Chad Borja's 2000 release Show Me the Way marks a major stylistic departure from his previous album, 1998's Sorry Na, Puede Ba (I'm Sorry, Please), which consisted of easy listening music. Instead, Show Me the Way features a modern, contemporary sound. The music is middle-of-the-road, but the sound is fresh and modern, especially when compared to most Philippine music made by solo artists, which is usually bland easy listening. Starting the album is the upbeat and soulful "Kung Ako, Lang Sana" (If It's Only Me), which contains funky horn fills and an upbeat melody.
One immediately notices that
Chad Borja's voice sounds much better than it did on the previous album, where his voice was fragile and often incapable of rendering a commanding performance. His voice on Show Me the Way, however, is soulful and full of gentle strength, not overpowering but extremely tuneful.
The words flow like honey on such songs as "Show Me the Way," "Someone," and "If You Walked Away." In addition, the production, arrangements, and musicianship are excellent. Several songs contain energetic saxophone solos by Tots Tolentino. Significantly, Show Me the Way was produced by Japanese musician Yutaka, a member of famed Japanese band
Hiroshima.
Chad Borja is joined by Philippine female singer
Kuh Ledesma on the mellow "Summer Without You";
Kuh Ledesma does an excellent job here. Joining
Chad Borja on "Love Letter from the Heart" is international performer
Kevyn Lettau. The album contains a healthy mix of upbeat tunes and ballads, and meets international standards, which doesn't happen very often. ~ David Gonzales