Kuh Ledesma - The Voice & The Violin (1994)

In 1994, Philippine female artist Kuh Ledesma released The Voice & the Violin. The album features the notable appearance of American jazz violinist Noel Pointer, who plays on a number of tracks here, adding elegant, incisive touches. The Voice & the Violin contains mostly slow, middle-of-the-road tunes. Opening the album is "Manila," a moderately spirited, middle-of-the-road tune that has a slight bossa nova ambience. The syncopated drumming adds a distinctive touch. The song is highlighted by a graceful, jazz-influenced violin solo by Noel Pointer. Kuh Ledesma and Noel Pointer sing a duet on the sensuous "Posing," with music composed by Noel Pointer (and lyrics by Turmail Peter). Noel Pointer has an expressive, enjoyable voice, and the two singers make nice music together. "Dito Ba" (Is It Here?) is an instrumental performed in a contemporary jazz vein that showcases the violin playing of Noel Pointer, who initially plays the melody in a beautiful, expressive manner and then soars into elegant improvisation. Throughout the album, elegance seems to ooze from Noel Pointer's fingertips. "Save the Sunlight" opens on a pulsating bassline before sliding into a middle-of-the-road ambience; Kuh Ledesma, of course, imbues much sincerity, but the highlight of this song and perhaps the album as well is the incisive, dramatic violin solo performed by Noel Pointer in a mesmerizing minor key. The middle-of-the-road ambience on The Voice & the Violin can get boring after awhile, but the majestic touches applied by Noel Pointer nearly compensate for this. Besides, Kuh Ledesma is always nice to listen to.~ Review by David Gonzales