Reviewed by Ewan Jones

Part of a three CD project (the others being 'Chants' and 'Angels') in a series put together by a Nashville production company, 'Heaven' is essentially themed "mood music"; all big synth pads, laid back drum grooves and floaty lead melodies from the sounds of the pan pipes/grand piano/classical guitar/insert-your-favourite-electric-keyboard-sound-here. There are some good touches, like the piano and cello track "Windows Of Heaven" and some of the neat effects on "Mystery". This track and others find the tunes accompanied by spoken vocals from Nashville country singer Rebecca Frederick, bizarrely putting on her best upper class English accent. 'Heaven' is one quarter original and engaging, one quarter homage to '90s mood DJ Robert Miles and two quarters the kind of elevator muzak I try desperately to zone out when I'm in my local Indian restaurant. I guess that's partly the idea - ambient, inspirational background music with a heavenly theme is essentially the aim and while this is nice enough, it makes no intelligible mention of the Gospel (it could be playing inoffensively in any New Age emporium) and the sound is dated. Consider carefully before purchase.

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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