The thing with a lot of jazz is that it’s just plain intimidating: being one of the highest forms of music left pure and not-so-unadulterated by commercialism, the mere technique of the players behind the music and their abilities to weave the most enchanting yet far-out melodies is downright impressive, and as both young and old audiences know, you’ve got to be able to know what you’re doing when it comes to this music form.  Which is why it used to be that the only ‘more mature’ crowd could appreciate the numerous merits behind the genre.

But then comes along a release like The Powder Room Stories, undoubtedly one of the finest this past year, as it makes listeners realize that jazz is not meant to be totally alienating, but liberating with the free form jams and spontaneity coupled with a fine sense of melody and structure, that makes an already lethal artist like Myra Ruaro (of Brownbeat AllStars/Put3ska fame, who now takes on the moniker “Skarlet”) even better and expand the horizons and capabilities of those like her.

It’s actually pretty easy to hear, as with album opener “Skarlet”, which is a sort of cross between a rightful introduction to Ruaro’s new persona, and at the same time, a rallying cry which she means business all throughout this specific endeavor.  And she proves just that with the well-varied offerings on disc, from the pensive Noli Aurillo-arranged  “One Way Ticket To The Blues”, the slow-tempo , classy ballad “Anguish” and the haunting tale of “Myawong” which albeit its musical progression, remains to be the darkest track on disc: “The shadow is here, black as a crow, fondling your soul/fear tightened its grip/she begged God for help but he was fast asleep”.  Perhaps this is a prime example of the beauty of the genre: saying one thing that doesn’t necessarily sound like the other…sort of an exercise in contrasts or ironies.

And though, there are some tracks that pull out the stops and showcase over-the-top musicianship from Skarlet and the players themselves, like the Scat-infused, Aya Yuson penned “Birdy Bop” which finds both vocal and guitar notes jumping all over the place and skipping both short and wide octaves, plus the driving, rock approach of the drum meaty ”The Way That You Do” there’s also plenty of numbers like hip-swingy “Joy” and the enticing “Im In Love With A Dream”  to cater to those who wish to remain  strict fans of the orthodox styles, licks and tricks of the genre.  After all, even though there is an openness to the abundance of styles that can be fused with the music (check out the Samba/Latin percs and horns on “Babae ka”).  Skarlet is also commendably conscious of not pushing the envelope too far and is respectful enough to keep in mind that there are still certain things that shouldn’t be forced in risk of spoiling the experience.

In short, The Powder Room Stories offer what many albums lack: balance.  Though audibly, Skarlet still has retained the attitude and spunk of her vocal work from singing in two seminal non-jazz groups, she proves that this endeavor is not too far out for her and actually succeeds in making the transition from an exceptional  live performer to a far, mature songwriter and singer.  Obviously, she has one her research, but its still her ability to pull off the most daunting tasks with conviction and without fear that remains to be her strongest points.  If confidence, ambition and maturity could be heard, this is what it would sound like.

Before my interview with Skarlet, I was lucky enough to hang around a bit of the photo shoot for the cover for this month’s LOUD.  With no costume direction whatsoever, she walked in pretty much as you see her here.  Thoughts of Betty Page as a pin-up girl and with a bit of Gwen Stefani and Vernie Varga thrown in her good measure came to mind as the shoot was going on.  And all I need to prove it is right here in your hands.

From two bands and a name change ago, I asked her to give me the down low on her musical evolution…

When the Brownbeat AllStars was formed and we were composing songs for our album, I wanted to fuse elements of ska with the swinging horns of big bands.  While doing my research I stumbled upon the neo-swing movement going on America at the time, spearheaded by Brian Setzer and his Orchestra, Royal Crown Revue and Big Band Voodoo Daddy.  From there I went further back to the greats, Duke Ellington and Count Basie. I have to thank Rhanny Torres for supplying me with a lot of research materials.

Madami din ang natulong ng ska.  Pioneers of ska, the Skatallites, always mentioned that they were influenced by swing big bands and jazz music, like John Coltrane, Thelonius Monk and Charlie Parker.  I fell in love with the music and they became my idols too.  So we (Brownbeat) came out with an album paying tribute to swing and fusing it with ska and other elements like Latin.  Pero…hilaw siya.  We put it out with outpouring passion and we had a grand time doing that.  Sarap eh!  Then as we were doing it, you realize as you go deeper into something, ‘Ah ganito pala ito, madami pa palang kailangan’.  After that, sabi ko ‘stop muna…research muna.’

