Jaya

Queen of Soul Jaya has somewhat earned her title for being that experienced, having scored a number of hit singles, and appearing frequently effective on TV. This makes her credible enough to tackle the issue on how arguably shaky the way talents are being scouted this time around when televised singing contests and reality TV shows have produced recording artists almost overnight.

During her album launch last Monday at Hard Rock Café, the GMA-7 star found it a bit uncomfortable to answer a query about the matter which she believes she’s not in a position to discuss. But then she replied in her usual tone of clarity, “Hindi siguro nasasala ang mga talents with text voting being the main judging point kasi madadaan sa salapi para manalo. You can tell the inexperience of some (neophyte recording artists) when performing on TV. Sana lang talents are really judged properly.”

The daughter of Elizabeth Ramsey also zeroed in on the main criteria needed to deserve a title as some young singers today are blessed with titles of their own even with debatably weak track record. She noted, “Longevity is really the key to prove that you deserve being recognized. That is why there are those who come out with a few songs then mawawala na. I have no problem with people earning titles. Besides nobody does ask to give him or her a title. Kung sino man ang nagbigay sa akin ng title hanggang ngayon hinahanap ko pa rin siya para magpasalamat.”

Projecting the professional, tried and tested aura she possesses, Jaya sang six songs to launch her album “Real. Love. Stories” which she promised would be her last containing revival songs. The 14-track is an all-foreign covers musical output with the Kenny Rankin original “Hiding Inside Myself” as carrier single. Its video, showing her in numerous close-up shots and directed by the notable Milos Curameng, was put on prior to her live set that no doubt treated the media people present at the venue.

She opened her performance with the Michael Randall composition “All Of My Life” followed by “Finding Out The Hard Way,” a piece she recalled singing when she was 12, in connection stating that she was just forced by her mom to become a singer.

“I really challenged myself recording this album. I was recording while I was six months pregnant and it’s very hard to record when you are pregnant,” she stressed.

The album released by GMA records generally picked admirable tunes which made sense being an all-revival thing. Some of these are Al Jarreau’s “After All” which is a good opening number considering Jaya’s seemingly effortless take, Vanessa Williams’ “Save The Best For Last,” Toni Braxton’s “Breathe Again” and “Old Friend,” which her “SOP” co-host Kyla recently revived and released as single via another label.

Other album tracks she performed during the launch were “I Won’t Last A Day Without You,” the upbeat “I Will Survive,” which she dubbed as gays’ theme song, her encore “I Just Can’t Let Go,” and “Real Love,” a not-so-popular piece she found likable hearing on jazz FM stations.

“I hope you find your own song in the album. I’m sure there’s one here that would tickle your heart,” stated Jaya who expressed missing singing worth-recording originals like “Dahil Tanging Ikaw,” her signature hit.

A strong follow-up to her gold record “Cool Change,” “Real. Love. Stories” is produced by former True Faith member Ferdie Marquez and sound engineered by Topher Navarro. Jaya is extra happy knowing she was that involved in its making.