Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

The sub-title of this collection is "Himos Classicos & Contemporaneos" which I guess even those of us who know no Portuguese can translate for ourselves. This immediately raises a question: why should I want to listen to a collection of hymns sung in a foreign language? It is wonderful that we have sisters and brothers from around the world praising our one heavenly Father but unless a foreign-language release is truly exceptional then we wonder whether there is any point. While the 13 songs here ooze sincerity Kaytha Marcelino does not, for me, have the voice to carry the album on her own and while she is backed by a talented band the arrangements are - at least to my ears - so cheesy as to require a health warning. Perhaps in Brazil this would be heard as fresh and contemporary but I am afraid there is nothing here that has travelled well. Miss Marcelino sings in tune throughout but the quality of her voice is not suited to the material. Perhaps there is a blues shouter inside her waiting to be released but for hymns such as "Se Paz A Mais Doce" ("It's Well With My Soul") or "Ha Um Doce Espirito Aqui" ("There Is A Sweet Spirit Here") need more tonal purity than she can offer. I want to hear Aled Jones but instead we get Tom Jones on helium. As a reviewer I never set out to be unkind but I have to be honest and say that there was nothing on this CD that I enjoyed other than the sentiments expressed.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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