In 1998, Philippine boy band
Jeremiah, consisting of five nonmusician vocalists, released their debut album,
Heart and Soul. The music is rooted in the passionate, easy-listening love song so popular in the Philippines but is rendered in soulful group harmony.
The group puts much emotion into the songs, as heard in the ballad "'Di Ko Kaya" ("I Can't Take It"), which begins on a penetrating chord progression, leading to emotive singing by a solo vocalist, augmented in spots by the group's equally emotive harmonies. "O Bakit" ("Oh Why") is almost a reprise of "'Di Ko Kaya," and again features emotive, almost lugubrious (read: over the top) singing. Nearly all songs on the album follow this formula. Nine of the album's 11 songs are ballads, and only two -- "Dancing to the Music" and "I Don't Wanna" -- are upbeat. "Dancing to the Music" grooves on a funky backbeat, and features a spirited horn section and provocative percussion (presumably played on synthesizer). The song also features a rap rendered in a somewhat corny, exaggerated manner. "Dancing to the Music" is interesting, but is most notable for providing welcome respite from the ballads.
The album also includes the ballad "Nanghihinayang" ("Regrets Letting the Chance Go By"), a popular radio hit when issued earlier in 1998 on the Labs Kita...Okey Ka Lang ("I Love You...Is That Ok?") soundtrack. The closing ballad, "Tell Me Girl," is performed a cappella. There isn't much that distinguishes these songs from each other, and the album mostly drowns in its own tears. ~ David Gonzales