Reviewed by Jonathan Sinclair

Englerth boasts a rich CV having played with Aslan and Earthen Vessel in the '70s to more recently working with several artists/bands including the likes of Ray White (Frank Zappa), Kenny Meeks (Sixpence None The Richer) and Joe English (Wings). With a whopping 17 tracks 'Hope, Dream, Sigh' has a lot to offer. While the overall style of the album is predominately jazz blues, Englerth experiments with other styles, such as the tongue-in-cheek "I Do I Don't" that has a ska vibe to the "Wish You Were Here" that has a country feel. Along with the impressive use of the guitar that is used throughout, and especially impressive in the intro to "Within My Skin", the use of other instruments really compliments the album such as the sax in "When Words Fail". Vocally Ed has a similar style to Joe Cocker. Lyrically Ed deals with issues like the recent riots and how as a society we could move forward. "I Declare" states that "love is not a dream" and that despite the opposition "love is what we need". "Try" offers encouragement with "Paul says don't weary of doing good/That is the way the race is run/We will see visions and dream dreams/We have yet to see what we are to become" and again reminding the listener the importance of love. A hard-hitting album from the veteran songsmith.

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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