The Mellow Dees: My Journey with Them

By Philippe Recto

11/19/2023

The Mellow Dees. A band made up of veterans in the music industry, have finally released their debut album “Walls Might Melt”. They know this dream. They know this music world. They have seen it all. The highs and lows, and all the angels and devils in the industry. After climbing mountains individually for decades, they are here. 

As a witness to the second half of the process of this album, I can attest to the blood, sweat, and tears this band put in to get to this wonderful successful release. I was there, playing bass as their hired sessionist for their live shows and their studio recording work. I saw the passion that Melody Del Mundo, Wolf Gemora, and Nievera put in, and the need for them to get this project rolling. As a musician for 29 years, I can say that this group had all the elements to be something more than special. And as a pretty big fly on the wall, I felt and continue to feel the glorious hardwork and warmth of a relatable album.

It was April 2022 that Wolf contacted me to session for them as they recently parted ways with their previous bassist, the talented Buwi Meneses. Now, at this point, I was retired from music for 5 years in. I left the industry to pursue a career in IT and felt it was time to let it go. But this is Wolf Gemora calling. This man who has been rocking the airwaves and stadiums in the Philippines since the 90’s has just selected me. Out of all the bassists he probably knows, he calls me. And as a fan of Wolfgang and more importantly as a friend, it was pretty hard to say ‘No’. 

He sends me the raw tracks that he and Melody put together. While I was practicing and writing out my bass lines, I was absorbed into the songs. Usually it would be the other way around, y’know? A ‘person’ absorbs the music. But I started slipping into the song. My imagination ran wild with every story of Melody’s lyrics. Her choices of chords she uses, and the rhythm and arrangements she was strumming seemed like it was being conducted by Wolf through the movements of his drum performance. All while Nievera added the atmosphere for everyone to entrancingly dance to. More amazingly, is that these were primarily ‘scratch’ tracks. 

Upon their agreement that I could pull off the job, I was thrusted into the live shows. Mind you, I was already familiar with the songs, and styles. You would think it would be no surprise to me of their live performance as I’ve played with many bands before this. But I still was. If I could sum it up in two words what I witnessed from my point of view, pure passion. Pure, pure passion. You had to move. You had to watch. You had to listen. Even when we performed in the Wishbus, we all made sure that the songs were not just performed, but felt. That every note was expressed with truthful “Emotional Content” (a term coined by the great philosopher, Bruce Lee). When the song was about sensuality, we felt sensual. When the song was about longing, we were longing. When the song was about love, we felt love. You cannot ask any more from an artist but to tell the truth through their spirited passion.

It was no different when it came to the production of the album. I worked in harmony with Wolf in further dialing in the basslines to prepare for the studio work. We were careful. Take after take we discussed, we measured, and we listened. It was like a sculpture. Although I did not work with Melody or Nievera in the studio, I heard the same careful, measured, and loved performance of both. Along with all the decorations and effects, the album came out more amazing than I could’ve imagined. A blaring sound of emotions with the power to captivate.

For a year and 7 months I have been in their inner circle not just as their sessionist but as a friend. Seeing Melody in her home with her family was comfort that this lady is not just talented, but a well rounded woman, mother, jokester, artist, and bandmate. She is unwavering on stage, and confident when she delivers her music. Nievera, who is the “Bunso” (Tagalog for youngest), is fun, bright, and adventurous. Being that we both grew up in the same neck of the woods (Ayala Alabang Village in Muntinlupa, Philippines), I feel comfort in his presence. A familiar way of being, and a kindred, in sorts to my spirit. And Wolf. The big brother, the stoic presence who aligns the stars and shovels the hard soil for which these songs sit on and are guided by. 

To sum it up, “Walls Might Melt”, is an album about truth. Maybe that’s not the intention of what Melody was trying to portray as a whole, but she kindly did say this album has a little something for everyone and loves how others interpret the songs for themselves. That is what music is supposed to do anyway. But as that big fly on the wall who saw it all, to me, it’s the truth. The truth about a journey in the making since the 90’s. The truth about a passion only experienced human beings can convey. A truth I saw with my own eyes and ears. And the truth is, I love this band. And for many years to come, I hope you feel this truthful love as I do. 

Click HERE to get The Mellow Dees’ debut album, “Walls Might Melt”.