CEBU, Philippines - Never will you find in my stack of CDs any copy of any local artist. No, I’m not biased nor prejudiced towards local talents. In fact, I support every homegrown artist in every way I can. After all, I too am an artist. It’s just that I have never found anything that to me is yet for keeps.
Then, I met Janra ‘Jun’ Rivera who spoke passionately about their music and beaming with pride over of the release their band’s self-titled debut album. Indeed, he stirred my musical curiosity and somehow “reopened’” (so-to-speak) my ear to Cebuano music.
From the album cover alone, which features the heroic Lapulapu carrying the usual bolo on the right hand and a rock guitar on the left, there is no doubt that this is genuinely homegrown. And for a self-proclaimed hard rock band, the 10-track CD is a surprising mix of pop and classic rock that will certainly have a little bit of something for every ear.
The album opens with three pop-rock songs: Sabihin mo Na, Nais and Somehow. Nais is a personal favorite because of its easy melody and content. It’s actually a love song weaved in upbeat tempo. Although the fourth track Nalumay na Gayuma contains all the elements of Santana’s Black Magic Woman—from the guitar intro to the rhythm and lyrical context (I’m in her spell, it’s a curse I swear…) there is something refreshing about this cha-cha number. This is For You is an ode to love—obviously a dedication to a significant other.
The band’s rock signature highlights on the second half of the CD with the slow-rock Love Gone. With music and lyrics by the band’s Paul Cañada, he certainly stamped Zzubu on the song as well as on the next track. My second fave, Shake combines sexy lyrics, catchy beat and all-rock vocals. Ayg Ilara the carrier single brings in all the rock elements that pay tribute to the Boholanos. Payo ni Lolo is an anecdote about life and relationships while Hoy Pare! closes the album with an absolute rock impression.
And on that note, I reveal: I now have a new section in my CD collection labeled—Local Artists. Go Cebuano!
(Janra and Zzubu is distributed by Candid Records and also features the collaboration of Vincent Borromeo, Alan Ayque, John Paul Borromeo and John Clayton Abellana. Songs are now getting substantial play in the airwaves. Janra and Zzubu is available in record stores nationwide)