Filipino-American music director to the stars Troy Laureta has released Kaibigan: A Troy Laureta OPM Collective featuring the voices of world-class artists AILEE, Cheesa, Jake Zyrus, Matt Bloyd, Nicole Scherzinger, Pia Toscano, Regine Velasquez, and Sheléa.
Co-produced with ABS-CBN Music International, Laureta’s Kaibigan album seeks to put legendary Pinoy love songs in the global spotlight.
The fresh music collection, released on Nov. 22, kicks off with a short intro of “Harana” followed by eight Filipino tracks rendered by musicians from the US and Asia performed by Laureta’s friends he met in his musical journey.
South Korean artist AILEE interpreted Martin Nievera’s “Kahit Isang Saglit,” a staple in the Laureta household being one of the karaoke anthems of music director’s father.
YouTube star Matt Bloyd, whom Laureta described as a “phenomenal singer” from Los Angeles is the singer behind the rendition of Jay-R’s “Bakit Pa Ba,” which is one of Laureta’s favorite songs by his OPM songwriting idol, Vehnee Saturno.
America’s The Voice season 2 quarterfinalist Cheesa, meanwhile, rendered the Jessa Zaragoza original “Bakit Pa.”
“I grew up singing ‘Bakit Pa’ with my little sister, Cheesa. We knew we had to revive this song together, put our spin on it and bring it back to our childhood days,” Laureta divulged.
He also tapped former Pussycat Dolls member Nicole Scherzinger to do a version of Regine’s original song “Pangako.”
For the song “Kailangan Kita” written by Ogie Alcasid, he selected American Idol season 10 finalist Pia Toscano to do the interpretation. The New York-based singer who loves Filipino music, according to Laureta, has an incomparable talent for belting out love songs.
Jake Zyrus was chosen to sing “Usahay,” a song Troy dedicates to his grandmother and mother who hail from Cebu. “I wanted to do a stoic, simple version of this song with Jake, concentrating on his tone and drawing out the emotion that exudes from a song like ‘Usahay,’” he said.
Laureta also included “Patuloy Ang Pangarap,” composed by Jonathan Manalo and first recorded by Angeline Quinto, for its encouraging message of following one’s dreams. He tapped the American singer, songwriter, and pianist Sheléa whom he believed was perfect for the song.
Laureta ends the album with a track dedicated to his grandfather, a special rendition of “Hanggang Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan” by Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez.
Kaibigan album is out now on digital platforms worldwide.