‘Melladys: Mga Awit sa J.P. Rizal’ Revisits 1970s OPM, Now On Vinyl

Music truly has the power to connect us and preserve the memories and moments of our lives, reminding us of the journey we’ve taken. That’s what the creative minds behind the Melladys: Mga Awit sa J.P. Rizal album set out to capture.

The group, composed of the Mella siblings, Ynocencio Ramel, Gabriel Thaib, Lolita Shaira, and Ephraim Tahir, traces its roots back to the 1970s. At its heart was their late eldest brother, Alejandro Khasim, whose early passing left a profound impact on the family. Melladys: Mga Awit sa J.P. Rizal is a heartfelt tribute to Khasim and to the lasting impact that music has had on their lives.

During the vinyl launch held at 12 Monkeys Music Hall and Pub on June 18, 2025, Tahir, recounted how, in their youth, they would often compose songs together. The ’70s were a time when singing and guitar-playing were ever-present among the Filipino youth, and they recalled how parties often turned into jam sessions while living in Rizal Village, Makati, near J.P. Rizal Street, which inspired the album’s title.

As the years went on, careers and family life took over, leaving their compositions on paper, unrealized. It was Tahir who eventually reignited the passion and compiled their earlier works into a full-blown music production after all these years.

Under the guidance of Filipino jazz legend Johnny Alegre, who served as both producer and arranger, the album perfectly blends the timeless spirit of 1970s Original Pilipino Music (OPM) with modern production and sensibilities. Known for his contributions to the Philippine jazz scene, Alegre envisioned an album that would reflect the authenticity and artistry of the siblings.

The album boasts an impressive pool of musicians who helped it come to life: Medwin Marfil of True Faith, Jazz Nicolas of The Itchyworms, Mikey Amistoso of Ciudad and The Itchyworms, Noel Mendez, Joey Puyat of The Blue Rats and Kiss the Bride, Rommel dela Cruz formerly of Barbie’s Cradle and Freestyle, Paolo Manuel of Kosmikskala and The Jerks, Kakoi Legaspi of Dong Abay Music Organization and Brass Pas Pas Pas Pas, and Marga Jayy, among others.

“The love of music has been very inherent in our lives. And maybe because, growing up, we didn’t really have, you know, television stations were few and far between. There were no computers, no PlayStations, so we had to be creative with how we used our time,” Tahir shares.

The siblings may be amateurs in the music business, but releasing their songs was always about preserving them for posterity, not about fame or profit. After many years of living with their respective families, both in the Philippines and abroad, the siblings reunited to pursue a collective dream.

Revisiting their compositions felt like a rebirth of sorts. Shaira adds, “I think because we’ve gone through so much, you know, life has happened. We’ve lived life. We listened to it differently compared to when we were young […] Now that I’m in my 60s, when the song was sung earlier, it hit me differently.”

The vinyl release not only serves as a reminder of the magic they created decades ago but also as a legacy and a way to ensure their songs live on, even after they’re gone.

Mga Awit sa J.P. Rizal on vinyl is available exclusively at Backspacer Records. It will also be released digitally through Spotify and other streaming platforms via their aggregator, The Orchard.