LOUD: When you say ‘stop’, you mean you take a break from…

SKARLET: Not really take a break.  Di tulad na ng nangyari sa album ng Brownbeat na, “sige sama na natin lahat! Game ganoon agad.  Nagiisip na ako…’teka muna, di pala pwede ang ganito’.

LOUD: When you say that when you stopped, it helped your songwriting when you resumed?

SKARLET: “stop” didn’t mean na di na ako gumawa ng kanta.  It just so happened na di ko lang masyadong pinagtuunan ng pansin na isama ko ang element na yon sa sound ng Brownbeat.  I realized that I have to immerse myself.  But it was not forced, gradual ang nangyari.  I met jazz musicians.  Once in awhile I would jam and front their gigs.  Then I listened to more female jazz singers.

LOUD:  Who would you say you look up to as a female jazz singer?

SKARLET: I heard Ella Fitzgerald and PLAK!  That’s it!  I fell in love.  She’s the best.  For me she’s the greatest singer ever.  I also listened to Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughn.  And realized, Wow! This type of singing is gone.  At that time singers were revered.  Their voices were instruments used as mediums to express emotion.  I love that kind of singing at hindi lang vocal calisthenics at yung pinaka mataas na nota na kaya mong abutin (which) most pop singers are doing now.  Sabi ko ‘I don’t want to do that.  I wanted to study traditional singing’.

LOUD: Traditional?  It seems like the type of singing you’re talking about is more…alternative? Considering what the pop scene looks like now.

SKARLET:  Oh yes!  In fact it’s almost extinct, if not in a coma.  Especially here in the Philippines, sa States nga ganoon din, wala na halos gumagawa noon.  But there are so many singers capable of singing like that.  I just saw Patti Austin and Diane Reeves contemporary pop singers, singing traditional jazz songs at a jazz fest.  And they were marvelous!  But I think it’s a matter of marketing.  A lot of people don’t want to get into that because it doesn’t sell.

LOUD: How about in the local scene?  Are there any female singers you look up to or would like to work with?

SKARLET:  There are several but ill limit it to two or three.  Unang una si Cooky Chua, because she’s a friend and an inspiration…at ka-generation ko! (laughs)  Kaming dalawa na lang ang natira.  Kasi natural lang. Nandoon lang kami.  Ok! (gives a thumbs up).  Good time lang! Di ba?  We follow our hearts!  (more laughing).  Second, si Susan Fernandez.  Pangatlo, not for anything else, dahil curious lang ako.  Most of the time kasi, dito sa eksena ng jazz, sinasabi nila sa akin, “you have a semblance to Vernie Varga and you even exude the same aura when she was younger’.  Di lang minsan, actually madalas sa gigs people tell me, “akala ko pumasok si Vernie Varga”.  Ganoon na ba ako ka-sexy?” (laughs again).  I haven’t seen her in person yet.

LOUD:  I saw Vernie Varga perform about 2 years ago.  I don’t know how old she is but God she’s HOT!  Inay ko po!  You should try to catch her live.

SKARLET:  haaay! I’ve seen her on youtube with Bobby Enriquez.  Basta gusto ko siya maka-trabaho!  Another one na gusto ko rin makatrabaho si Annie Brazil, the Queen of Philippine Jazz.  I almost did a gig with her pero na-late ang flight niya.  Augh!  It was such an honor na sinabi ng matatanda na “Ayan, ka-duet mo si Annie Brazil”.  Di naman nila ako ipapahamak.  Sayang di natuloy!

LOUD: at alam nila kaya mo.  What about the younger, up and coming singers?  Who stands out for you?

SKARLET:  Si Mishka Adams.  Naka-trabaho ko na si Mishka.  She’s a very talented girl.  Multi-talented pa nga eh.  I think she’s so lucky.  Bata pa siya, na-pursue na nya ito.  Had I known about jazz at her age?  Oh God!  Ang saya siguro!  Oblivious pa ako noong bata pa ako.  Underground!  Punk! At yun lang.  Natutuwa ako sa younger artists who are picking jazz up.  Yung sa Up Dharma Down…

LOUD:  Si Armi?

