Pinoy divas come up with new albums

The big divas from good old America are not the only ones making their bid for the charts at this time of the year. Some Pinoy divas have also joined the race, three of whom, Jaya, Nina and Sitti have already proven they can put one over the foreign releases in the hit lists, while the other is a newcomer also doing the US bit and whose music sounds like nobody else. Here they are:

Cover versions is the game and here is Jaya with her latest offering. The Soul Diva did make her mark with originals like Laging Naroon Ka and Dahil Tanging Ikaw, but times have changed. What local buyers want most right now is to hear their favorite artists singing their favorite foreign songs in her style. Jaya’s is a unique one bred in the US and it is always such a treat to hear her husky, distinctive tones singing well-loved oldies.

Real Love Stories is not Jaya’s first cover collection. She did Cool Change two years ago. Like that one, this is also a varied lot with some R&B, some rock and a lot of pop. First single out is the late Kenny Rankin’s Hiding Inside Myself, a very nice choice. Old Friend should get the next chance at the charts. Also in the album are After All, All Of My Life, Anyone Can See, Breathe Again, Finding Out The Hard Way, I Just Can’t Let Go, I Will Survive, I Won’t Last A Day Without You, Maybe This Time, Real Love, Save The Best For Last and You On My Mind.

Nina should really watch her high notes and leave the vocal calisthenics to the birit champions. Still I do not see how those could affect one’s enjoyment of the Soul Siren’s latest album. Most of the songs included feature the Nina that her fans like best. She is alone in an intimate setting, with her sweet voice singing sad, broken-hearted songs with simple, pared-down arrangements. So those who loved her diamond-selling Love Moves In Mysterious Ways will find lots to love in her CD Renditions Of The Soul.

Opener She’s Out Of My Life is a winner. So are Half-Crazy and Never Again. The latter has some similarity to Love Moves and should also help move this CD in the stores. The other songs in the all-covers album are Can’t Find The Words To Say Goodbye, Cold Summer Nights, Home, Is There Something, Will You Wait For Me, I’m Yours, One Last Cry, Why Can’t It Be, Go The Distance, 7 Days, Can You Feel The Love Tonight, Here I Am, Real Thing and Lost Without You.

Surprise! Sitti has not recorded the Antonio Jobim classics How Insensitive, A Certain Sadness or Dindi. This lovely diva is known hereabouts as the main purveyor of the bossa nova. Now we all know that local bossa singers practically deep mined bossa songs during the Latin sound’s massive popularity a few years ago. So I could not believe that Sitti never recorded those bossa tunes and is doing them for the first time in her latest album Contagious.

I am glad she waited till now. Sitti’s fun, sensuous vibe does justice to the songs. Besides we do appreciate her versions better now that we are without the cacophony of other bossa recordings. Other cuts are Your Love Is King, Is This Love, Adia, Chega De Saudade, So Em Teus Bracos, La La Means I Love You, Do You Really Want To Hurt Me, No More I Love Yous, Let Me In, Promises/ A New Day For You Medley, One On One, Till There Was You and Bossa Nova Baby.

Probably because she records in the US and is therefore not aware of the demands of the local market, L.A.-based jazz artist Charmaine Clamor has the most daring and most interesting album among these Pinoy divas. Not only that, she also introduces a new type of music. It is called jazzipino and is a blend of her jazz singing with Filipino melodies.

The effect on the listener is stunning. In fact, it is such a joy to find Filipino melodies performed jazz style by a world-class talent. Jazzipino by Charmaine includes Dahil Sa ‘yo, O Ilaw, Minamahal Kita, Lahat Ng Araw, Pamulinawen, Usahay, Sa Ugoy Ng Duyan, Pakiusap, Minamahal Sinasamba with Mon David, Matud Nila, Dungawin Mo Hirang, Ay Kalisud, Panahon Na/ Hindi Kita Malimot, Harana Sa Dilim, and as a bonus track a reworking of the Rogers and Hart classic My Funny Valentine as My Funny Brown Pinay.