More classic love ballads

Jay R has hair. Personally, I prefer the bald pate. There is an edge to the look, a sort of devil-may-care appeal that makes him stand out. On the other hand though, having hair gives Jay R youthful appeal. His now is the clean-cut charm of a Little Boy. It Is Sweet And Vulnerable And I must say totally In keeping with the way he sings in his new CD.

The album is Jay R Sings OPM Love Ballads. Because he grew up in the US and sings R&B, Jay R has this hip image one will not easily associate with the old OPM ballads. He is tagged “Platinum Prince of Soul” and when you hear something like that, you expect him to sing foreign covers as in his Soul In Love album or new originals in the R&B mold like his big hit Bakit Pa Ba?. Certainly not something like Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin by Martin Nievera or Sana Ay Ikaw Na Nga by Basil Valdez.

Jay R though is also known as a musician who takes his work seriously. He is ever in search of ways to improve his music or better his career. Therefore it was inevitable that he would one day want to try his hand with our love ballads. As he says in his liner notes: “Growing up as a Filipino musician in a foreign land, it has always been my lifelong goal to record an OPM album.”

I believe our songs are among the most beautiful in the whole world and no singer should forgo the opportunity to record them. I do not know why, but our artists sound so much better and feel so much more when they sing in Tagalog. Jay R is no different. I am happy he took the chance and he should also be not only happy, but also very proud, because this is his best recording to date.

The voice is in great form. He retains his mellow soul style against very simple arrangements. No fireworks here, just a slow burn. This makes the old, much-covered and very diverse songs in the line-up his very own. I also noticed his somewhat tentative delivery. Must be because he was feeling his way around the language. So there is this little hesitation and then he nails the note and the result is really quite charming. I guess though that the best reason the CD is so good is because the guy is a Filipino. He can do all the R&B he wants but it can never be denied that he was born to sing songs like these.

He agrees. Jay R also wrote: Today, I stand here before you with the product of my musical journey. A journey that takes me back to my roots, to the music of my forerunners, to the music of every Filipino, displaced or otherwise, and to the universal music that lives inside our hearts.”

Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin and Sana Ay Ikaw Na Nga made the cut and so did the rocker turned mellow Himala by RiverMaya which is the first single release. The song is at present getting very good airplay. Other cuts are Ako’y Sa ‘yo, Ika’y Akin by I-Axe; Paalam Na by Rachel Alejandro; Muli with Nina by Gary Valenciano and Regine Velasquez; Kahit Kailan by South Border; Huwag Na Lang Kaya by True Faith; Sa Isip Ko by Agot Isidro; Sa Kanya by Ogie Alcasid; Wala Na Bang Pag-ibig by Jaya; Hagkan by Sharon Cuneta; and my favorite which he does beautifully, Ikaw Lamang by Zsa Zsa Padilla.

Other OPM tunes that have become big radio favorites like Himala are Di Na Bale by Bugoy Drilon; Makapiling Ka by Spongecola; Parang Si Ely Buendia by Soapdish; Bad Romance by Princess; Sometimes Love Just Ain’t Enough by Jennylyn Mercado; Ikaw Ay Perfect by Eurasia; Beautiful Girl by Christian Bautista; You’re So Hot by XLR8; Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko by Noel Cabangon; Right Here Waiting by Sarah Geronimo; Sa Isip Ko by Sharon Cuneta; and I Love You Goodbye by Juris.

Those of you are interested in singing Jay R’s songs in this album can get a limited edition copy that includes a free music minus one CD at all Odyssey and O record stores.