Jolina Explained

Jolina
Type:studio
Artist:Jolina Magdangal
Cover:Jolina_Magdangal's_Record_Album.jpg
Genre:Pop
Length:43 minutes
Language:English, Tagalog
Label:Star Music
Prev Title:A Wish Comes True
Prev Year:1996
Next Title:On Memory Lane
Next Year:2000

Jolina is the second studio album by Filipino singer and actress Jolina Magdangal released by Star Music on January 9, 1999. The album consists mostly of passionate, easy-listening love songs, a style of music quite popular in the Philippines.[1] Five of the tracks on the album were originally used as soundtrack in various movies she starred to which include "Tameme" and "Sana'y Kapiling Ka" in the film F.L.A.M.E.S.: The Movie (1997), the re-recorded "T.L. Ako Sa'yo" and her cover of "Tulak Ng Bibig, Kabig Ng Dibdib" in Kung Ayaw Mo, Huwag Mo! (1998), and "Kapag Ako Ay Nagmahal" in Labs Kita... Okey Ka Lang? (1998).[1] The only American song remake in the album is the studio recording of Anita Bryant-original "Paper Roses" which Magdangal sung on a drama anthology television program, Maalaala Mo Kaya.[1]

The opening song "Laging Tapat" was the first single released from the album which remained in the list of top radio charts nationwide for over 10 weeks.[2] The follow-up single was her version of "Paper Roses", which became an instant favorite in the Philippines.[2]

On October 1, 1999, the album was awarded with a 4× platinum certification[3] by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI) and was officially declared by PARI as the biggest commercial success and the biggest seller of the year 1999 in the Philippines.[4] Eventually, it was certified with a 7× platinum for achieving more than 280,000+ units sales[5] and became one of the best selling albums of all time in the Philippines.

Critical reception

The album received mixed reviews from music critics with David Gozales of allmusic.com saying "the music is mostly easy-listening... it tends to be a bit boring".[1] Gonzales, however, praised Magdangal's singing by saying "though the pieces are not very challenging, there is an appealing ring to a good portion of the music, made more palatable by Magdangal's poise and assured delivery".[1] He then continued praising a selection of tracks, saying "Paper Roses... is the best song on the album... "Laping Tapat" has a penetrating melody impassioned by the vocalist's effort. "Kapag Ako'y Nagmahal" is a standout ballad which she also brings to full life. This song is also made distinctive by the trenchant use of a string section."[1]

Commercial performance

Within few days of its release, the album was declared by Tower Records as one of the top five sellers in the Philippines.[2] Jolina remains to be one of the best selling albums of all time in the Philippines with a 7× platinum certification[4] [5] and holds the record as the biggest commercial success of the label Star Music which led to Magdangal being credited as the Queen of Star Music.[6]

Personnel

Adapted from the Jolina liner notes.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Jolina album review. allmusic.com.
  2. Web site: JOLINA DOES NOT FIT THE MOLD, THANK GOD!. newsflash.org.
  3. Web site: PARI List of Awardeed. pari.com.ph.
  4. Web site: Spotlight on Jolina Magdangal. abs-cbn.com.
  5. Web site: Jolina is coming back to her first love, and it's probably not what you're expecting!. onemusic.ph.
  6. Web site: The return of Star Music's Queen, Jolina Magdangal. onemusic.ph.
  7. . Jolina. Liner Notes. Star Music. 1999.