Vinyl Release on Backspacer Records starting June 18th
There are songs that connect with listeners because they’re simple and honest. That’s what Mga Awit sa J.P. Rizal is about — a new album of original Filipino tunes written by a group of siblings who call themselves Melladys, and brought to life by some of the country’s most respected professional musicians.
The album was produced by Filipino jazz legend Johnny Alegre, who also gathered the all-star cast ofcollaborators. Alegre, known for his work as a bandleader and trailblazer in the Philippine jazz scene, recognized the heart and sincerity in the Melladys’ songs and envisioned an album that would reflect that same authenticity and artistry.
To record the album, Johnny brought together a stellar roster of Filipino musicians: Medwin Marfil (Truefaith), Jazz Nicolas (The Itchyworms), Mikey Amistoso (Ciudad, The Itchyworms), Noel Mendez, Joey Puyat (Blue Rats, Kiss the Bride), Rommel dela Cruz (formerly with Barbie’s Cradle and Freestyle),Paolo Manuel (Kosmikskala, The Jerks), Kakoi Legaspi (Dong Abay Music Organization, Rivermaya), Johnny Alegre himself, Marga Jayy, and more. Ria Villena-Osorio (formerly of Bamboo) also contributed as an arranger.
Melladys is a wordplay on “Mella,” the surname of five siblings — Alejandro Khasim, Ynocencio Ramel,Gabriel Thaib, Lolita Shaira, and Ephraim Tahir. In the 1970s, the Mella siblings, then never let go oftheir youthful dream of one day recording their original songs.
That dream began to take shape when Ramel reconnected with Johnny Alegre, a former officemate from Ayala Corp. “I started work on one song, which was a lot of fun, and then the next,” Johnny recalls.“Before we knew it, an album’s worth of really good OPM was made.”
Looking at the lyrics and structure of the songs, Johnny says they reminded him of a generation that made music for the joy of it, free of rules or formulas. “They tell the story of an extended family of young friends who gathered after school to create songs without contrived emotion,” he says. “In many ways, they reflected my own experiences as a budding song writer, as many of us ere from my generation, when we just made things up as we went along, and there were no rules.”
On his choice of musicians to record the album with The Melladys, Johnny says: “I felt the songs deserved the best possible creative minds. Jazz Nicolas, Ria Villena-Osorio, Noel Mendez and the rest are topnotch. I had them involved the same way I would have the best people for my own original work.”
The album’s love songs and life reflections come in many forms. “Ikaw, Ako”(with Marga Jayy and Mark Laygo on vocals) explores a couple’s devotion, while “Bituin” (sung by Tahir Mella) describes a romantic prospect as an unreachable star. “Kailangan Ka” (by Medwin Marfil) offers hope amid despair, and “Ito’y Para Sa Iyo” (sung by Mikey Amistoso) draws inspiration from nature “Dambana” (by Carla Guevarra and David Ezra) expresses faith and commitment, while “Pangarap” (by Medwin Marfil) reflects on overcoming challenges. “Gintong Panaginip” (by Tahir Mella) captures the spirit of daydreaming.
Though folk-inspired at its core, Mga Awit sa J.P. Rizal is rich in variety — from upbeat pop and soft rockto bossa nova, kundiman, and contemplative ballads. “I would best describe the album as classic OPM,” says Johnny.
Indeed, it’s OPM with a timeless appeal.
Mga Awit sa J.P. Rizal will be available starting June 18 as a vinyl release exclusively at Backspacer Records. A perfect listen for lovers of OPM, vinyl enthusiasts, and audiophiles who appreciate the warmth and richness of sound, this collection celebrates memory, heritage, and heartfelt songwriting — a timeless addition to Original Pilipino Music.
