Jed sings a different tune

MANILA, Philippines - A Jed Madela album is never complete without him belting out high notes, or bumibirit in the vernacular, in almost all of the songs included in the lineup. Well, that was then. His latest album under Star Records titled, All Original, evidently makes Jed loosen up; taking a breather from what used to be his signature vocal style — powerful and high in tones.

“It’s a new sound for me. When you listen to the album, track 1 pa lang iisipin mo, ‘Si Jed ba ito?’ but in a good way. It’s one album I’m really proud of,” says Jed about his seventh album which is now available in music stores nationwide.

He, too, didn’t expect to come up with songs that would be more singable for people. “I know my songs are easy on the ears pero mahirap sabayan. Perhaps, that’s the reason why my songs (before) didn’t last. So when we were conceptualizing the album, we thought of songs na pwedeng sabayan even in videokes.”

The shift in vocal range can be considered as one great accomplishment for the balladeer. “It’s not that I’m tired of birit (tunes) but here I felt refreshed and relaxed. I admit it was hard for me at first to do the songs but keeping in mind one of our goals that the songs have to be singable, I told myself I must really work hard on them. And I’m happy working with Jonathan Manalo, tutok talaga s’ya because during recording I thought I did OK pero he pushed me some more and I discovered na meron pa pala.”

Besides, Jed adds, it’s about time to make a change after having signed a three-year contract with the Kapamilya recording arm. But this is not to say that he got stuck with doing the same thing when he was still with Universal Records. He is forever grateful to his former recording label for helping him carve his niche in the music scene. “But of course, we have to grow and explore other possibilities; to work with other artists. That’s what I love with Star (Records) because I discovered my ability to do more, ‘yung tipong di ko na-imagine na kaya pala ng boses ko.”

He also deems that it won’t be exciting anymore for listeners to hear him perform songs having the same feel. “Wala ng element of surprise ‘pag ganun lagi.”

As Jed offers a new sound, he complements it with all-original tracks. The album features 10 original compositions by some of the country’s music geniuses like Soc Villanueva, Jonathan, Garlic Garcia, Genevieve de Vera, Raizo Chabeldin, Francis Salazar, Christian Martinez, Wilson John Escaner, Jimmy Antiporda, Jungee Marcelo and Trina Belamide. Also included is Jed’s composition Tanging Ikaw.

“It took several months to finish from the time we met and sat down to listen to a hundred songs. Each song can stand on its own,” offers Jed.

In fact, Jed has started recording one of the album’s tracks as theme song of a soon-to-be-aired Kapamilya teleserye.

Asked what took him so long to release an all-original album, Jed replies, “I think it has something to do with proper timing because when I was with Universal, meron din akong mga original songs but that was the time that revivals started to pick up then acoustics and remixes followed so nawala talaga (originals). I hope this is the right time to bring out new OPM songs.”

He admits releasing an all-original album is a big risk knowing how covers appeal to music fans. “That’s why I’m happy that Star Records is with me in taking the risk. It is difficult but somebody has to do it to bring back (the glory days of) OPM. If no one starts in reviving OPM, it will die eventually and I’m glad there are still artists who are taking risks in coming out with original albums to give new songs and keep OPM alive.”

Tracks included in All Original are Wish, When Love Once Was Beautiful, Dito Lang, Ikaw Na, Ipinapangako Ko, Sa Habang Buhay, Tanging Ikaw, Dalangin Ko, Will Forever, Home To You and bonus tracks Wish (extended mix) and Dito Lang (alternate edit).

Aside from the album, Jed shares another milestone in his career as he was recently hailed as the first Filipino to be inducted into the Performing Arts Hall of Fame in Hollywood. He will be receiving the Achievement Award in July in Los Angeles.

Is there still anything that Jed is eyeing in the future? “I’m planning to do a major concert in a big venue like the Big Dome.”

Is he willing to collaborate with other Star Records artists someday?

“Oh yeah. I like something unusual ‘yung tipong balladeer and a rock star. With Yeng (Constantino)? Yes, I’d love to collaborate with her. Actually, Yeng and I always talk about it; kung ano ba yung pwede naming i-record together.”

He also looks forward to working with Toni Gonzaga, Aiza Seguerra and, yes, Daniel Padilla, with whom he had a minor misunderstanding months ago. “Although we haven’t talk personally yet, everything is okay with me now and I guess, napag-usapan na din nila yun. Everything is all right now between us. In regards to collaboration, why not? Given the right material and the right producer, it would be something different and interesting.”