Article posted February 06, 2008
Rating:
After the success of her first single, Is it Over, in her latest album Cool Change, Jaya is back to promote her rendition of the James Ingram classic, Just Once. A hot new video accompanies the release of this second single and iGMA was there to give you a behind the scenes glimpse at, what is sure to be, another hit. Text by KC M. Abalos. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio.
Cool Change, Jaya’s new album, features her versions of our favorite jazz and soul classics. The first single, Is It Over has not stopped being played on radio stations nationwide. Jaya is surprised with the reactions of the general public but we are so not!
She shares, “Most of the radio stations, they release pop and most of them are masa based. Ang hirap ilabas ng iba [singles], as far as radio is concerned.”
Then she continues, “But we didn’t think about it. We just thought about the quality. We thought, sing-able ba sya? Madaling kantahin?”
Well, Jaya need not worry. It is obvious that her album is well received by the critics and well loved by the audience. How can we not? With the Soul Diva’s powerful voice belting out songs such as Through the Fire (Chaka Khan), Girlfriend (Julia Fordham) and Points of View (Joey Albert), it is a certified hit. With so many singles to choose from, why did she decide to follow Is It Over with Just Once?
She answers, “’Pag nag-mamall tour kasi kami, ito gusto ng manonood eh, so that’s why we chose this.”
Making the Video
In an old house somewhere in New Manila, we caught up with Jaya as she prepares for what she terms as a “luma-lumaaan” concept for the video. This is the first time she will work with director Milos Kurameng, the guy behind Yasmien Kurdi’s Kisap Mata and Aicelle Santos’ Ikaw Pa Rin video. The Soul Diva narrates the story behind the song.
“Nagkahiwalay na sila. So, I’m singing to someone who’s not here anymore. I’m asking the question, “Can we figure out what we keep doing wrong? Kasi every time we're together we can’t seem to make it right.”
Just when you think she is all serious, she suddenly bursts, “Naiwan ako ng asawa ako. Lungkot-lungkotan, I love it! So, pang-sawi ito!”
The song may be for the “sawi” but there is no doubt that Jaya’s quirky sense of humor is always at the surface despite the “soul” evident in her melancholy songs. Is it difficult for her to “act” heartbroken when she is obviously very happy with her life?
“Di rin! Alam mo naman ako, maarte tlaga ako!” She replies and gives her signature hearty laugh. And, with that, the interview drew to a close.
Check out more behind the scenes photos in the Making the Video gallery!
Talk about Jaya in the iGMA forum
May kuwento pa sa iyo si JAYA. Text JAYA [Your Message] Send to 4627 for Globe, TM, Sun, Smart and Talk ‘N Text. Each text costs Php2.50 for Globe, Touch Mobile, Smart and Talk N’ Text subscribers, and Php2.00 for Sun Cellular subscribers.
