Best Of Marco Sison

In 1991, the Philippine independent Universal Records released Best of Marco Sison. The album consists entirely of romantic, easy-listening music, a style of music quite popular in the Philippines. Sison has a resonant baritone and is a crooner in the manner of Matt Monroe and other such romantic, easy-listening singers. In fact, this album's "My Love Will See You Through" seems based on Monroe's 1960s hit "Walk Away." Sison sings straight melody, without much intonation nor any improvisation, in his pleasing baritone. The arrangements are romantically inclined, though "Si Aida, Si Lorna, O Si Fe" ("It's Aida, It's Lorna, or It's Fe") is an unusual, somewhat campy song, apparently based on American vaudeville. The song was also a hit in the Philippines. Usually, Sison's crooning is accompanied by piano and a string section (most likely played on synthesizer). Horns (again probably synthesized) are heard in spots, as in the dramatic moments of "Ibigay Mo Sa Akin Ang Bukas" ("Give Me the Day Tomorrow"). It's easy to imagine Matt Monroe singing many songs here, including "Make Believe," "Always," "I'll Face Tomorrow," "Mahal" ("Love"), and "Ibigay Mo Sa Akin Ang Bukas." "Isusumbong Kita Sa Diyos" ("I'll Tell God What You Did") is a bit interesting, as the melody opens in a minor key and finds resolution in a major key; the song also contains strong, dramatically played horns.