Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Mosaic MSC have been described as "a collective of some of Los Angeles' most talented and culturally diverse singers and musicians" but I couldn't say that cultural diversity is really demonstrated on these seven songs. They are in fact all synth-driven pop worship numbers with no R&B, rock, hip-hop, Latin or any other styles that are part of LA's diverse musical scene. But no matter, after all, it's first and foremost the quality of the songs which is of primary concern on a worship album (or in this case a mini-album). Like on many other modern worship projects, the songs here are of mixed quality. The outstanding cut is the opener "Mercy" - a song that simply but effectively asks for God's strength in our weakness. Production/arrangements on this track are spot on with a haunting synth bed counterbalanced by a doodling keyboard part. "Mercy" is strong enough to pick up some radio though unfortunately the standard isn't maintained on the rest of the tracks. The female led "Never Let Me down" and "Engraved" with a husky male singer (a different chap from "Mercy") have their moments - particularly the latter's "we praise you" passage where the accompaniment cuts away to reveal some nice harmonies. But by track four a certain level of listener fatigue is beginning to creep in. Such torpor is not helped by the first six songs having a similar mid-tempo and the one fast song here "15" is drenched in too much reverb. Now don't get me wrong. LA's Mosaic Church have sufficient resources not to descend to complete mediocrity. And as I said earlier, "Mercy" might pick up some radio play and other church support. But, in truth, 'Heaven' is some way short of being up there with the best Uniteds and Bethel Musics.

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