JED MADELA – Best foot on THE CLASSICS ALBUM

Meet once again one of the finest singing bees this world has ever conceived – Jed Madela on his another brand new album called “The Classics Album.” As the word suggest, no second guess, it means the golden diamond classics of all times first popularized under the vocal batons of Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, Tom Jones, Perry Como, Matt Monro, Nat King Cole, Paul Anka, Jack Jones, The Four Tops, Simon & Garfunkel.

The new album is under the recording asylum of the Universal Records and produced by a platinum album producer Ito Rapadas.

Few of those most coveted track listing were as follows:

1. What I Did For Love (Popularized by Jack Jones), 2. Let Me Try Again (Popularized by Frank Sinatra), 3. I Believe (Popularized by Tom Jones), 4. Love Story (Where Do I Begin) (Popularized by Andy Williams), 5. It's Impossible (Popularized by Perry Como), 6. Portrait Of My Love (Popularized by Matt Monro), 7. Softly As I Leave You (Popularized by Matt Monro), 8. An Affair To Remember (Popularized by Nat King Cole),9. Times Of Your Life (Popularized by Paul Anka), 10. A Time For Us (Popularized by Andy Williams), 11. You Will Be My Music (Popularized by Frank Sinatra) 12. Walk Away (Popularized by Matt Monro), 13. Somewhere (Popularized by Matt Monro)...

And a lot more in store for you once you've got the hefty package of the album. These were just abridge listing of the tracks in the album. But the promise of the most sang tracks of our good old fathers on a tape cue cassette are on the album – but no “My Way” please!

By the way, Jed Madela is a native young blood of Iloilo City, Philippines. Through sheer determination made a big splash through his singing acumen. His big bacon taken home is when he was acclaimed as the grand champion of the World Championships Of Performing Arts (WCOP) in Hollywood, California. There are over 3, 000 competitors in 52 countries. He Bested among them all – what a feat, fame and fortune!

Jed Madela has four studio albums. Most of them has considerable amount of sales with Gold and Platinum appraisals. I'll Be Around with the radio smash hit “Let Me Love You,” Songs Rediscovered – Double Platinum, Only Human – Platinum, Voice of Christmas – Gold and Songs Rediscovered 2 – Platinum. And perhaps, as expected for this new album that he has. Furthermore, let's know more from him how he did it again on his other vocal grandeur.


How does the recording process works for you this time?
For this 6th album I was very hands-on from planning to then choosing the songs and for the arrangements. I’ve worked closely to my producer, Mr. Ito Rapadas. Pagdating sa recording gan'un pa rin, iniiwan nila ako sa studio. They gave me freedom to do whatever I want. But it was more of how I would like to record it, ano ba y'ung feel dapat d'un sa song. When it comes to the album packaging, it was Universal Records who came up with the idea. Of course, piracy is still there, we tried to device away na parang paano natin pabibilihin pa rin y'ung tao ng original album instead of downloading na lang. So we made the album packaging really unique and very attractive.

How long were you in the studio for this new record?
Mabilis kasi ako mag-record, probably around 30 minutes for one song. Minsan nakaka-tatlong kanta ako sa isang session. But collectively all the 16 songs was recorded in just one week time.

Do you have any criteria on how you decide which song should be included in the album?
Kasi dito sa Universal Records when we come up with the album s’yempre inuupuan talaga naming lahat iyan. Like what concept are we making this time? Hindi naman kasi p’wedeng chopsuey- chopsuey lang (smiles). We think of how we can attract the buyers na para maiba naman and so we ended up recording the songs that are classics. Y'ung pinaka-criteria siguro namin sa pagpili would be songs that have made their mark in the past (50s, 60s up to 70s).

What set of rules did you put in place for the making of “The Classics Album”?
There was actually no rules at all. It was more of I want to sing the way I want to sing it. Y'un lang talaga, ayaw kong maki-uso. Y'ung tipong porke't uso gagawin na namin. Ayaw naming sirain y'ung original, we made it as close to the original but not sounding old, but not too new. It has to maintain its essence, y'ung pagkaluma pero it has to sound new.

