Jay R

With revival albums still hot and plenty, one key to surprise listeners is to overhaul the original with much finesse. Platinum Prince of Soul Jay R hit that bull’s eye with his latest single sounding like a good new tune in its opening strains and verse, before making it clear that it is a cover of a hit from Rivermaya. The track is “Himala” and his interpretation can be likened to a miraculous act enough to leave listeners amazed.

“I made sure na simpleng changes lang ang gagawin ko sa song, walang gaanong kulot. Basta nandun pa rin ang essence ng album,” expressed the US bred Filipino musician when asked what was his mindset in recording the ’90s big song penned by Rico Blanco.

Jay R has competently arranged delivery made the cut a standout of a handsomely packaged all-revival album featuring OPM gems, thus it is called “Jay R Sings OPM Love Classics.” The selection released by Universal Records is considerably a high-profile countdown of the finest Tagalog love songs written back in the ’80s and ’90s.

The lucky 13 picks include those made famous by female voices Zsa Zsa Padilla, Sharon Cuneta, Agot Isidro, Rachel Alejandro, and Jaya. This detail enhanced the unpredictability of the renditions, strongly detected in some of the tracks. Case in point is the intro for “Sana Ay Ikaw Na Nga” which has nothing to lead listeners on at least guessing that it is the cover of a Basil Valdez classic.

Jay R sang live his version of “Ikaw Lamang” during his recent album launch at the Linden Suites in Ortigas. He counted this as personal favorite, stating the strong feeling he has for it. Stronger even is his view on his latest CD, he said in the sleeve, “I have been blessed with many projects that have allowed me to grow musically. None more so than this album.”

Once called the Prince of R&B, Jay R scored a platinum hit album with his previous release “Soul In Love.” His signature piece “Bakit Pa Ba?” is culled from “Gameface.”

The host of an upcoming TV dating show has gotten his wish granted with the new album (that comes with a limited edition package available in Odyssey and O record outlets). For him, it was “a lifelong goal, having grown up as a Filipino talent in a foreign land.”

Other likable covers in Jay R’s album are band originals “Huwag Na Lang Kaya,” and “Ako’y Sa Iyo, Ika’y Sa Akin,” Ogie Alcasid’s “Sa Kanya,” and duet song “Muli,” which he performed with Soul Siren Nina. Music video for “Himala” shows the singer romantically sharing scenes with VJ Iya Villania.