eems like people just can't get enough of Nina. Releasing two platinum-selling albums “Heaven” (2002) and “Smile” (2003), and performing the monster ballad, “I Don't Want to be Your Friend” on hitmaker Diane Warren's international compilation “Love Songs” this year just made pop and R&B aficionados clamor for more soul siren surprises. Sure enough, Nina's dropping her biggest present yet.

After countless live concert performances, Nina finally gave in to requests by her long time fans to put out her first live album. “Nina Live!” captures the Soul Siren magic. Recorded at Phi Bar & Restaurant in hip Metrowalk last January, “Nina Live” captures the young diva in her element, effortlessly dishing out torch favorites music-loving golden oldies will never forget, like Chaka Khan's “Through the Fire,” Brenda Russel's “Piano in the Dark” and The Eagles' “I Can't Tell You Why.” Even her student and yuppie fanbase will love Nina's covers of popular, contemporary tracks like Aaliyah's “At Your Best,” Jennifer Love Hewitt's “Cool with You”, Julia Fordham's “Love Moves in Mysterious Ways” and Celine Dion's “I Love You Goodbye.” It's a mix that showcases Nina's musical taste and versatility through this most requested love songs collection.

“Nina Live!” is so raw, you'll almost think you were there at Phi Bar yourself, gushing over Nina and cheering all the more when her surprise guests come out and join her for a couple of very interesting duets. That's right, “Nina Live!” triples the star power with three diverse but equally talented cuties. First up is the charismatic Christian Bautista, who made temperatures rise when he joined Nina on “Burn.” Then we have slick R&B balladeer Thor matching Nina note for note on their duet, “The Closer I Get To You.” Finally, Nina gets to bust some hip-hop grooves for her delighted fans with Dice&K9's mad pup, Trapp. The duo certainly brought Martika's “Coloured Kisses” to a whole new level.

As an added bonus, “Nina Live!” also contains Nina's biggest single of the year so far: “I Don't Want to be Your Friend” the studio version. The track was especially written by international songwriter Diane Warren. Those who saw Nina's sexy video for “I Don't Want to be Your Friend” may be a bit shocked at the songstress' wanton transformation, but Nina's clearly not afraid to express herself, be it in her videos or her music. In fact, it was who Nina revived the whole video trend by the end of 2002, starting with the singles “Heaven,” “Jealous”, “Foolish Heart”, “Loving You”, Make You Mine”, “A Girl Can Dream”, “Sayang Naman”. That's eight diverse videos in a span of two years. Now she's even going to conquer the live concert arena with “Nina Live!” the album, and a special DVD recording of her live Phi Bar performance to be released soon.

Slated to be released on February 25, “Nina Live!” is an 18-track, live concert experience every Nina fan should go home with, one you can listen to your heart's content for the one-time ticket price of P280. Because once you've heard Nina go live, it's time to get your copy of “Nina Live!”

“Nina Live!” is distributed by the hitmaking label Warner Music Philippines . Grab your copies at leading Tatak Pilipino stores . - -