Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

You can only knock an album's sentiments where a quid from your purchase goes towards Oasis India's work with street children in Bangalore when said album descends into tweeness. Sadly, I have to question the judgement of anybody who chooses to cover Lionel Richie's gloop of sugary sentimentality "Love O Love" and dares to add a kiddy choir! Please! Matron! The screens! Not a good start! It's also dangerous to cover "Righteousness, Peach And Joy" and "Mourning Into Dancing" which lose when compared to Kenoly's definitive versions despite the talent of Ben Castle. Exploring the theme of being spiritually orphaned, the original material is sadly unremarkable. "Street Sparrow", "When God Returns" and "Moved By Compassion" have good lyrics but aren't given the musical means to capture the heart. An 11 minute medley of Kendrick, Stuart Townend and Heartbeat songs ends up melancholy without being moving. Occasionally Matt's voice grates, the best way to describe his vocal tone is to imagine John Major singing! Two jazzy tracks from The Band Galore' lift the mood and these give Ben Castle the chance to take a lead. Despite the wealth of musical talent including the All Souls Orchestra, 'Orphan Child' fails to make an impact.

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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