Reviewed by Tony Cummings

I'm currently reading Evan's recently published autobiography Under The Afro and can tell you that this soul-singing New Zealand-based pastor has had a fascinating life. His latest album puts Evan firmly in nightclub jazz mode and with a couple of excellent musos in Stephen Small on piano and Lance Su'a on guitar (Lance's Kenny Burrell-style runs on the opener "My Gift A Song" are particularly impressive) the mood of relaxed mellowness is maintained throughout. Evan's voice is rich and convincing while his songs hinge almost entirely on the subject of love, both romantic ("This Love Of You") and divine (the worshipful "La La La"). Sometimes Evan's penchant for too obvious rhymes, like on "This Love Of You", spoils the effect but the shuffling "L-O-V-E" with its memorable "I think I'm ready.for love" refrain works well. Maybe 'Chance & Time' lacks the dynamics of some of Evans' early recordings but as a slice of sophisticated 3.00am style musical reflection this eight-song project works rather well.

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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