disc brake pads

I just finished converting my car from power disc/drum to manual disc/drum brakes. It is already much better to drive with the brakes not being so touchy but I think I can improve it more with new pads in front. The ones on the car were swapped over from my donor car probably 15 years ago. They have plenty of lining left but have probably been contaminated with who knows what over the years. In hindsight, I guess the old pads could have been part of the reason I never liked the power brakes. I'm wanting pads that will be easy on the rotors but still stop well and I'm just not sure what type of pad material I should look for. I assume originals were probably asbestos?