2009- Brand New Year, Brand New Album

A  fan once told Rica Arambulo, “Whenever I hear you sing your songs, I’m taking a glimpse into your inner world.  It’s almost as if I can tell what’s going on inside of you.”  Very well put, indeed.

True artists never compromise.  Several years ago, Rica’s landmark eponymous debut cd earned critical and commercial acclaim, even gathering a few award nominations along the way.  Her breakthrough single Summer’s Here ruled the airwaves for several summers; dreamy concoction Ikaw at Ako Pa Rin, the classic Opm ballad, continues to be one of the most requested songs at weddings.  Incidentally, the latter’s music video was directed by award-winning Paolo Dy, featuring Rovilson Fernandez and Cathy Azanza, as lovers from two realms.

Rica Arambulo the cd, while simultaneously released locally, was the first Philippine-produced studio album to be sold on cdbaby.com, the top independent music site in the United States, catering to online buyers worldwide – selling cds and  digital downloads.   Rica’s sold-out solo concert, Que Rica! A Toast to the Music of Rica Arambulo, was one of the best-produced concerts in 2008. According to Teatrino manager Jackie Infante, Que Rica! “was the best concert ever mounted at Teatrino”.  Top composer Louie Ocampo gushed, “Que Rica! took me on a journey, it transported me to a faraway place..”  Indeed, no stone was left unturned.  Complementing Rica’s smooth, creamy rich vocals and the sparkling, soaring tones of the grand piano were the country’s top musicians, lush accompaniment of the gifted Suzuki String ensemble, the liquid, jewel-toned lighting projections, seamless script and direction.  Guests the CompanY, shone bright with their vocal harmony and wit;  Arnell Ignacio literally left the audience in stitches.

This year marks the release of her much-anticipated new album, AM I.   Why so long in coming?  “I had to wait for the creative juices to flow…for the seeds of inspiration to germinate, to snowball, until all those elements came together as a whole.  It’s a painful, difficult process.  What else haven’t I written about?   I needed to live my life, go through a few relationships, highs and lows, in order to come up with fresh material for the album.  In my case, art mirrors life.”  The true artist in Rica couldn’t put out anything half-baked.  “In all things, if you can’t do your absolute best, better not to do it at all.”  (Striving for excellence is probably a trait she learned well from her mother, a world-renowned piano educator.)  The result of her meticulous efforts is a polished, flawless collection of songs, all bursting with freshness.  “Gone” is inspired by both the passion of Spain and the pain of a doomed relationship.  “Our Little Dreams” is Rica’s emotional cry after the twin towers in New York crumbled to the ground.  The rock-infused “Am I?” is about unwavering loyalty and unconditional love.

“Lagpas langit” an ode in metaphor to a love newly discovered.  “Perfect Weather” is old-fashioned, unpretentious, starry-eyed.  “Letting Go” is a confession about lingering feelings after a break-up.  “Simplify” is a friend’s gentle reminder to travel light, perhaps also in life.  “In My Dreams” delves into the “strange, awkward yet familiar, confounding” images on one’s subconscious tv screen.

Wearing the producer’s hat, Rica oversees every aspect of production.  “I have the freedom to express my creativity in the medium I love best.  I’m really grateful; it’s not everyday that one is given a chance to do this. It’s a privilege and a blessing.”