Reviewed by Tony Cummings

This ambitious double CD project brings together 26 acts from all over southern Arizona to make a benefit album to help those who have suffered as a result of January's Tucson shooting tragedy. With the overall theme of "togetherness" the songs here are intended to engender a sense of tolerance and community. Musically, it's a very diverse collection though acoustic singer/songwriters dominate, interspersed with tracks of big band jazz, classical (Schubert and Beethoven), pop rock and even mariachi. Some of the acts are Christians with singer/songwriter Kelli Pardi providing the title song (unfortunately a rather dull and repetitive effort). Much better are husband and wife duo Compose The Octave with the lady of the group having a fine voice. Other tracks of particular Cross Rhythms interest are by Adalberto who has an excellent, flexible voice which he uses over a light jazz arrangement on "My Every Fear"; the Tucson Girls Chorus on a much better Kelli Pardi song, "Puddles"; and Cynthia Correa, whose acoustic-driven pop "Your Heart Lives In Mine" is lifted when a full rhythm section comes in. It has to be said that some of the tracks are of little more than demo quality but with handsomely designed packaging and such a worthy cause it is easy to overlook a few damp squibs.

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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