STUDDARD. Waxes cleverly chosen revivals that don’t sound like karaoke staples
Ruben Studdard calls “Unconditional Love,” his sixth studio album, the “recording that everybody expected from me when I won ‘American Idol’ in 2003.” Thanks to executive producer David Foster, the disc compiles cleverly chosen revivals that don’t “sound” like karaoke staples. In fact, it is Studdard’s most accessible—and best— album to date!
The 35-year-old singer has been in the news lately for his forays into theater (he portrayed Harlem stride-style innovator Fats Waller in the stage musical, “Ain’t Misbehavin’”), as well as his “revelatory” return to reality TV—as “The Biggest Loser’s” first celebrity contestant: During the show’s finale last month, the 6’3”, 462-lb singer revealed that he had shed off 119 lb—and he intends to lose more!
While those projects do add dimension and color to Studdard’s evolving public persona, it’s in music where he truly dazzles. In his brand-new compilation, he reinvents himself as a cross between Luther Vandross and Freddie Jackson (“You Are My Lady”), putting his urban-soul spin on Boonie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” “They Long To Be (Close To You),” Neil Diamond’s “Hello Again” and Boz Scagg’s “Love, Look What You’ve Done To Me” (from the movie, “Urban Cowboy”)—and making them sound new.
The singer is seamless in the gospel-tinged “Conditional” and the original song he cowrote with Foster, “Meant To Be,” which echoes the sentimental hook of Rod Temperton’s “Always and Forever.” He niftily croons Marvin Gaye’s “If This World Were Mine” (with Lalah Hathaway) and Michael Bublé’s “Home,” a bonus track in the album’s Deluxe edition, to bluesy perfection.
Studdard’s current musical sizzle is best represented by the upbeat swagger and lush harmonies he incorporates into Paul McCartney’s classic ballad, “My Love.” His gorgeous “deconstruction” of the album opener, “The Nearness of You,” is another should-hear: Its well-loved melody has become almost unrecognizable, but the tune is rendered with so much love and vocal pizzazz that, instead of complaining, you end up acquiescing—and grooving along to it!
SALVADOR. Chooses songs that play well to her strengths
Maja sings–and zings
What’s the lowdown on “Believe,” Maja Salvador’s debut album? As an actress-dancer, the lovely 25-year-old comer has always been perceptive and intuitive. But, we must admit that we didn’t have high hopes for her singing ability.
The proof of the musical pudding is in the listening, however—and we’re happy to note that Salvador’s six-track recording is more than just another popular actor’s exercise in self-indulgence: As she demonstrated in her one-off recording of “Mr. Disco” some years ago, Maja can carry a tune—and chooses material that plays well to her plus points!
With tunes like Jonathan Ong’s “Kilig” and “Halika Na” (featuring hotshot rapper Abra), Maja’s songs convey a cheery vibe that recalls the heyday of the Manila Sound. She knows she won’t benefit if she mimics Regine Velasquez’s spotless version of “Urong-Sulong” or Jaya’s rousing rendition of “Wala Na Bang Pag-ibig?”—so, she sings them her way, and brings out a more-than-serviceable voice that has its share of strengths and vulnerabilities.