Songs that define Jed

MANILA, Philippines - You often hear him sing of love and affection. But have you heard Jed Madela render songs meaningful to him? Or songs that get him so emotional and nostalgic?

This time, everybody will. The 16 tracks that make up Jed’s fifth album under Universal Records titled, Songs Rediscovered 2: The Ultimate OPM Playlist, are closest to his heart. They are the songs that helped shape him to be a singer whose passion reflects through the effortless rendition of every song.

“Each song is special and has a story to tell. It brings me back to my younger days,” Jed says about the song line up chosen from over a hundred OPM songs in English lyrics.

He vividly remembers how A Smile in Your Heart served as a contest piece when he was in Grade 6. You, Friend of Mine and Got to Let You Know, on the other hand, make him want to go back to his hometown in Iloilo as he recalls how he and his friends used to sing them at recess time.

What about a Sharon Cuneta original To Love Again? Jed so admires the Megastar he always sends her fan mail when he was this tall. And to please him, his sister and mom made him believe that Sharon was the one writing him back not knowing that it was only them who were answering the fan mails. They even enclosed a “signed” photo of Sharon.

“I was so happy that time yun pala kunwari lang. Sharon knows about that story but I don’t know who told her,” Jed shares.

Another cut Can’t We Start Over Again is dear to the WCOPA champ. His initial rendition of the Jose Mari Chan composition was recorded in cassette tape. “I was only nine or 10 years old then and I discovered the old tape in our house. I played it and heard myself singing it na boses bata,” Jed enthuses.

 Maybe and Hold On transport Jed back to his Prime Council days. “They were part of my band gigs in Iloilo.”

Although the album brings fond memories for Jed, it doesn’t mean listeners will have a hard time connecting to the songs. Jed and the UR team assure the selections are radio-friendly, not too high-end, simple and heartfelt.

“Most of the songs included were the ones with recall. I and the Universal people made our own list. Then we found out na may mga common songs kami na nalista so yun ang mga napasama sa album. And it just happened I have special memories to the songs,” Jed offers. “When you listen to them mapapa-hay ka talaga.”

The selection process, Jed says, started in November and by January it was already finished. “We were supposed to release it last month but the packaging took a long time.”

Other songs included are I Need You Back, Give Me A Chance, A Friend, Can Find No Reason, I’ll Always Stay In Love This Way, Special Memory, Let The Pain Remain and Everyday.

Does he plan to release an all-original on his next album?

“I do have original cuts in my past albums. These days, we cannot find a market for originals. Revivals are the in thing now. Unless you hook up with teleseryes or movies but it would also be difficult because they have their own record labels. So we decided to do remakes with an all-English OPM classics concept,” Jed replies.

Who does he consider his stiffest competition?

“I don’t pay too much attention on competing because each artist has his own style, image and sound. As long as people like what I do then I don’t make it more complicated.”

And all Jed wants is to enjoy every OPM hits around.