Reviewed by Trevor Kirk

How come this gets reviewed in a Christian music magazine? Because I am reliably informed that Ronald Corp is an ordained clergyman. Ronald formed the NLO in 1988, since when it has gained a reputation for excellent musicianship coupled with an eclectic repertoire of little known music from the 19th and 20th centuries. The British Light Music Classics series has been a big hit with the music press, and listening to this CD it's easy to see why. This is a delight from start to finish, and immediately transported me back to the Light Programme of the early '50s, before Jeff Lynne and Roy Wood put the electric into the light orchestra. Composers featured include Eric Coates, George Melachrino, Vivian Ellis, Robert Farnon and Sidney Torch, with many familiar melodies, including the theme music for Housewives Choice aka "In Party Mood", "Lady Of Spain", "In A Persian Market", complete with a chanted chorus in Arabic, and the favourite of many brass ensembles, "Soldiers In The Park", best known by the first line of the chorus "Oh listen to the band". Who says nostalgia ain't what it used to be?

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.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.