How did you motivate yourself for each song when you recording them?
I'm actually an old soul. I enjoy listening to old songs and movies. Ako kasi personally mas gusto ko y'ung mga songs before. Not just like foreign but local movies, local songs. I know some of the songs not that nicely produced. Kasi mismo y'ung mga tunog weird pero y'ung puso ng composer at singer naririnig mo. Hindi mo naririnig y'ung computer, most of the albums kasi now puro effects na. Minsan sintunado pero alam mo na minagic lang ng computer. So ang pinaka motivation ko na kapag narinig ng listener makukuha talaga nila y'ung meaning n'ung song. Kasi simple lang naman y'ung song eh, the lyrics are very simple. Inisip ko lang talaga na dapat wala masyadong kulot, walang arte sa pagkanta. It has to be plain and simple.

Of all the songs included in the album which track is the most extra special for you?
Probably yung “Let Me Try Again” because it’s a very personal song. It’s my mom’s song for my dad. Parang naging theme song nila for a time. Since I know the meaning of the song for my mom n'ung kinanta ko iyan mas nabigyan ko ng extra emotion.

How did you challenge yourself for this new record?
Honestly, I was super pressured. This is now my 6th album with Universal Records. The albums from 1 to 5, their all went Platinum and some double Platinums. So the expectations of the people na parang ayaw kong maging flop. Y'un talaga ang inisip ko, na after five albums kailangan lamangan ko y'un, if not kahit ka-level lang nila or lamangan pa lalo. D'un ako medyo na stressed out na kailangan ko tutukan ito, na lahat pinapakialaman ko na. Because this album is going to be a reflection of who I really am.

How does this new record, “The Classics Album” reflect your personality now?
Probably if you listen to all the songs masasabi n'yo na ito talaga y'ung image ni Jed Madela, very heartfelt songs na talagang ballads. Not all the songs ay birit but you know there are a couple pa rin kasi s’yempre hahanapin talaga ng tao y'un. But I didn’t pay much attention on that, it was more of emotions.

Can you tell us something about your first single “I Believe”?
N'ung pumili kami sa mga kanta on which is best to be the first single of the album sabi ko, ‘pwede bang ibahin natin, usually kasi either love songs or tungkol sa heart break, pagmamahal na hindi natuloy or bawal na pag-ibig. It’s the usual stuff eh, oo papatok pero parang nakaka depressed naman. So for a change let’s do something inspirational, do something that will inspire and encourage people that there’s still hope, that there’s something positive in life. “I Believe” is a very simple song, hindi mahirap intindihin. 'Yan ang pinaka-drive namin sa pagpili.

What elements did you inject to make the sound different from your previous albums?
I think y'ung sa previous albums ko pagbirit ko and masyadong malinis, medyo na lessen y'un. Na lessen in the sense na sinasabi nila na kapag kumakanta ako parang nasa contest palagi (smiles). This time for this album medyo relax but then of course may iba pa rin songs na kailangan lagyan pa rin ng birit kasi people would look for it. That’s the difference probably, it’s more raw, more heartfelt and kung paano ko s'ya nirecord, wala y'ung part na nilinis s'ya or in-edit.

Why coming out another remake album? When can we hear you again coming out an original one?
For me kasi I think it was all about timing. I came into the industry na pasimula na ng remakes. So for my 1st album hindi siya masyadong napansin kasi nag-start na y'ung mga remakes, although it became Gold. Pero hindi siya masyadong nag-take off kasi nga it’s all original y'ung mga singles na nilabas ko. Pero dun sa “Let Me Love You” sumikat din siya kasi on the verge ng original and remakes. N'ung sa next album ko na nandu'n y'ung “The Past” d'un talaga sumikat. Syempre kailangan din natin mag-sell ng album so we have to follow kung ano y'ung demand ng tao.

Given the chance to come out an all original album again will you be writing a song for that upcoming record?
Hopefully. I'm actually writing songs already but I can't assure if makakapasok s'ya for the album (smiles). But I'm still hoping na sana kahit isa or dalawa na composition ko makuha. That’s one of my goals din kasi, passion ko rin kasi ang pagsusulat.

Who would you like to work with for the next (all original) album?
For me given the chance I would like to work with Yeng Constantino, she writes very well, Richard Poon I want to work with him on songs. Of course sila Vehnee Saturno, Ryan Cayabyab, Homer Flores, Ito Rapadas, mga originals songs sana. So sana talaga mabigyan ng chance.

