Observers may argue that the late Jamir Garcia was a casualty of the ongoing pandemic. Definitely not, especially if the context is hinged on his passion for music.
That he came out with a digital single called “Paraiso” on what would have been his 43rd birthday last Sept. 5 is a powerful testament that his music meant to shine amidst the infection spikes in the metropolis where he used to galvanize crowds as Slapshock frontman. Add to the plot his brother Kenneth Garcia’s recollection that Jamir often said that a solo album would be “the pinnacle of my musical journey,” then you have an artist whose career survived even his legendary band’s disbandment and a tragic turnout the general public thought silenced him for good.
Released by Rico Blanco’s Balcony Entertainment label, “Paraiso,” is a fine representation of how the man would have musically progressed outside of the Slapshock bubble. It showcased his aggressively melodic chorus-writing which helped Slapshock music endure, his strength in gripping necessary verse tension, and his likable rapping skill. There’s a crucial piano riff appearing from time to time which may have happened because of Blanco’s involvement.
Truth be told, the singer-songwriter being tapped as the song’s producer was a careful decision by the Garcia camp that needed to ask “someone that knew Jamir enough and who Jamir respected,” in the words of tattoo artist Chris Garcia.
“I consider it a great honor and pleasure to finish what Jamir was working on,” shared the former Rivermaya member who himself established a triumphant solo career.
“This project gives me a lot of peace somehow, knowing that I will be able to do this for him. When I heard it, almost immediately, I knew what to do with it – and whenever there were times I had to make decisions on it, I would literally talk aloud and ask for guidance. I really felt at times he was with me in the studio, so I immensely enjoyed the experience of putting this song together,” Garcia added.
Two rock legends, one in fiery flesh; the other in sublime spirit, working on a track that practically broke the internet, quickly garnering around 3,000 reactions and 700 shares when it was announced it is going to be Jamir’s first single off an album’s worth of unreleased material.
Blanco expressed, “We were all wounded with his passing, but hopefully this song gives his fans a chance to properly say goodbye… for now. And through this song and how everything is coming together, it’s almost like a signal that wherever he is, he’s okay. His music will always live on, and I just want his fans to be happy and excited for him.”
The official music video for “Paraiso, produced by Team Manila, should strike rightly in the broken but braving hearts of Jamir’s fans and the whole Slapshock Army.