ALL THE WATERS OF THIS WORLD

Aptly named, "All the Waters of this World" represents a landmark intermingling of styles filtered through the lens of a decidedly enlightened middle class (I presume) American fellow. I hear predominantly world, progressive, new age and pop flowing together refreshingly as rarely before. English proposes a disk that has drawn comparisons to PETER GABRIEL but more melodically oriented, and with vocals that blend better with the accompaniment. It's instantly likable while worthy of many a return visit.

From the opening notes of the Latin-informed "Sea of Nectar" through the introspective luminosity of "Deep Blue Quiet Places" and the primeval sorrow of "The Lullaby of Loneliness", the album grabs hold without delay. English pulls out his trump card, the sensitive piano ballad, for the lovely title cut and the even more sublime "Very Very Heavy", which transforms itself to a hypnotic chant with swirling harmonies. "Ghost is Broken" and "Mandeleine" are the most overtly progressive, but even they are shrouded in a DOUGIE MACLEAN and LOREENA MCKENNITT styled homage to the past. The array of keyboards played by English along with his equally versatile mate Patrick Strole and the violins of Meredith Yayanos all set spellbinding moods.

While it loses steam with the more conventional closing cuts, this debut by Aaron English is worthy of more than a dip and a taste. A watershed.