Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

Laura Stincer is a Cuban-born but US-based flautist who released her debut album after working as a session player. All 12 tracks are composed, arranged and produced by Laura's father Ramon Huerta and between them they take us on a world tour through many popular genres including classical, jazz, Latin and even rock. Your reviewer will show his age by remarking that at times it sounded not unlike a lounge version of Jethro Tull but at its best - and there are many highlights - this is an interesting and enjoyable album. Laura is a prize winning musician, having won first place in the national Amadeo Roldam competition in Cuba where she studied under Alberto Corrales. I confess that the flute is not my favourite instrument and there are times on this album where I think the music would be better served by being played on a saxophone or clarinet to give it some extra oomph but Miss Stincer is a flautist and we should credit her for going out of her comfort zone. The different musical styles found across this album give it either an eclectic flavour if we want to be positive or make it a bit of a muddle if we want to be critical. Laura is a committed Christian and many of the titles on 'Sacrifice Of Love' make this clear as we move from "Ancient Wisdom" to "The Door To Heaven" while enjoying "New Found Freedom" and "Joyful Dance" on the way. Instrumental music always suffers from a lack of focus when compared to songs with words but if we open up our Bible and read along with, say, "Exodus" we may find God speaking to us in an unexpected way. Readers who like crossover music played on the flute - and we know you are out there - will enjoy this but if you want something explicitly Christian then this is not it.

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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