Husband wife teams aren't very popular in music. Most of the time, each spouse would want to have his/her own name in the industry. Following the example of Tuck and Patti, Ryan and Bianca Peralta have extended their partnership from personal to professional in this team called Ascension.

The decidedly acid jazz tandem play it cool in this initial offering. Ryan has a knack of jazzing up some old ditties in a way that is just right for that crisp voice that is his wife, Bianca. Lean On Me is breathed back to life in Track 2. They groove into refreshing arrangement to this anthem of friends. It is definitely one of those songs in this album that will make the listener sing along while it plays and sing alone after it's finished.

Track 1 is Unchoose heralding the unempowered to start standing up for themselves. Track 3 is Take Some Time advising everyone not too hurry into decisions and learn from experiences. Aside from these two, the rest are all romantic ditties.

The songs are not at all noisy, in fact, they're all for easy listening. The arrangement for all songs is not too slow to lull one to sleep but enough to keep you up while working late at night or to keep the couples on the dance floor.

Lipad, Track 4, the only song in the vernacular in this collection, is rendered in a very easy way-- not trying too hard, just getting into a beat. The English pieces can easily sound like they're from a foreign band, replete of any local accent that seem to make it into many other local albums.

The only ballad in the album, Track 8- For You, is a lilting tune that sounds like it ought to be a theme song for couples everywhere. It's not a grandiose vocalization. It's a simple expression that ends with a sigh from the listener. Listen to the lyrics carefully though, then you realize it's not your run of the mill love song.

This duo is clearly meant to be heard. Looking at their photos on the album, one will wonder how their simple, down to earth looks can make people swoon. Then they start singing. Then you know why they waxed an album. Great choice of songs. Great arrangements. Great voices.

My take: If only talent were enough to make it big in this industry! Perhaps Ascension can prove that can happen?