Ruffa-Kris issue far from over
BY MARIO BAUTISTA
Rachel Alejandro releases
‘Believe’ under Sony Music
It has taken six years for recording artist, stage actress and entrepreneur Rachel Alejandro to come up with a new album and music lovers better "Believe" it’s worth the wait.
According to Rachel, the 13 tracks in "Believe" were chosen so carefully that she refused songs submitted to her by friends (some of whom are big names in the industry) when these didn’t fit the bill. "It was hard telling them ‘no’ because what they wrote were really very good songs. But in the end, we couldn’t just settle for ‘very good’- we wanted the best," she said.
The album’s carrier single, "Tayo Pa Ba?" is written by Edith Gallardo and Nino Regalado. Rachel admits crying the first time she heard it. "I had just broken up with my boyfriend then so I was able to relate to the song. ‘Tayo Pa Ba?’ is about two people who have supposedly moved on from their relationship but are still thinking secretly that what they had may still be worth one more chance."
The song is in the vein of Rachel’s biggest hits such as "Paalam Na," "Bulag sa Katotohanan" and "Kay Tagal" that all tell of real situations versus mere generic messages.
Released under Sony Music Entertainment, "Believe" also contains the songs "Bakit Hindi Tayo?" (penned by Cholo Escano), "Hanggang" (an Amber-Marcus Davis collaboration) and "The Rain" (written by Rachel herself). The remakes are "You Were There" (by Southern Sons done as a duet with her father, Hajji Alejandro), "Xanadu" (Olivia Newton John), "Don’t Stop Believing" (Journey) "Alone" (Heart) and "There’s A Fine, Fine Line" (from the musical "Avenue Q").
Rachel is part of the puppet-meets-person musical, "Avenue Q," that runs at Carlos P Romulo Theater at the RCBC Plaza in Makati City from March 12-27. Produced by Atlantis Productions, the singer plays Kate Monster and Lucy the Slut in the Tony Award-winning show. To those who wish to get tickets to "Avenue Q" for the March 12 and 19 playdates, you may call or text 09178-AVENUE for ticket reservation and delivery.
Rachel describes "Believe" as a pop album; one that’s easy to listen to but canvasses the geniuses of some of OPM’s finest songwriters and producers. "I was able to give my voice a rest these past years which now allows me to use its full strength and range," said she.
Apart from the album and "Avenue Q," Rachel is about to launch new menu items for her and her sister’s business, The Sexy Chef. They will soon launch the Calorie Controlled food items, among others. Rachel will also be in the US in April for some shows with Geneva Cruz. She’ll go to New York end of the year to take up skating lessons in preparation for her role in "Xanadu."
Launched in "ASAP XV" last March 7, Rachel says "Believe" reflects her rekindled purpose as an artist. "If you’re someone like me who has been around, you know that it’s easy to lose sight of why you entered the business in the first place. This album reasserts my belief that new good music still exists. That in these days of the revivals, fresh materials still have a place in the OPM scene," she concludes.