An album that lives up to an image

Technically, Jasmine Trias is no Filipino. Her parents were born and grew up in this country. But Jasmine herself was born and grew up in Hawaii and is therefore American. Still, there was much rejoicing among Pinoys when she charmed her way through American Idol and ended up second runner-up to Fantasia Barrino and Diana DeGarmo. Bloodwise, she is, after all, truly Filipino.

So it is no surprise to anybody that the release of her first album will be warmly welcomed hereabouts, more so her presence at the launch. Jasmine was in town last week to do her media blitz in several TV shows and live showcases at the malls. And she truly proved herself somebody Pinoys can be proud of. The girl is not only pretty. She also has a warm, bubbly personality that is hard not to like. Truth to tell, a lot of our local young stars can take a cue from this girl’s behavior as she went about her business with a sweet smile and always with a proper reply to any greeting or question.

Jasmine’s album, simply entitled Jasmine Trias, lives up to an image. It is an engaging blend of pop, R&B and sentimental ballads by some of the best known local and foreign songwriters. Happily, the girl proves herself well-equipped for the demands of every cut. My only gripe with the album is that it would have been nice if more Tagalog songs had been included. There is a strong chance that Jasmine will be able to do the R&B stuff out there in the US, so she should have experimented with more Pinoy songs in this album. Hopefully, she will do so on her second try.

Jasmine goes all out with youthful energy in the first single release, the edgy dance track Lose Control, which was written, arranged and produced by DJ MOD, a.k.a. Noel Macanaya. Check out the groovy video produced and shot in Jasmine’s native Hawaii. Then she gets all sentimental with Sana Lagi, a Korean composition given Tagalog lyrics by Ito Rapadas and John Barnard Borja which might just be the next single release.

The album also includes Excuses, All I Need, DJ Don’t Quit, Once Again, a Jay Durias composition where Jasmine performs with South Border, What U Do to Me, Can’t Hold Back, Don’t Go, Inseparable, her best known piece from the American Idol competition, I Still Luv You, Just a Fool, Kung Paano, a new work by consistent hitmaker Vehnee Saturno and If Ever I See Heaven Again by the famous Diane Warren of I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing fame.

Vehnee’s Hit Review

Vehnee Saturno, the popular songwriter and coach to singing champions, is all set to show off his performing skills in Hit Review. Subtitled Song Masters, The Hitmakers of All Time, the show will be held at Zirkoh on Timog Avenue, Quezon City on Thursday, Oct. 13, 10 p.m. Featured performers are Sheryn Regis, Jed Madela and Ladine Roxas. Tickets are priced at P400 and are available at the gate. Proceeds will go to the Mabuhay Deseret Foundation.

Vehnee has written over 400 songs. Among his biggest hits are Forever’s Not Enough for Sarah Geronimo, Bakit Pa Ba? for Jay R, Till My Heartaches End for Ella May Saison, Only Me and You for Donna Cruz and Mula Sa Puso for Jude Michael. His songs have also been recorded by Sharon Cuneta, Martin Nievera, Regine Velasquez, Rico Puno, Jaya and many others.

Sharing the bill with Vehnee are other prolific songwriters like Tito Cayamanda, Nonoy Tan and Mon del Rosario who will also perform their works. Tito wrote the lyrics of Rachelle Ann Go’s From the Start and composed Christian Bautista’s Kailan Pa Ma’y Ikaw. Nonoy is the father of Hale frontman Champ. He wrote Marco Sison’s My Love Will See You Through and Janet Basco’s You Made Me Live Again. Mon composed the Metro Manila Music Festival winner Sino Ang Baliw?

JD tops Rock Star: INXS search

Speaking of talent contests, I just wish to inform you that the Australian group INXS has chosen its new frontman during the truly exciting finale of the TV show Rock Star: INXS. And its choice is Canadian JD Fortune. JD will join INXS in recording a new album set for release this November and in a world tour which starts in January. The other two finalists were Marty Casey of the US and MiG Ayesa of the Philippines, Australia and the UK.