Reviewed by Ian Hayter

This album was on the shortlist for the Vodafone NZ Music Awards in 2004. If this didn't win, then jazz down under must be pretty good. Hailing from Wellington, Ms Ford has been playing piano professionally since her mid-teens and has been composing since she was six. All nine compositions on this excellent album are her own, and her faultless piano playing is finely complemented by Tom Callwood's energetic bass and Mark Nelson's discreet drums. From the opening chords of the first track, "Truly Yours", through the title track to the final "In Your Eyes", this is a wonderful performance. Of course, it has often been said that without lyrics it is difficult to see why jazz could be called Christian, but from the days of Dave Brubeck through to Kirk Whalum, the Christian jazzman's sense of devotion has often been apparent in the excellence of the performance and the way in which the music touches the soul. Ms Ford's Christian faith is made explicit in her sleeve notes, but the sounds that she conjures up from the keyboard are truly uplifting and point beyond her to a God whose gifts make life that much more enjoyable.

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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