Kuh Ledesma is celebrating her 35th anniversary in show business by launching a new album, appropriately titled Memories. She shares fond memories of her career in this casual conversation with tabloid!.
It’s been three and a half decades and you are still making beautiful music. Tell us about your new album.
It’s produced by Universal Records, so this is kind of like my reunion project with them. The album contains songs composed by Cecile Azarcon, including classics such as I Think I’m In Love, One More Try, So It’s You, among others. Special Memory, Huwag Kang Mangako, How Did You Know and Hello.
All the years I have been in this business, I can truly say this is my best compilation yet. It’s the kind of songs that really touch the heart, and will make you fall in love again. This is something that I feel will be appreciated by the younger generation.
Aside from this album, how will you celebrate this milestone in your career?
Well, we’re preparing three major shows which we will stage this year; and hopefully, we can take it abroad as well to various Filipino communities all over the world. We will announce the exact dates and venues soon, so watch out for that. Part of this is the plan to do a reunion of Music and Magic, the group that I belonged to before I went solo — we’re eyeing September for that; and then maybe a US tour in October.
While preparing for the concerts, I am also contemplating on writing a book about my career and the music industry in the Philippines in general. It will contain personal insights about what could probably help the music industry gain a global audience, because I really think we make beautiful music; not just sing well. Sometimes, it’s really the song that carries the music to great heights, not necessarily the popularity of the singer.
There are so many new, young artists now. Yet, your songs remain favourites on the radio. What’s the secret to staying relevant? It’s really the music. Sometimes, the singer can have the perfect voice but the music is not relevant, it will not resonate with the listeners. I have been fortunate to have been given songs that have timeless and beautiful messages that people can relate to.
I have also been blessed with very talented people who have given me the right support; my mentors are some of the best in the industry. I can’t thank them enough for being a part of my artistic journey.
