Divas & I

In 2001, Philippine male singer Janno Gibbs released Divas & I. The album features Gibbs singing duets with 12 artists signed to Viva Records, to which Gibbs is also signed. Of the 12 artists, 11 are female singers — often dubbed "Viva's Divas" — and the remaining artist is the soulful band Freestyle, which has a female lead singer. The mood of the album is smooth and mellow. Middle of the road and easy listening music are very popular styles in the Philippines, and Gibbs often sings this kind of music. The album includes both Philippine-composed songs as well as covers of such foreign tunes as Barbra Streisand's "Evergreen" and George Harrison's "Here Comes the Sun." Starting the album is the pretty, Philippine-composed "Everyday," on which Gibbs duets with Rachel Alejandro. Although Gibbs is the featured singer on this album and appears on every song, the other performers are given much time to sing. In fact, on "I Don't Love You Anymore," it seems as though Gibbs' duet partner, Zsa Zsa Padilla, is the featured singer. Anyone wanting upbeat material won't find it here, as this is an album of ballads. The album is well performed and produced. The remake of "Wind Beneath My Wings," for example, is pretty, and contains a distinctive, country-styled guitar fill. The Philippine-composed songs are of a high quality as far as middle of the road music is concerned, as heard in the delicate, George Canseco-composed "Kapantay Ay Langit," on which Gibbs duets with well-respected veteran singer Pilita Corrales.