SKARLET:  Si Armi.  I can sense na maganda boses niya.  And another one na gusto ko rin makatrabaho, na ka-generation ko rin, although she’s from the other side of musical fence, si Bituin Escalante.  Yes, I want to work with her.  Ang galing ng vocal stylings nya.  Na –justify nya ang feelings ng kanta.  Yun ang idea ko ng ‘beautiful’.

LOUD:  Speaking of “beautiful” I noticed the cover of your new album, Skarlet The Powder Room Stories.  Lets talk about that.

SKARLET:  the video for the first single, “Skarlet”, should be out soon

LOUD:  I haven’t seen a video with that on the title screen for awhile…

SKARLET:  Natatawa nga ako. “Skarlet” by Skarlet from the album Skarle. It has the sub-title “The Powder Room Stories” kasi kung gagawan ko ng snippets ang buhay ko, nandito na ang mga pinakanatatandaan ko.  Mga milestones sa buhay ko.  May masaya.  May malungkot.  May kanta akong sinulat 15 years ago, na nasagot na ng kanta na nasulat ko 6 months ago.  I had to dig up yung ibang songs para maintindihan na “Bakit nandito ako”.  Interconnected ang kanta ko.

LOUD:  I take it’s a very personal album

SKARLET:  Yes its personal and sacred to me.  It’s my story.  It’s a vain but I can’t talk about something I don’t know about.  Yung pananaw ko sa singing now is not just for entertainment value.  It’s a release.  Ultimately it’s for expression.

LOUD:  I noticed not all the songs are Skarlet’s compositions.

SKARLET:  The album has 14 cuts.  Ten are original compositions.  Out of the ten, one is composed by Aya Yuson, my guitar player.  There are 4 renditions,  2 of which are foreign.  “Call Me”, the Blondie hit from the 80’s by Debbie Harry and Giorgio Moroder.  Then we also have a blues/jazz rendition of “One Way Ticket To The Blues”.  Of the 2 local renditions,  one is an original from The Executives Band written by Mr. Francis Manglapus and Mr.  Freddie Kauffman, it’s called “Im In Love With A Dream”.  It’s a song from the late 50’s or early 60’s, old school.  Then the other one is “Babae Ka”, which is a composition of Ani Montano.  Metro Pop winner siya noong late 70’s, wala siyang radio airplay in the 70’s because of its lyrical content.  The original singer is Susan Fernandez.  It’s about women’s empowerment and waking up the women.

LOUD:  Would it be wrong then If I said more power to you, to women and the new album?

SKARLET:  syempre ok lang yon no. Yeah!  (with fist in the air)

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE RECORDING ARTIST

BEST PERFORMANCE BY A NEW FEMALE RECORDING ARTIST

BEST JAZZ RECORDING

for my original 'Skarlet'

for more details, please log on www.awitawards.com.ph. 

I would also like to heed your support on the upcoming IKON PHILIPPINES competition whereas i was chosen as one of the finalist for the solo category.  Support me by texting:

 IKON <space>25<space> SKARLET and send it to 2861

for Globe/Smart and Sun subscribers.

Girls wanting to break into the music business these days have only a few but very definitive options.  There is the singing champion like Sarah Geronimo; the rocker chic, think of the sweet but tough Kitchie Nadal; the bossa nova babe a la sultry Sitti; and the acoustic siren with the haunting call of Juris Fernandez of MYMP.  Of course, there are always openings among the Hot Babes or the Sexbomb dancers for the attractive but vocally challenged.

I think the package screams ‘hey, we can do this too!’.  And Myra accompanied by some of the musicians around does it very well indeed.  Get a load of what she does with pop standards Call Me and One Way Ticket To The Blues.  Other songs included are Skarlet, Lullaby for Ganei, Anguish, Babae Ka, Myawong, Stay with Me, Birdy Bop, Goodbye Roby Jean, Joy and Words Behind Tears.

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

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.

It's a great select! While drinking, cleaning the house, dinning, dancing and more! Plus your mama and your papa won't knock at your door and have you turn it down! Skarlets voice couldn't sound any better! To me she just kicked every local female musician to date! It's everything an album should be... the musician here just brought us back to school!

