Reviewed by Tony Cummings

IN THE MAINSTREAM

When your first single hits number one and your album debut follows a bidding war with seemingly every multi national clamouring to secure your recording services, there's considerable pressure on you not just to deliver a good album but one overflowing with potential smash hits. The fact that 23 year old, blue eyed soul singer and committed Christian Daniel Bedingfield has done just that will come as no surprise if, like Cross Rhythms, you've been following his musical development since his days with the DNA Algorithm. It's hard to pull out outstanding tracks on an album brimming over with diverse and beautifully crafted sounds. There's the Michael Jackson-style dance funk of his second single "James Dean"; there's the haunting pop ballad "If You're Not The One"; the surgingly anthemic rush of expectant joy "Friday"; and the bold declaration of sexual purity "Right, Girl" (a favourite from DNA days). If I was forced to choose one track which pinpointed the sheer brilliance of Daniel's singing I would have to point to "Honest Questions", a song whose lyrics are plucked partially from Scripture and which features a truly lovely string arrangement. Clubbers looking for half a dozen more garage anthems ala "Gotta Get Thru This" may be disappointed but for the mainstream pop world looking for a fresh new talent this dazzling debut puts the New Zealand-born, London-based singer/songwriter/producer up there with the Michael Jacksons and Robbie Williamses.

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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