Reviewed by Tom Lennie

This is one of three recent releases from - a little surprisingly for a set of instrumental recordings - Spring Harvest. Many have been the fairly pleasant but ultimately rather insipid releases of inspirational instrumental recordings, seeking to allow the worshipper take a break from the busy pace of life and a chance to reflect, refocus and to be renewed by the Spirit. Few are those among them that stand out as quite special, with a quality and charm that leave a marked effect. Thankfully, this is one such. You can tell considerable time and effort - not least by producer and guitar maestro Dan Wheeler - has been put into perfecting these sounds. The professionalism of musicianship is no surprise - Wheeler on programming, percussion and guitar, Mark Edwards on keys, Mark Prentice on bass (and album design), Mike Haughton on recorder and saxophone and Paul D'Oliveria on flugal horn and trumpet. It's a terrific line-up - the result being a real, gentle passion and creativity, and the emergence of a beautiful spiritual aroma from all tracks. Most of the 12 tunes are popular worship songs from the past 20 years - some I confess are rather predictable and over-recorded. An exception is Phil Hart and Joanne Hogg's lesser known "Pierced", a wonderfully atmospheric soundscape, reminiscent of Iona themselves. A fine work.

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