Kulay

In 1996, hip-hop trio Kulay released its second album for OctoArts/EMI (a joint venture between Philippine record company OctoArts and international label, EMI). Called, Flavour of da Moment, the album once again explored hip-hop/rhythm 'n' blues territory.

Opening the album is a funky version of the Clash's "Should I Stay or Should I Go?," featuring jazzy horn lines and the strong, mellifluous bass playing of session musician Simon Tam.

Where Kulay's 1995 debut album, 100000 Pesos Worth of Karma, contained a significant number of songs performed in the traditional "verse-chorus-verse" structure, Flavour of da Moment is more experimental and many songs contain, for example, heavy doses of rap and funk, among other styles, often built around a central melodic theme.

"Ikaw" (You) is a remake of a popular easy-listening Filipino love song, done here in a sensuous hip-hop version. This time out on the album, Kulay uses more Tagalog, the Philippines' national language, in addition to English.

The album is surprisingly short, and the eight songs total approximately only 24.5 minutes, which may be symptomatic of a deeper problem or dissatisfaction. Though the material, however limited, on Flavour of da Moment is quite good, the album doesn't match the exuberance and charm of the earlier, 100000 Pesos Worth of Karma.

Modern, adventurous music has trouble finding an audience in the Philippines, and people here often prefer easy-listening love songs, and sales for Flavour of da Moment were disappointing, according to the label (there are no sales charts in the Philippines). ~ David Gonzales, All Music Guide