The new album, No Line on the Horizon, was intended to be an experimental album, because of the band’s collaboration with musical innovators Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois, and their location recording sessions in exotic Morocco. However, after many passes, one could determine that it is not. Instead, the new album could be volume two of their previous one and volume three of their second to the last one  ad infinitum.
By the middle of the record, The Edge’s riffs would have sounded familiar already, of course it would, after all, it is the same pair of hands that built the sound. But for the band to claim that this new record departs from their ‘usual’ sound is a mistake. It is the same U2 after all these years.
But like other U2 releases, this one would definitely sell big and perhaps even get a Grammy.

Track List:
1.     "No Line on the Horizon"       
2.     "Magnificent"       
3.     "Moment of Surrender"       
4.     "Unknown Caller"       
5.     "I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight"       
6.     "Get on Your Boots"       
7.     "Stand Up Comedy"       
8.     "Fez – Being Born"       
9.     "White as Snow"       
10.     "Breathe"       
11.     "Cedars of Lebanon"

The verdict: Three and a half stars out of Five (3.5) – A good record with false claims.