MANILA, Philippines—Pop music fans are a fickle and persnickety bunch. Over the weekend, we listened to a good number of albums to find out what music buffs are raving—or ranting—about. Our top picks this week are Lani Misalucha’s “Reminisce” and Noelle Cassandra’s self-titled debut album, “Noelle Cassandra.”

Misalucha is already based in the US, but she continues to whet Pinoy fans’ appetite for her music by coming home during breaks from her gigs in Las Vegas. Unsurprisingly, Asia’s Nightingale is in top vocal shape in “Reminisce,” which features a well-chosen lineup of covers that benefit from her soulful and sultry performing style.

While not as technically polished as her previous album (there are phrasing and diction gaffes that a trip to the studio could have easily remedied), the album is a must-have for music buffs who want to hear their favorite standards sung clearly and beautifully. The repertoire includes “Here, There and Everywhere,” “Someone That I Used to Love,” “We Could Have It All,” “I Loved You All the Way” and a medley of “Where Is The Love?” and “(Feel Like) Making Love.”

More contemporary sound

This time around, Misalucha’s singing is more subdued. She gives Freddie Mercury’s “Love of My Life,” Donna Summer’s “Whispering Waves,” Oleta Adams’ “Get Here,” Kansas’ “Dust in the Wind,” Deniece Williams’ “Healing” and America’s “Tin Man” a more contemporary sound.

The choice of songs is impressive, but a lineup with more OPMs would have been greatly appreciated. Unfortunately, there’s only one local tune in the track listing: Joey Albert’s “Iisa Pa Lamang,” which Lani renders with empathetic, show-stopping verve.

For her part, performer/athlete Noelle Cassandra’s harp-powered tunes remind us of the stirringly magical melodies conjured up by Windham Hill’s roster of jazz and world-music artists in the early ’90s, as well as the middle-of-the-road sound of the late Manila-based Japanese instrumentalist, Tadao Hayashi.

The classically trained, Awit Award-nominee may well be the newest belle of the musical ball, and she is fast making a name for herself in the performing arts.

Compositions

The Canada-raised singer-instrumentalist’s self-titled debut album showcases her confident command of the musical medium. She acquits herself well in covers (Bryan Adams’ “Everything I Do, I Do It for You” and Tina Paner’s lovely “Tamis ng Unang Halik”), but she shines brightest when she sings or plays her own compositions—particularly in “My Strength” and her duet with singer-actor RJ Rosales, “You’re the One I Need.” Other top tracks: “Forbidden Love,” her collaboration with John Lesaca; the dreamy wedding tune, “Pachelbel’s Canon,” and “This Game,” with Dreamie Magracia on vocals.

Noelle has many tricks up her musical sleeve, but her best trait is her willingness to share the spotlight with other performers. She readily takes the back seat when it’s time for her guests to sing her compositions. As a result, her “generosity” gives her album its dynamic sound. Rosales, Magracia and Glaiza de Castro (who sings Adams’ “Everything I Do”) come up with above-par performances—but you know that Noelle’s unflappable musical spirit is the driving force behind triumphant guest turns.