RJ JMNZ Tuesday love affair

The problem with songwriters who record their own songs is that their works tend to sound alike. This is not a problem if the sound or the singer’s style is the hit of the moment. Think music by the Beatles or by last week’s visitor Neil Sedaka during their heydays. They could sing anything and turn it into a hit. But like hit songs, sounds and styles also have a shelf life and what may have been hot 10 years ago might not sell anymore today.

This is the problem that RJ Jimenez who bills himself text-message-like RJ JMNZ in his first album, will have to face some years from now. His self-titled CD is mostly made up of his own works. He writes pretty melodies with lyrics that young listeners would describe as cute. RJ is the guy behind the hit song Miss Kita Pag Tuesday. He has a nice, easy singing style that is very suitable for light pop tunes. But of course, because he composed his songs, these sound alike.

Thankfully, RJ’s songwriting skills are right on the money. Unlike a lot of newcomers these days, the former Pinoy Dream Academy scholar knows his music, has a good command of grammar in Tagalog, Taglish and English and on what notes to put these words in. He also has a good sense of humor. He likes to tell amusing stories with his songs and knows how to put punch lines to good use.

RJ is doing quite well these days with his singing but I would still advise him to further hone his writing. More variety is all that this guy needs. If he learns how to work on this, then I am sure we would still be hearing his songs, 10 or more years from now. Stardom is great but in the long run, it is always the song and never the singer that lasts.

RJ JMNZ has his original Tuesday hit, Miss Kita Pag Tuesday and a sequel, Sa Wakas, which tells the sad ending to the love story. Also a likely big seller is Magasin, which I see as Ely Buendia’s take on Hot Dog’s Beeeh! Buti Nga theme. This was originally recorded by the Eraserheads but RJ turned it into his very own. Good job. There are also True Love Waits, Oo, Superstar, Magandang Lahi, In Love, Can’t Make You Smile, Ako, and It’s All About Your Love. Not also his own but quite well done and lending variety to the CD are his versions of All My Life and Wag Na Lang.

Check out RJ and his songs at the SM South Mall on May 25; SM Taytay, June 1; and SM Lipa, June 8.

Pinoy top hits

Although sidelined by pregnancy, the beleaguered Jennylyn Mercado remains present in the hit charts thanks to the release of, The Best of Jennylyn Mercado. The compilation includes some new tracks and one turned out to be a hit. This is How Do I Live (Without You) one of her three duets with Janno Gibbs. The others are If I’m Not in Love with You and the theme from the movie Moments of Love.

The other cuts are P.S. I Love You, Kaibigang Tunay, Pangako Mo, I’d Still Say Yes, Sapat Na ang Minsan, Sa Aking Panaginip, The Art of Letting Go, Kahit Sandali, Nalilimutan Mo Na Ba? Kaya Mo Bang Ibalik? and Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love for You.

Meanwhile out there at MYX, the video on top of the Pinoy MYX countdown is Rachelle Ann Go’s powerful remake of the Harem Scarem hit Honestly from her live album, Rachelle Ann Rocks. The others who made the Top 20 are: Pitong Araw by Hale; Susundan by Callalily; Betamax by Sandwich; Eargasmic by Dice & K9; Ang Sarap Dito by Project 1; One Day in Your Life by Kyla; Here I Am by Eric Santos; How Do I Live (Without You) by Janno and Jennylyn; and Love Song by Nancy Jane.

Eto Na ang Summer by Callalily; Migraine by Moonstar 88; Maskara by Rivermaya; One Hello by Toni Gonzaga; Summer Song by Silent Sanctuary; The Last Time by Richard Poon; Di Na Ganun by Yeng Constantino; As You Believe by Zelle; Unsaid by Lala and Christian Bautista; and Tattooed on My Mind by Jay-R and D’Sound.