Voices on a roll

MANILA, Philippines - Four young lady singers are making some headway in the music scene due to their peculiar vocal identities and exceptional songwriting skills.

Dolphy’s daughter Zia Quizon scored her breakthrough hit via the single Ako Na Lang off her self-titled debut that eventually sold more than 10,000 copies and made her the recipient of Awit Awards’ Best Recording by a New Female Artist.

With more confidence she recently came out with her sophomore album A Little Bit of Lovin’. She said, “We felt a bit of pressure in making this album worth-buying so this is more personal to me.”

The 10-track album is led by her latest single Pasakalye, penned by top tunesmith Jungee Marcelo and bears the earmarks that made her first big hit a standout. The Zia-Jungee tandem is also behind the famed theme for the hit movie Bakit Di Ka Crush Ng Crush Mo.

Released by Polyeast Records, A Little Bit Of Lovin’ also includes Zia’s collaboration with Gloc-9 for an anti-bullying campaign piece titled Katulad Ng Dati.

Zia reflected metaphorically on her success. “My career is not just a car on a highway. It is a train on a track, going fast. I wanted to make the most out of this and let the meanings of my songs shine through.”

There’s another voice with a prominent showbiz surname. Marion Aunor just launched her self-titled debut album care of Star Records. She actually got noticed first as a songwriter after she placed third in this year’s Himig Handog Love Songs competition with her entry If You Ever Change Your Mind.

The said song is part of her album, along with carrier singles Do, Do, Do and Fallen. Both tracks she wrote, in addition to other few stuff she composed, one with her manager-producer Vehnee Saturno as collaborator.

“I come out with melodies freestyle then find piano chords to it,” she noted to the press who attended her launch at Live Vibe Centrale in A. Venue Mall in Makati.

There are a handful of revivals in the album, notable on their own because she was able to “put my own spin to them.” She sung her version of Pink’s Just Give Me A Reason and the classic local tune Someone’s Always Saying Goodbye.

Still, the bigger deal is the golden opportunity given her passion for melody-making. “I’m very grateful I was given the freedom to include my original compositions and a say in terms of the cover songs’ arrangements,” she happily expressed.

Meanwhile, for KZ Tandingan, some critics think that the release of her debut album is way late to cash in on her triumph as X Factor Philippines grand winner, but the singer herself isn’t bothered by the supposed delay. She’s far up in cloud nine to even worry about that.

“Di pa rin ako makapaniwala that this day has finally come. Naniniwala ako na hindi dapat minamadali ang paggawa ng album,” she pointed out.

Her eponymous CD boasts her carrier single Puro Laro and a dose of significant others, like the theme to A Beautiful Affair (Wag Ka Nang Umiyak) and her own composition Love, Love, Love.

She amusingly managed to get back at her haters, stating on the album sleeve: “We all have the right to speak our minds kaya nirerespeto ko ang mga opinion niyo. Salamat pa rin kahit paano mas naging matibay ako dahil sa inyo.”

Her big, soothing voice made it all clear that sense of toughness. Kudos, as well, to Jonathan Manalo’s skillful production.

On the other hand, multi-talented K.A. Antonio has proven her mettle in various forms, whether as frontwoman for then jazz band Ajka or as VJ for music channel MYX. This time, she’s going solo, with an album to showcase containing her original songs highlighted by the single Papansin.

Now managed by Curve Entertainment, K.A. has crafted interesting pop songs delivered in cute, relaxed mode which characterizes her vocal prowess. Listeners can expect edgy new tunes most of which she scribbled while driving her car.

One song called Beep she completed while stuck in traffic. Pun not intended, she remarked, “I am more driven now to do all the things I want.”

This pre-school teacher by day and occasional wedding singer finished another number in just minutes while waiting for her gig set.

Talking about her solo venture, she cited, “It’s a pop, more into sweet kind, lighter than how I sounded with Ajka. But this is who I really am.”