Reviewed by Fran James

Finnish Nina Astrom is translated to Nashville, signed by Word Inc and her second album includes attention from such weighty names as Phil Keaggy, Wes King and Julie Miller, which is an auspicious launch to any music ministry. 13 tracks of mainly piano-led ballads 'A Matter Of Time' takes a while to register. But it's worth sticking with. There are a range of styles from an almost Delta bluesey "Different Rhythms And Rhyme" which is one of the favourites to a very 70s "Make The Right Choice" with an ardent and intense Keaggy on lead guitar. The lyrics are earnest bringing a fresh approach to some Godly themes, kind of a Christian version of Carole King and weaving a tapestry in words and music on subjects such as repentance, reality and transparency in relationships. But Nina has the edge with extraordinary X-ray vision, writing like a surgeon cutting out all superficiality. However, the marriage between vocals, music and production style was at times an uneasy one while despite 'Orphans And Angels' being an all time favourite album I must confess I find Julie Miller's sweet BVs a tad cloying. But there is also something really haunting here. Finnish gospel eh? Wonder what's happening in Iceland.

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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