Spain: Spirituals: The Best of Spain

Reviewed by GRAHAM REID

Herald rating: * *

Nope, not some world music compilation but a collection by the now-defunct group Spain, lead by Josh Haden, son of jazz bassist Charlie, who carved a sub-jazz, folk-blues singer-songwriter niche for himself over three downbeat albums.

Nothing here raises the pulse -- indeed at times you are searching for Spain's -- and it is more pleased with its romantic arty-ness than it should be.

But if moody Cowboy Junkies, the slower Mojave 3 tracks and long silences between words are your thing then these whisperings and gently strummed songs will doubtless appeal.

The live tracks -- including Willie Nelson's Funny How Time Slips Away -- show they hardly kicked up a storm there, either.

For some it is melancholy mood music, for others candle-lit lounge-chic, and for most it will be just plain monotonous.

Functional though: guaranteed to have you kipping off in minutes.

(Ryko)