Reviewed by Susan Lumsden

Pleasant is the best word to describe this latest collection of old favourites from Scots choir Praise Gathering. Conductor Ian Watson has blended together 250 voices to produce a result so polished you could see your face in it. Although partially recorded at Glasgow City Hall, this is a million miles from being a live album: the contemporary choir sound is carefully mixed with supersmooth instrumentals. The problem is that the tone is so smooth it doesn't allow for expression. A restrained "Crown Him With Many Crowns" is the closest this album comes to emotion. Worth mentioning, however, is the rendition from Sibelius' "Findlandia" and Kendrick's "Come And See" stands out as the only contemporary track. The rest of this album wafts by as smooth unobtrusive background. Despite its undoubted achievement, this is where this collection belongs.

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