Reviewed by John Cheek

Through her involvement with the Nine Beats Collective and particularly the 'Nine Beats To The Bar' album, I've been aware of Heatherlyn for some time and have also caught one or two of her solo singles and tracks; there was a Christmas release a few years ago that was notable. Now, here's an opportunity to experience Heatherlyn solo in full by way of a musical, or perhaps maybe more of a concept album. 'Heatherlyn's Musical Apothecary' is, as stated in the sleevenotes, "a journey of music and of healing." Apothecary is an old world for a medicine shop and now, far from providing Big Pharma set-to-music for the 21st century, Heatherlyn looks instead to administer some alternative remedies. As she says, "each song here, with simply [sic] mantras embedded in the richly poetic lyrics, may be a soothing balm to your soul, a healing tonic, perhaps an enlivening elixir to companion and support you." Whilst often gentle and sensitive, this album still contains plenty of light and shade, anthems and meditations. With her wonderfully ethereal-sounding voice, this is an intentional collection that reminds the listener of Enya and Joni Mitchell, circa 'Woodstock', and yet as well as perhaps looking to get back to the garden, is also pointing to love and grace for the future. With impressive backing vocalists and musicians, the excellent performances here are part of a musical health service that embraces folk, jazz, country and even vaudeville and music hall genres. There are sonic sketches, as well as structured songs. Jesus said "love your enemies" and "Love Be My Everything" seems reminiscent of, and inspired by, such profound teaching. Jesus said "I am the light of the world", and it seems that this is the light shining in "Light Will Find Us". Echoes of Psalm 40 inform "How Long" and "Begin With Me" is almost a prayer, a confession. By the penultimate track, this album is heading for a ten-out-of-ten embrace and "Interfere (Love Is Love)'" shapes up to be the standout song. However, the final refrain, as we go into full-on wig-out mode, is let down by the simplistic, inane repeating of "Because love is love is love is love is love, so let it be". Not so much divine diagnosis, or dependency, but instead the equivalent of temporary sticking-plaster. After earlier, emotive lines like "At times, the wind abandoned my sails" and "For all the wounds generations bear/Family scars, hidden parts and all that's unfair", to ultimately suggest love, and just let it be, is naive at best and patronising at worst. Some tough love needs to be injected at the root. Despite this, 'Heatherlyn's Musical Apothecary' is welcome medicine on life's journey: a soaring, uplifting concerto designed to reach the parts that hitherto lay untouched and unmoved.

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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