In 2001, Philippine group
First Circle released Natural Reaction. The band's music is soulful and smooth and is comparable to the music of another Philippine band, Freestyle. As with Freestyle,
First Circle has two vocalists, a female vocalist and a male vocalist who also plays guitar. The album starts on the mild funk of "Natural Reaction," which grooves atop a syncopated backbeat and a resonating bassline and contains intermittent funky rhythm guitar. The song is mellow and soulful, and contains an alluring hook in the chorus. The male vocalist handles lead vocals here, while the female vocalist contributes seductive backing vocals. The female vocalist gives a soulful edge to "One More Day," which sounds like something American urban singer Mary J. Blige might sing. "Baby Do You Mind" is the album's most upbeat number, though it is tame by any other standard. By this time, the album's smooth and mellow sound is beginning to sound redundant. In addition, the singing sometimes sounds forced, as though the vocalists are trying too hard to sound soulful. This isn't the case, however, with the album's two best songs, the tender "Ako'y Sa'yo" (I'm for You) and "Sakayan Ng Jeep" (Jeepney Station), which close side one of the cassette. The singing sounds natural and the songs flow with an unguarded eloquence. The songs on side two are all made from the same mellow and soulful blueprint that dominates side one (although the untitled closing track has the band talking and jamming a bit). While there are some nice touches on side two, such as the falsetto singing of a pretty melodic line in "Huwag Mo" (You Don't), the slow, mellow ambience gets tiresome, and the songs begin to sound alike. This album needs more diversity and better songwriting. ~ David Gonzales