Reviewed by Stella Redburn

This was a music project managed by ELBA, produced by London-based independent gospel label Zoe Records and part funded by the Olympic Lottery distributor, which involved five host borough primary and secondary schools selected by audition. They ran a series of creative workshops to teach vocal skills and songwriting. Three of the songs are covers of popular songs of that summer and the rest are home-grown. All the lyrics promote the theme that "we can all make it if we try" and all mirror the energy and positive impact that the Olympics had in London. The best known is Chris Martin's "Paradise" which he wrote as a winner's song for The X Factor. The whole project gives a very positive vibe because it was so inclusive for the local communities and to have enabled these young people to work together on such a creative idea is truly commendable. "Beautiful People" by Chris Brown gets a good groove going straight away with its insistent riff over the children's voices. "Trust Yourself" showcases British gospel singer Deborah Oluyemi who also sings on "Imagine" accompanied by a thumping piano. My big gripe about the CD is that so much of the singing is chronically flat; "I Believe I Can Fly" is really painfully so. It was nice to have all the lyrics included, although so minute that you needed a magnifying glass to read them!

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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