News: Articles+Reviews
November 19, 2008
"Proudly Brown Pinay" from Karla Maquiling with Pinoycentric
Los Angeles-based Pinoy vocalist Charmaine Clamor is putting the Philippines on the world jazz map with jazzipino, a hybrid sound that combines the swing of American jazz with Pinoy soul.
With her evocative and sensuous voice, Charmaine has been compared to legendary jazz figures like Sarah Vaughan and Cassandra Wilson, and this talented Filipina shows that she deserves every recognition. She’s made the top 5 on JazzWeek’s world (#2) and traditional jazz (#5) radio charts simultaneously–a rare feat–and was named one of the 100 Most Influential Filipino Women in the United States. Critics predict that her recently launched My Harana: A Filipino Serenade will most likely head toward the charts again.
In this interview, Charmaine–who is also a physical therapist and a strong advocate for the environment–talks about her Pinoy roots (she hails from Zambales) and coming to terms with being brown and Pinoy and loving it.
November 16, 2008
"Recommended Listening: Uniquely New Music" from Gordon Murray with Radio & Records
The album's closing song, "Labis" ("Too Much"), is sung in English, but I think you'll barely notice the difference; that is how good she is at communicating emotion through music. If you're up for a world-jazz cultural and educational seduction, "My Harana" is a must-have. Read Full Article
November 06, 2008
"Charmaine Clamor's 'Jazzipino' Grooves" from Brick Wahl with LA WEEKLY
The instrumentation is spare — guitars (and such), bass, Filipino percussion — her singing is evocative, sensual. The duet with vocalist Mon David is almost spooky. Wonderful stuff — even the non-pinays dig it. The official release is at Catalina Bar and Grill on Sunday, a room she owns whenever she’s there. Read Full Article
October 21, 2008
"Another First" from Melody Breyer Grell with Cabaret Exchange
Clamor's voice is sensual, sometimes husky, other times pure. Although I am not familiar with the languages sung, her diction is crisp and I would imagine it serving her intentions. She sings in various languages and concludes with an original composition in English. As noted previously, while a good deal of the songs hearken to Spain, there are a few pieces that are more "exotic" to western ears, such as cut # 6, sung in Tagalog with the English title translation being “Loving You—Adoring You.” Read Full Article