What are you working on next after releasing this new album?
Well as of now we are really pushing for the album. We will be promoting the album kasi we believe with the product so much. And we’re coming up with mall tours na talagang show, hindi lang y'ung kakanta tapos autograph na. It’s going to be a full show talaga. Then in line with the album promotions, they will be concerts here and abroad.

Other things you care to mention about the album?
Y'un aside d'un sa regular CD we also came out with an audiophile album. We encourage the people to get a copy of the audiophile kasi it’s something new. Alam ko tayong mga Pinoy kung anong bago, kahit hindi nila alam kung ano y'ung audiophile talagang bibilhin pa rin nila. Audiophile is something that will make you appreciate the sound more. Kasi mas detailed, if you have surround sa bahay mo para kang nanunuod ng live concert.

What’s the difference of audiophile to the usual audio disc?
I think it’s more of those who really want to appreciate the sound. Since it’s an audiophile, they are very critical to the sound. Naka-balance lahat and remastered siya. Kapag sa ordinary album lang kasi sabay-sabay na lahat tumutugtog. So para kang nanunuod ng concert ng live but of course you must have an audiophile player for you to appreciate it.

♫♫♫

Especial thanks to: Pinoy Song Magazine

JED MADELA; DISCOVERS REDISCOVERED 2

Jed Madela, the young blood behind the voice that lures thousand ships! Common testimony and sentiments admires his voice with their two feet nailed perpendicular on the floor crowning him with a round of applause, all hail the voice! Just like a bachelor's summa cum laude – with great praise.

Jed started turning the pages of his life at the “Dinagyang” capital of the country, Iloilo city where he was born. He started exploring the musical horizons of his life as soon as he knew that he has an endowment of it. Nonetheless, his giftedness in music doesn't exhausted him enough, his interest in visual arts add further color and energy to his musical apostolate. He draws, paints and sketch during slack time and do artful finish in his house as well as the stage for his concert. He have been into a band for fun sometime in his life. Not until he has stepped into the shores of Manila that he was discovered by a talent scout when he was asked by a singer-friend to jam with him.

From then on, Jed just got to be unstoppable; conquering shores after shores, reminiscing souls after souls, reaching stars after stars and Filipinos' pride after pride.

Perhaps, one of Jed Madela's greatest hits is his domination of the 2005 World Championship of the Performing Arts (WCOPA) held at Hollywood, California, USA. He was said to have sacked six gold medals in all six different categories. Fantastic indeed that he was called “The Grand Champion Performer of the World.” Not much, he was said to be arrayed into the Hall of Fame of the World as credited to his winning various awards by a single country. Plus the fact that he's the first Asian to win this Talent Olympics. Some more, every year he was commissioned to close and open the ceremony of the said event.

“It was a challenge for me because it is not easy to do remakes. When you revive a song, you have to give justice to the original but at the same time, you have to make it sound your own without compromising what the original composers and arrangers want.”

Jed Madela has four studio albums so far: I'll Be Around (2003), as being the debut album, Songs Rediscovered (2005), Only Human (2007) and Songs Rediscovered 2 (2009) in a whole new packaging, where he will be sharing later his turns and ideas about the said new album.

The vibrancy of his voice and the clear-as-glass to a crystal-clear vocal exodus enable one of the Philippine's pride to say in one of her interview, “Hindi siya tao! You cannot be human and produce the sound that he makes. You will understand why. I'm really hoping that there are seatbelts in your chairs, trust me, you are going to need them.” – Lea Salonga. So comely his voice is that it never did escape the record of Pinoy Song Magazine. Once upon a while, Jed graced your OPM Music Authority with his presence and musical ideology. He was caught on the record and on cam during our pictorial sessions with him, together with the other gentlemen who are fellow advocate of music, Jay-R and Richard Poon.

“Not to pay too much attention on competition but focusing on how you can improve your craft.”

“That I'm human,” he said as the record rolls when he was asked what we should know about Jed Madela. It would be a statement that might quote his album “Only Human.” Off-stage, Jed tries to recompose himself and went back to the usual mind set, “as soon as I step off the stage, I’m always back to my regular self. Also, I try to choose the people I hang out with, he said.”

Besides being a chocolate lover and hanging out with friends when he's of the platform, you'd rather caught him traveling as his coolest experience as an artist. Obviously, he’s been to travel to and fro of USA for his crowned performance at WCOPA, besides his local travels for concerts or leisure. Nevertheless, most of the time he stays at home as he said that he's a very domesticated person.

