Put3ska

In 2000, OctoArts/EMI Music (Philippines) released Put3ska: OPM Timeless Collection Gold Series 4, a compilation of songs taken from the two albums recorded by the ska band Put3ska for the label. The two albums are 1995's Put3ska and 1996's Manila's Finest.

Regrettably, Put3ska has since lost its charismatic and talented female lead singer Myra Ruaro, and the band no longer has a recording contract. This is too bad, as Put3ska was one of the few Philippine acts with international potential. The group's 1995 album, Put3ska, is surely one of the finest albums ever released here, and it is now a classic.

The group has an outstanding horn section, heard to great effect on this album. "Manila Girl" is a peppy, upbeat number and has a catchy chorus that immediately sears itself into a listener's memory cells. The song surely had international potential. The following "Birthday Holiday" is nearly just as catchy. The majority of Put3ska's songs, including "Manila Girl" and "Birthday Holiday," were composed by the band's guitarist Arnold Morales, who has a knack for catchy, memorable melodies. The pensive "Home Is Calling" features a beautiful, tender melody, but the song is marred by banal lyrics that talk of the ecology instead of the tender love song that it cries out for.

Throughout the album, Put3ska's ingenious horn riffs adds much to the band's charm. It's sad the band, which now has another female lead singer, no longer makes albums. ~ David Gonzales, All Music Guide