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.