Her voice is sexy, strong and has one of the best characteristics that make her so tangibly sweet! It feels like she's whispering in your ear. Plus great inlays makes it worthwhile buying... legally!!

1. SKARLET - Ballroom, gangsters, Betty Boops, powder rooms, vintage showgirls, Las Vegas, Chicago feel! Put on your fancy pants and dancing shoe's take your girl for a ride in your daddy's Cadillac and paint the town red!!! Urban Philippines wont be the same with this in your CD player!

2. Call me - this remake still has that 50's feel to it but sounds more like a 70's jazz to me.... You can't go wrong with a great song and a singer this good behind the wheel.

3. One way ticket to the blues - very simple, elegant and is very "stage-lounge" sound. I love its simplicity and is lyrically brilliant... melancholy never sounded so fun!

4. Lullaby for Ganie - I don't know if people get this or if it is intentional... but the way she sang this song reminded me so much Basia. Again very simple with the strip down tonal guitar playing and vocals. Vivid is the best way to describe her lyrics.

5. Anguish - Sweet ambience the drums sounded so real it feels like they are playing in front of you. The passing fill-in of the guitars and piano gave that free style feel that jazz was always so noted for. Strong lyrics great start to end.

6. Babae Ka - Hello `70s! Square cars driving in `70s Roxas Boulevard. I never really liked girl power themed song but its an exemption in this case its okay. It even has that theater sound! The brass is so `70s old movie sounding it just makes it such a treat to listen to!!

7. Myawong - dark but hopeful. This will sound great with a matched music video! Its sounds to personal, for me to understand with just browsing. The play here is vocal and lyric intensity is complimented with minimal instrumentals!

8. Stay with me - Sexy beats, and play... it just blows that the inlay didn't show its lyrics... also the beep bop was an absolute treat!!! Karl Roy would have a run for his money for this one.

9. Birdy Bop - Run Karl! Run!

10. Goodbye Ruby Jean - this sound more like "Hotel Chicago blues" rather than Jazz. Perfectly rolled lyrics. Painful song! And that's just a blues addicts candy.

11. The way that you do - Dance Rock n Roll... but still holds on to that crossover sound. But nevertheless still "jazz heavy" as not to be criticized as "pogi-jazz", as I heard from my college professor who played jazz heavy, and described crossover as pogi jazz.

12. I'm in love with a dream - Again that Basia feel! Her approach to her singing is smooth, sexy and intense! Again it blows that they didn't print its lyrics.

13. Joy - it has its great moments also it has plateaus more than the other song in the album. But what do you expect from a song called joy! The best part in this song is the catchy instrumentals!! Great stanzas! The chorus just didn't hit me as the catchy stanzas.

14. Words Behind The tears - smooth...

Okay, all I can say is that this type of production should be the benchmark for artists and producers! The Philippines is so abundant with talent and I've never seen or heard of an album this well produced...Eraserheads albums would be second, the P.O.T. album would be third in my list and fourth would have to be Brain Salad. When I say well produced, I mean everything from the inlay, to the quality of the recording, the songs etc... I hate it when a good song is stuck in a seemingly low grade CD... it makes the songs sound muffled and ugly.

The way this album is built from its artistic value to the physical value is the best so far.... Too girly for my taste in term of the inlay choice of colors... but it's the best for me nevertheless.

True music lovers and educated musicians will like this album easily! Naturally, posers won't get this by a mile! They can still pretend though!

Enjoy the album and buy it legally.... It's worth it!

by John Lee of www.getzmo.com

please post your comments about the album if you clikc this album review link which will be found at the lower half of the page:

http://www.getzmo.com/article.html?id=328

by Ian Emmanuel C. Urrutia (March 1, 2007)

link: http://philmusic.com/main/content/view/94/8/

  "The CD release marks Skarlet’s re-emergence as the new Philippines’s Jazz Princess."
 
Pop Times Magazine

"She’s mannered in an Eartha Kitt way doing Ella Fitzgerald style standards – all in an Asian Bettie Page package."
 
Inquirer

Tuesdays
Let's Get It On Piano Bar
Muralla Street, Intramuros
(in front of Letran Dorm)
Manila City

Thursdays
CHAKIK's
Julia Vargas Street
(beside Razons, near Pier 1)
Ortigas, Metro Manila