Time To Shine

Album review

In 2001, Philippine female singer Karylle released her debut album, Time to Shine, on local independent Universal Records. Immediately, a listener notices that Karylle possesses a stunning, versatile voice. She is the best singer to emerge in the Philippine music scene in some time. Significantly, the music on Time to Shine is not the bland, easy listening sound so often purveyed by Philippine solo artists. Instead, the music on Time to Shine is modern and contemporary, and includes such styles as urban, pop and balladry. There's even a touch of country-pop. Karylle is a teenager and sounds mature beyond her years. The opening "Angel of My Heart" is a soulful ballad, and sounds like something Whitney Houston or Mariah Carey might sing. Karylle's poise and assurance on this song is truly admirable. Another ballad, "I Was Looking for Someone to Love," is a remake of an American song and contains American country-styled guitar playing, including a touch of steel pedal guitar, and Karylle delivers the words with a country-pop ambience, reminiscent of Faith Hill or Shania Twain. Karylle duets with German teenage pop singer Gil on the gorgeous ballad "Calling." "It's My Time (Time to Shine)" is a funky, urban-inflected number, and Karylle even brings some admirable sass to the song. The songwriting, most of which was done by Philippine composers, is strong throughout the album. This is an amazing album.
© David Gonzales /TiVo