Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

Interesting concept! Talented American lady piano player Linda McKechnie teams up with middle of the road Don Marsh Orchestra and like a magpie picks up influences from around the world to put together a worship album that is supposed to reflect a number of different cultures. In reality, unlike genuine world music, any of the original real passion in the form of music is sucked out by Americanising it and sanitising it! Even the American tunes here sound sanitised!! Oh dear! It just feels a little patronising for me. The inclusion of the fabulous African Children's Choir is the best example of where this goes wrong as Linda gets them to sing "Kumba Yah". This is chocolate box world music, this is BBC Light Entertainment circa 1975, I kept on expecting a dance troupe to smile and sweep through the lounge as I listened. And just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, "Jesus Loves The Little Children" with its kids' choir and jolly orchestration. Purlease! This is truly horrible. An American vision of the world's music, safe, dull, obvious and so high on sugar, I put on seven pounds just listening to it once! Avoid!

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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