As he was doing so far, Jed dreamed of establishing an international career, “well, just like any local artist, I would like to explore and establish an international career,” he told us. Before anything else, he just wants bring his sound to a north-heading direction where he sees maturity, “to a more mature sound,” he asserts.

Jed's song line-ups are among the most coveted here and abroad, revived or not. But, even as an artist himself he tries to choose among the finest of the best songs to associate with himself. Let Me Love You (From The Bottom of My Heart) speaks something out of him as the one he has chosen and his very first single.

He's strict in standing with the principle of focusing on your craft or music instead of competition if one wants to engineer a musical relationship and career that is reputable. “Not to pay too much attention on competition but focusing on how you can improve your craft,” he points.

Before further bits from his thought, Jed hinted us on his sentiments about music piracy. “Yes. It’s sad to know that our artistic abilities are being limited to such a small scope. Also, if we are so hooked on pirated CDs and internet downloading, we deprive ourselves of the total package. That is why we really poured so much attention to the packaging of my latest album, SR2, so that the consumers will not only enjoy the music but appreciate the artistic input that was put into the album,” he asserts.


ALBUM TALKS

Let's talk about your latest full-length studio record, how do you feel this album differs from your earlier works?
Songs Rediscovered 2 is my 5th album with Universal Records and I think it’s my most personal album since they gave me the entire free-hand in the album; from the choosing of the songs, to the packaging and layout. The 16 tracks are songs that are really close to my heart and each one has a significant meaning to me.

How did you prepare for the new record?
Well, we carefully chose the songs to be included and since there were more than a hundred beautiful songs to choose from, it was a difficult task to narrow them down to 16. Also, we had to meet several times to plan on the look of the album, the artists to work with and the theme of the project.

How does your album reflect your personality?
Since I am known as a balladeer, most of the songs in the album are ballads that have had their share of popularity during the time they were released. Also, these are the songs I grew up with and have significant meaning to my life.

How easy or difficult did you think it was to do your album?
It was a challenge for me because it is not easy to do remakes. When you revive a song, you have to give justice to the original but at the same time; you have to make it sound your own without compromising what the original composers and arrangers want. Another challenge for us was the packaging because we really wanted to sway from the usual square jewel case.

How did you motivate yourself for each song on 'Songs Rediscovered'?
As an actor would with a script, I internalized and understood the “story” of each song. After that, I drew emotions from people around me and from past experiences.

Since you've done cover songs, what do you enjoy about playing covers? How do you decide on which songs would work well as Jed's songs?
Well, as I’ve said, it ain’t easy doing remakes. A lot has to be considered for it to be worth reviving. A consideration would be if the song would match my voice, my image and singing style.

How do you feel this album differs thematically or production wise from the previous albums?
Aside from the fact that Universal Records gave me the freehand on the decision making in all aspects of the project, this album is collectively coined as an all English OPM album.

Do you have any sort of tentative time frame in coming out an all-original album?
This solely depends on the recording label and the trend of the market.

'Everyday' is one of our favorite songs on the album. If you had limited power to make a video for the song and cast anyone in the lead role, who would the girl be?
Wow! There’s a lot to choose from. Just looking on the pool of lovely colleagues I have in ABS-CBN, it’s a big pool to choose from… Bea Alonzo, Kristine Hermosa, Anne Curtis, Nikki Gil.

Do you think that there is an advantage in going out and playing gigs and generating a buzz before actually releasing your album?
Yes. Simply because you are making the people know that a new project is underway.

How do you approach studio recording? Do you attempt to recreate your live sound on the record or vice versa?
There is a big difference with studio recording and live performances. Aside from the technical aspect, the studio is more of a controlled environment while in live performances; you are free to do whatever you want without holding back.

Of all the songs that you have on 'Songs Rediscovered 2', is there one song that means more to you than the others?
It’s hard to choose a single one since all 16 are personal choices from a long list of more than a hundred songs.

What moods do you want your listeners to take away upon listening to your album?
Stress? I just want the listeners to feel relaxed when they listen to my songs.

Did you have a lot of creative control with this album?
Yes. Very much.

♫♫♫

Special Thanks: Pinoy Song Magazine