ZCENTIDO is currently making waves online via Spotify and through various gigs, as well as radio guesting with its newly released album “Ikaw, Ako, Tayo.”
The band has a vision of creating an “old school-to-new school” type of ska music that will cater to every kind of audience around the world.
The seven-member band is composed of Richard P. Cruz,who is the bandleader, drummer and saxophonist from UP Diliman Conservatory of Music. He used to be sax player for Put3ska (of Manila Girl fame) and drummer of indie recording artist Twisted Halo. With him is MJ Valiente-Cruzas lead vocalist.
Jamming with the husband-and-wife team are Patrick Blanco (trumpets, from Banda 2 Kabataan of Angono, Rizal), Jerico Garcia (trombone, from Banda 4 Malabon City—Eat Bulaga’s grand champion for “Banda Rito”), Gary Ruperto Ragay III (bass, formerly of Hagibis), Christoph Alday (guitars), and Lhord Joseph Jamorol (keyboards).
The group’s sound is recognizable, with intensely catchy soulful and melodic grooves, coupled with skanking moves, distinctive instrumentals, raw energy, as well as a forward-driving brass section and captivating entertainment, all thrown into the mix.
Zcentido wants to share their original OPM compositions, including their carrier single “Ikaw Ako Tayo,” from the album of the same title, which was composed and arranged by Richard himself. The release includes the songs Your Smile (music and lyrics by MJ) “Pag-Asa,” Dream, “Puso’t Tadhana,” “Ulan,” and Underneath The Big Oak Tree. Nikki Silvestre Cunanan, who happens to be one of the best sound engineers in the Philippines, recorded all the songs.
Cruz said, “It’s time to go back to OPM. We love Filipino music. It’s full of emotion. Aside from our very own compositions, we also revive OPM songs. First on our list is ‘Mamang Sorbetero.’”
He added, “Our carrier single, ‘Ikaw, Ako, Tayo,’ is our group’s story of friendship. We really love it. We enjoy being together, and we hope to influence our countrymen, including the millennials.”
Zcentido’s name came from the Spanish word “sentido,” which means “sense.” To elaborate Zcentido’s good sense in music, the band changed the letter “S” to “Z,” which stands for “Zhen,” MJ’s nickname; while “C” is for “Chard,” or “Richard,” who built the group.
The band happens to be a 2018 Gawad Musika awardee as “Outstanding Ska Jazz Band” at the 38th People’s Choice Awards, jointly with the “Global Prize Awards” in March 17. Recently they were recognized “Outstanding Ska Band” by the Global Excellence Awards Council on August 25.
Zcentido’s repertoire include s60s, 70s, 80s and 90s hits. The band regularly plays in Pagcor/Casino Filipino, Avids Restobar in Metrowalk, Tiendesitas in Pasig City, and also in several hotels around Metro Manila. The group is excited for the coming Philska Music Festival on December 1 at the Greenfield District in Mandaluyong City, where they will be performing.
Follow Zcentido and their gigs through their official Facebook account.
Image credits: John Carlo Medina