Arbie Won, AKA The Beatraveler, is a pioneer of Metro Manila's hip-hop movement. Since 1993, the DJ and beatmaker has collaborated with most local MCs. Always looking for a sample to add to his boom bap beats and he has become a gold digger. He created Uprising Records Philippines to release his many projects and, recently, he just re-released a second 7-inch on Found it Records. As tireless vinyl enthusiast, he is also the owner of the two Treskul record stores and the man behind Kagatan 33 1/3 Weekend Record Fair. The vinyl nerd shares his seven favorite records from his collection of rare Pinoy groove in this special edition.

Ed Corpuz / Are You There Vs. Dance With Me 7’’ ( Polydor)

Rare pinoy groove within AOR territory (AOR is an ambiguous abbreviation, for both "Album Oriented Rock" and "Adult Oriented Rock"…).  Only released on 7-inch, and most surviving copies were DJ radio promo copies. Ed Corpuz released a couple of tunes in the early  80s, but still a mystery to most! « Dance With Me » is running 5:40 minutes and is my favorite track.

Tito Sotto / Shadow of the dragon (Topaz Film Productions - 1973)

Rare Pinoy Brownploitation on 7-inch. Funky for the Bboys and a rare one. Never seen the movie but it was one of those Brownploitation movie of 70s that Quentin Tarantino would dig. Founder of VST, Tito Sotto is also a famous actor, sportsman and politician with a career that took him to become a Filipino senator. He produced a lot of blaxploitation soundtracks as well and they were released in the 70s.

Bong Peñera / Batucada Sa Kalesa Lp (Sony CBS Sony - 1977)

My favorite Pinoy jazz album! This one was recently reissued, a holy grail among Pinoy jazz collectors. An LP with a Brazilian vibes by a multi-faceted musician, pianist, arranger and composer. 

Joe Cruz & The Cruzettes / Black Widow Lp ( Villar – 1972)

A lot of diggers big up the love song track call « Nena » by this Pinoy bossa latin jazz group, but I prefer this funky instrumental jam “Black Widow”. Also, available on double sider “Help Somebody” versus “Black Widow”, this 7-inch is always set the mood for my Pinoy groove sets.

Marvic / Sexy Lady Vs. Nasa Palad Mo 7’’ (Sunshine – 1979)

Another one that never leaves my DJ box! This sound, a midtempo disco groover is very popular now as well. A very rare cut from the lead vocalist of the VST and Co band. A song from the « Rock Baby, Rock It » original soundtrack.

Blackbuster / Blackbuster LP (Vicor International – 1975)

Not  super rare because it was released in Japan, Germany, Australia & New Zealand as well, but a very good Pinoy disco funk with crunchy breaks on the intro! Blackbuster is actually The Ramrods group, a pioneering 60s combo/beat group from the Philippines led by Orly Ilacad. The Philippine press is hard to find, but the one to get is the Japan press with the cool artwork and more fidelity sound!

Ray An Fuentes / I’m Coming Out LP (Wea – 1983)

80s Pinoy boogie grail on LP. Ten years ago, it was not that rare until the French boogie collectors discovered it and hyped up the price. Used to see this at the thrift shops for $10 but now impossible to find. And yes, Rayan Fuentes still performs from time to time, but he is now Pastor based in Canada.

Text by DJ Arbie Won / Photo header: Arbie & el Coshmar by Ants Cendana.