Jed Madela launches new album of all original songs

AFTER HE WON as Overall Champion in WCOPA (World Cup of the Performing Arts) in Hollywood, Jed Madela got offers to stay in the U.S. and cultivate his career there. “But I chose to come home kasi dito ko talaga gusto kumanta,” he says at the launch of his new Universal Records album, “Breathe Again”. “Of course, local singers wants to have an international career, but gusto ko, dito pa rin ako based sa atin. Now, Universal is trying for me to penetrate the Asian market like Indonesia and Malaysia. Magpunta man ako roon to promote, uuwi pa rin ako dito.”

He sings nine original songs in “Breathe Again”. “Kasi lately, di ba puro remakes, cover versions na lang ang ginagawa ng ibang singers. So this time, gusto ko, maiba naman. Give a chance to new composers and their songs. The original songs in my album are ‘Breathe Again’ that’s also the first single, ‘I Have You Here’ by Keith Martin, ‘Someday Soon’ by Keith Martin’s girlfriend, ‘The Only One for Me’ which is originally in Bahasa Indonesia, ‘Let Go’ which is an inspirational song submitted to me sa email by a fan, ‘Your Moment to Shine by a Malaysian composer that I sing with Malaysian singer Nikki Palikat, ‘Ikaw Na Lang ang Kulang’ by Christian Martinez, ‘Larawan’ by the guitarist of my band, and ‘We’re Having a Party’, a dance tune by Keith Martin. The revivals are ‘I Made It through the Rain’ by Barry Manilow, ‘I Believe’ by Fantasia Barrino, ‘Later’ by Fra Lippo Lippi, ‘Bukas na Lang Kita Mamahalin’ by Lani Misalucha and ‘If Ever You’re in My Arms Again’ by Peabo Bryson.”

On November 26, Jed will have a big concert at the CCP Main Theatre with Martin Nievera, Gary Valenciano, Ryan Cayabyab, Ballet Manila and opera singer Clarissa Ocampo. Why in a “sosyal” and not in a more “masa” venue? “I like the acoustics there kasi and most of the people who go to my concert, mga high end daw.”

You can follow Jed on his Jed Madela Facebook Fanpage and on Twitter and twitter.com/jed madela.