Reviewed by Chris Webb

Rumanian born, but Devon-based Cornelia has produced an unusual album. The melodies and lyrics are all Cornelia's, but the backing tracks are all royalty free downloads. The musical styles vary from track to track, starting with a Middle Eastern groove on "Christmas For Everyone" through the Indian Sub Continent, via reggae to synthesizer-based pop. The lyrics generally reflect the Christian praise and worship genre but backed with these varying rhythms make for a hard-to-pigeonhole musical approach with the backing tracks sounding rather thin and lacking much texture. Cornelia has a very pure, clear voice that mostly works well with the range of the tunes on the CD, but even when double tracked lacks a rougher edge to give more vocal variety at times. Best tracks are the Sly and Robbie style, drums 'n' bass, "Sing To The Lord" and synthesiser led title track "Freedom", although unfortunately the lyrics are the least clear here. Bollywood style "Clap And Sing" doesn't work so well, nor "A New Name" which is in a similar vein.

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