album review: 4 women, 4 albums

by Pocholo Concepcion, Philippine Daily Inquirer (April 11, 2007) 

GOING SOLO

Almost 20 years ago, a friend was bowled over by the gutsy singing of a young Myra Ruaro, who had been doing  occasional gigs with the band  Adourn Delirium at the Old Red Rocks, predecessor of Club Dredd Timog.

In 1995, Ruaro became the lead vocalist of Put3ska, one of the most exciting acts of the local alternative music scene.  Much later, she fronted Brownbeat AllStars.

Now Ruaro has changed not only her act, but her name as well — going solo as jazz artist Skarlet with an excellently produced debut CD called 'The Powder Room Stories' (Candid Records).  Skarlet introduces herself as a New Orleans-type cabaret queen: 'Watch me as i paint the town frou frou red…'

The jazz we hear is exceptional, swinging and bopping with dynamism, including possible the most elegant-sounding ballads this side of the equator.  Skarlet's phrasing has a nasal twang that seems indecipherable as affectation.  Could be an instinctive reaction to the smoking hot performance of her  guest musicians (and awe-inspiring work of her arrangers) — incidentally among the country's best and brightest: Edgar Avenir, Noli Aurillo, Koko Bermejo, Henry Katindig, Bo Razon, Simon Tan, Ronald Tomas and Aya Yuson, to name a few

REVELATION

Skarlet herself is a revelation.  Aside from self-penned originals in which she displays an amzing facility  with words and images ("MyaWong", "Joy" and "Skarlet"), the covers ("Debbie Harry "Call Me", Ano Montanos "Babae Ka" and "One Way Ticket to the Blues") are wonderful stuff

- excerpt from '4 women, 4 albums' album review by Pocoholo Concepcion of Philippine Daily Inquirer publsihed last April 11, 2007

Skarlet April GIG Schedule

COOL JAZZ FOR HOT NIGHTS PROMO TOUR

April 28 (Saturday) @ EASTWOOD CITY, Citywalk 2.  Performance starts at 7 in the evening

Mondays (Duet with Danny on piano) - Kenny and D, ortigas home depot,
8:30

Tuesdays (Trio with Simon and Aya) - NUVO, greenbelt 2, 8:30. open bar
on all Rene Barbier Wines after the 2sets, that's around 11pm.

Thursdays (Quartet) - CHAKIK's, Julia Vargas, Citigolf compound

Saturdays (Duet with Prof Jun Cadiz on piano)- CAPISCE, metrowalk.