Reviewed by Brendan O'Regan

Phil French is a jazz saxophonist from Dallas, Texas, with a swathe of albums under his belt. The title track of his latest is a dreamy tune that wouldn't go astray as the background music for a noir thriller set in the dark streets of Chicago. Most tracks are instrumental but there are a few vocals here as well. "7 Heaven" is a reassuring reflection on the reward God has in store for us, while the touching "Consider Now Eternity" deals with similar themes ("God is watching over you/So consider now eternity . your night is almost over"). Instrumental versions of both songs are also featured, the album containing a generous 17 tracks. If your tastes veer towards the soul jazz end of the spectrum (think Grover Washington Jr), Phil's fluid playing could be for you. As for the accompaniments, there are some standout contributions from bass player Terrence Richburg. These days there are numerous jazz gospel albums in the marketplace and although this isn't the most distinctive, no one can doubt that all those involved make a joyful noise until the Lord.

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.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.