In 2000, Philippine female singer
Janet Basco released
Love Is Right. The album is dominated by middle-of-the-road and easy listening love songs, styles of music quite popular in the Philippines.
Basco's vocal performance ranges from adequate to not-so-adequate. Her lack of depth is noticeable in a number of ballads, including "Tinig Ng Langit" (Voice of Heaven), "Stay My Love," and
Sergio Mendes' "Waiting for Love," where the songs cry out for stronger performances. Her singing isn't bad, and she can carry a tune, but she needs more depth and personality. Still, she sounds better on some songs than others. Her performance on the opening "Kiss Me Goodbye," for example, is adequate. The song is a remake of an international middle-of-the-road hit, and has a simple, catchy melody and an engaging chorus, and is the kind of song that is popular in local karaoke nightspots. The Philippine-composed "Love Is Right" and "It's Better to Have Loved" are two of the album's better ballads.
Basco sings in a stronger manner than usual on "Love Is Right," as though relishing the moment. Still, the songs would sound better if someone with a more powerful and expressive voice, such as Philippine female singer
Kuh Ledesma, for example, sang them. The songs on
Love Is Right are mostly nondescript and bland, yet a song such as the tender "Tinig Ng Langit" (Voice of Heaven) has potential, but
Basco fails to instill the passion needed to bring the song to life. ~ David Gonzales