Reviewed by T A Sutherland

Here's an album with a very wide range of styles in its eclectic mix but with most tracks maintaining an overall light urban jazz vibe, despite Michael Parlett and guest artists dipping successfully into funk, R&B and Asian fusion. I have never been a big fan of jazz covers of well known worship songs and I really think that the handful that appear on this well intentioned and reasonably crafted set of tracks don't really help toward supporting the album. With that gripe over there are a few rather notable tracks to mention, such as the entrancing sound of "Ishq Tum Bin" with tabla and santoor making for a lovely rich sound (but why just one track?). The smooth vocals of Lurine Cato make a strong impression on the nice cover of Mary Mary's chart hit "Shackles". And more quality features in the R&B-tinged "True Love" that shuffles along in a classic jazz club tradition, a really special/uplifting track where Joy Rose of Incognito fame lays down a loose and lucid sound well complimented by Parlett's sax. However, (vivid flashbacks of Cagney And Lacey aside) this album left me dumbstruck as to why it had not been developed along the themes of its most obvious strengths, being the aforementioned more creative, diverse and original numbers. An album with some beautiful and dynamic glimpses of the promised land, but sadly containing too renditions of overt familiar choruses to fully showcase Mr Parlett's obvious proficiency.

This track data is supplied by the Cross Rhythms CD/DVD review library. Please note that CD tracks may vary according to release region or product version. You should not assume that products purchased through Cross Rhythms Direct will necessarily have identical track listings to those shown.