Music collaborations often bring together artists from different backgrounds, but few span generations, continents, and musical traditions as seamlessly as Coco Okayo. The upcoming album from British duo Thandii and Filipino drumming icon Jun Regalado blends the soulful grooves of 1970s Manila Sound with contemporary British art-pop, creating a project rooted in both heritage and experimentation.
Set for release on September 11, Coco Okayo will be available on Spotify and other streaming platforms, with vinyl and digital editions also offered through Bandcamp.
Why is Coco Okayo significant?
The album is more than an international collaboration. It reflects how artists are using music to reconnect with cultural identity while creating something entirely new.
For London-based duo Thandii, composed of Graham Godfrey and Jess Berry, the project became an opportunity to explore Godfrey's Filipino heritage. Working with Sama Sama Records founder Norsicaa, the pair traveled to Manila to record with Jun Regalado, one of the Philippines' most respected session drummers.
The collaboration introduces a fresh interpretation of Manila Sound by combining it with influences from soul, disco, post-punk, trip-hop, and experimental pop.
Who is Jun Regalado?
Jun Regalado is widely regarded as one of the Philippines' most prolific recording drummers.
Throughout his career, he has performed on countless recordings that helped define Original Pilipino Music (OPM) during the 1970s and 1980s. His contributions have earned him several honors, including:
- KATHA Outstanding Musician Award (1998)
- ALIW Lifetime Achievement Award (2018)
- Pakil's Pride Award at the 2024 Laguna Jazz Festival
His influence has also reached international audiences. In 2024, his track "Pinoy Funk" was included in Soundway Records' compilation Ayo Ke Disco, introducing classic Filipino funk to a new generation of listeners.
Reflecting on the collaboration, Regalado described Coco Okayo as unlike any recording session he had experienced during decades in the Philippine music industry and noted that it marked his first full album collaboration with artists outside his longtime musical circle.
A recording process inspired by Manila's musical past
Rather than simply borrowing musical influences, Thandii immersed themselves in the environment where Manila Sound first flourished.
The album was recorded in a Manila studio equipped with vintage recording equipment, including classic preamps, compressors, and instruments that recreated the warm analog tones associated with the era.
The duo said the experience felt like stepping into a time capsule, allowing the recording process itself to become part of the album's identity.
Jess Berry also found creative freedom throughout the sessions, incorporating expressive flute melodies alongside the duo's signature blend of soulful vocals and experimental arrangements.
What is Manila Sound?
Manila Sound is a genre of Filipino popular music that emerged during the 1970s. It combines elements of disco, funk, jazz, pop, and soul with catchy melodies and lyrics that often mixed English and Filipino.
Artists associated with Manila Sound helped shape the evolution of modern OPM and influenced generations of Filipino musicians through its upbeat rhythms and accessible songwriting.
Rather than recreating the genre, Coco Okayo reimagines its spirit for contemporary audiences.
Introducing "MAR-NILA"
Instead of describing their music using existing labels, Thandii has coined the term MAR-NILA.
The name reflects the project's blend of:
- Manila Sound and Filipino musical traditions
- British soul and art-pop
- Post-punk rhythms
- Disco-funk grooves
- Experimental songwriting
The result is an album that embraces cultural exchange without being confined to one musical category.
Collaborations like Coco Okayo illustrate how music continues to evolve through shared cultural experiences rather than geographic boundaries.
For Filipino audiences, the album also highlights the enduring influence of veteran musicians like Jun Regalado, whose decades of work continue to inspire artists both locally and abroad.
At the same time, it demonstrates how members of the Filipino diaspora are finding new ways to reconnect with their heritage through creative projects that celebrate, reinterpret, and preserve Filipino musical traditions.
Regalado described the project as a celebration of Filipino musicianship on the international stage, highlighting its significance beyond the album itself.
Where can listeners hear Coco Okayo?
Coco Okayo will be released on September 11 through Spotify and other major streaming services. Fans can also pre-order the vinyl and digital editions through Bandcamp ahead of the official release.
Conclusion
Coco Okayo is not simply another cross-border music collaboration. By bringing together Thandii's contemporary art-pop sensibilities and Jun Regalado's decades of experience in Manila Sound, the album creates a dialogue between generations and cultures.
Its fusion of Filipino musical heritage with modern British influences offers listeners something both familiar and unexpected, proving that tradition can continue to evolve through meaningful artistic partnerships.
