Jed Madela takes risk with new album, concert

MANILA, Philippines - “It’s a risk in a way but we really have to start somewhere,” says Jed Madela of his latest album, Breathe Again, which boasts of original songs by new and emerging composers.

It’s a conscious departure from the balladeer’s previous albums that were focused on cover versions. Jed, whose singing career spans close to a decade now, tells The STAR, “The OPM industry is not really doing well because we’ve been relying too much on remakes or covers, to the point that even listeners have become lazy. They no longer want to listen to new materials because they’re used to remakes.”

Jed says that coming up with fresh works reflect the direction of most of the artists under the recording label Universal Records. “That’s our thrust now — that is to bring in new composers, new songs at ibalik yung dati na ang daming magagandang Filipino songs. It’s a waste if we don’t do anything about it. With the (introduction of new) talents, compositions, mas aangat ang music industry. It will not become stagnant kasi di nagshu-shuffle lang ang mga songs.”

Breathe Again is also the title of the first single off the album and one of its nine original songs. Also featured are five remakes, which are the most requested covers of Jed in his shows here and abroad.

Up-and-coming songwriters were intentionally tapped for the album. These even included a fan of Jed and the guitarist of his band.

“That’s what I said to Universal, that as much as I respected all the big-name composers, I really wanted to get new ones (for a) new sound. Most of the composers are people na di pa kilala except for Keith Martin.”

Among Jed’s favorite singles is Larawan, saying: “(I like it) because it’s tunog luma, like the old OPM, very simple words, catchy melody and very explosive ending.”

The singer’s seventh and latest album showcases original songs by up-and-coming composers

He also cites another favorite in Ikaw Nalang Ang Kulang. “I recorded it for a John Lloyd Cruz-Bea Alonzo movie a few years back. I never released and recorded it for an album. It actually got lost and the composer even had no copy. Good thing, naghalungkat ako sa files ko, and a minus one of the song was still there.”

Jed also has a duet titled Your Moment To Shine with popular Malaysian singer Nikki Palikat.

Keith, meanwhile, wrote the dance tune We’re Having A Party, and the song’s a novel thing to the ears of his fans as Jed himself admits that its genre is alien to him. It was, nonetheless, a challenge he happily took on.

The covers, on the other hand, include Fantasia Barirno’s I Believe and Barry Manilow’s I Made It Through The Rain.

His vocal versatility is at its finest display in the album, although he is quick to point out, “Ang pinaka-goal ko is not to show off that my voice can hit the high notes, but more of to create an impact on people or touch their hearts.”

The singer says he was able to heave a sigh of relief after making Breathe Again.

“For the past six albums I’ve done, although may mga originals din dun, revivals were the ones highlighted. People have been tagging me as a singer who does a lot of revivals pero wala pang hit na original, although I had one Let Me Love You, but that was in my first album,” shares Jed, who scored PMPC awards for Revival Album of the Year and Male Recording Artist of the Year last month.

 “So when I got the concept to focus on originals, hay salamat naman, I get to sing my own songs and not rely on the popularity of old songs so they can be popular again. Besides, there’s not quite like the experience of turning a song that was never heard to something that people really like.”

Apparently, the risk is paying off. Within a day after its launch last Oct. 26, Breathe Again jumped up to No. 3 in the local charts.

Interestingly, this isn’t the only risk Jed is taking this year. He’s also having his first major concert titled Beyond Expectations — a fusion of pop and culture — on Nov. 26, 8 p.m., at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Main Theater.

His roster of guests include OPM stalwarts and purveyors of culture and the arts such as Ogie Alcasid, Martin Nievera, Gary Valenciano, the Philippine Madrigal Singers, mezzo soprano Clarissa Ocampo, with Ryan Cayabyab and Floy Quintos, as musical director and director, respectively.

With his singer-friends like Mark Bautista, Eric Santos, Rachelle Ann Go dipping into musical theater, Jed does entertain the thought of hitting the stage as well but he’s not one to rush the experience either.

“Ako nalang hindi nag-musical theater. I don’t want to get into a project for the heck of it, or because everybody is doing it. Sana may magandang material. A Phantom of the Opera would be a dream (project) and it’s one of my favorite musicals. I don’t want to close my doors on it. But I want to be sure I will be ripe for it.”

But Jed believes he will enjoy the energy of a live theater, in the same way he enjoys his every live performance. This is because, he says, “I love watching the instant reaction of the audience. It is what fuels me during a performance.”

(Tickets to Jed Madela’s first major concert titled Beyond Expectations are available on Ticketworld. For details, call 891-9999 or 998-6788.)