Adjeng Buenaventura’s happy, feel-good sound

Adjeng Buenaventura has returned to recording and she has such a happy, feel-good sound that simply sparkles. The song is titled Roller Coaster but its effect is nothing like the exciting but scary, screaming, sinking stomach feeling you get on the carnival ride. From its live drums intro to the strings at the end, Roller Coaster is all about pretty moods all-around.

Adjeng is a nickname she got as a kid and it is how she is known in the local music circles.  She is Adrienne Sarmiento in real life. She went full-time into singing after graduation from Miriam College some years ago. She became the lead girl singer of popular showbands like Wink and Sipol. She also worked as a writer, hosted for TV shows and various events, was a model and occasional theater actress.

Despite her many talents, what Adjeng saw as the most important of all was being a singer and songwriter. She enjoyed composing so much that she became a familiar name and I should say, also sound in songwriting contests like Philpop and others. Now, Adjeng still has to win a grand prize in those competitions but she always came close to winning as a finalist.

While she kept up the writing and her being a worship leader in church, she decided to relegate her music to the shelf when she got married. That was how she became a Buenaventura, thanks to her husband Rodrin, who the romantic Adjeng never fails to mention was her high school crush. Then, she had two children, a girl and a boy. And the music writing continued to stay in storage.

But then, COVID-19 happened. With the children now older and with time on her hands at home, Adjeng found the opportunity to revisit her music files and to find magical doors opening up to her songs. She woke up to the fact that the music business has drastically changed and now is the time of songs on online platforms. There is no need for an artist to be signed to a record label and to release physical CDs or cassettes anymore.

So Adjeng took her old songs and uploaded them on the web. With her early singles, O Sige Lang, Walk on Water and If Only now on the web, it only took a little push for Adjeng to reconnect with an old love. Suddenly, she was back with the music and it was like she never left at all.

And that was how Roller Coaster was born. Check it out, we can always use a lighthearted take on life just like what this song says nowadays.

Now also out on various digital platforms are the following:

Kapangyarihan from Ben&Ben. What a video, this is from the acclaimed band. Directed by Dexter Santos, the video uses the theatrical ingredients of history and stories as narrative with choreography, set and costume design in its call for leaders, who can bring about meaningful change to the country. Dramatic and affecting. We often forget. Kapangyarihan translates to power.

Bullet Sun from Ex-Batallion. The beat is as infectious as ever but the mood is sultry summertime with a mellow romantic vibe for the rapping lover boy guys Honcho, Flow-G, King Badger and Emcee Rhenn of today’s top hip-hop group.

Ikaw Lang ang Mahal from Mark Carpio. For more romance, not the summer kind but in the manner of the one of old with its promises of forever, here is balladeer Mark with his latest composition.

Casino by Rivermaya. The new sound though that gave me the goosies combined with irresistible dance moves is Casino. I did say dance. I know the Rivermaya we know is all rock, all sorts of rock but it has now turned out that the legendary band can also dish out great dance tunes. The latest from Nathan Azarcon, Mark Escueta and Mike Elgar is titled Casino. It is about two people who meet and who got their love story moving by dancing. Love this one.