Marcelito Pomoy’s debut album delights – and distracts

POMOY. Unique singing talent.

Marcelito Pomoy’s debut album is as novel as his unique singing talent. In “Duet Yourself,” “Pilipinas Got Talent’s” Season Two champ demonstrates the ability that swept the reality show’s judges and viewers off their feet. And, sure enough, for the most part, Marcelito impresses.

Like his live performances, Pomoy’s album shows off how he renders popular tunes using two distinct vocal placements and ranges – with his thick-bodied baritone and a curlicue-loving soprano alternating from one stanza to another.

Collaboration

Most notable is his almost seamless rendition of Martin Nievera and Regine Velasquez’s hit collaboration, “Forever,” followed by his cover of “Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang?,” Regine’s duet with her beau, Ogie Alcasid.

Ironically, Pomoy’s “female” voice has a more pleasant (albeit occasionally shrill) quality than its plain-sounding “male” counterpart. And, while the former reeks of confidence and technique, the latter sometimes sounds tentative and shaky.

A more urgent “problem” is the singer’s (or his producer’s) inability to iron out “technical” kinks, especially where diction is concerned – which is a needless misstep, because that’s something that can be remedied in the studio. A rushed session “immortalizes” a performer’s errors.

So, when you hear Marcelito belting the line, “Guide us weed (with) your grace” (from “The Prayer”), or “Why deed (did) you go” (from “Forever”), you can’t help but be distracted – and switch off!