Phil Sheeran proclaims himself a "fingerstyle guitarist" in the liner notes to Orchid, and he gives those agile digits quite a workout even on the more low-key tunes which reflect his intention to create a mood recording. With Sheeran, there is always more than meets the eye - just as he eases our expectations into complacency with gentle declarations like In My Heart (on which he and flutist Brandon Fields tease each other back and forth over a swaying percussion groove), he heads for the tropics or does the B.B. King thing (She Likes the Blues), all to explosive effect. Sacred Ground combines the island panning of Andy Narell, the Native American bamboo flute musings of Richard Warner and Sheeran's own darker acoustic guitar tones - all over Harvey Mason's slick rhythmic pockets. Then Jungle finds Sheeran at a unique crossroads - his guitar is gentle but Eric Marienthal's alto fires up over a mix of live Mason and spunky hip-hop machinery. St. Tropez seeks a healthy compromise between the fire and calm, offering a cool drive time melody most of the way, but breaking for plucky improvisations by Sheeran and keyboardist/producer Gregg Karukas, whose sonic shifts from Rhodes to organ to ivories form the backbone of every cut. ~ Jonathan Widran, Rovi

1		Orchid
2		Ste. Tropez
3		The Look of Love
4		Riding the Wind
5		In My Heart
6		First Dance
7		Sacred Ground
8		Jungle
9		She Likes the Blues
10		The Winds of Time

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