Adopting a Middle Eastern flavor to enhance her blend of classical and new age pop,
Sarah Brightman's
Harem continues her experimentation with thematic discs that began with 1993's oceanic
Dive. These themes, while never dominant or original, are simply meant to enhance her brand of crossover just enough to keep listeners interested in hearing her next project.
Harem accomplishes that feat by shrouding new age pop songs in a thin Middle Eastern veil that disguises, but never completely covers,
Brightman's true musical identity. It works well when she fully utilizes the theme, as on the opening title track where
Brightman's fragile operatic voice is able to capture the traditional phrasing without sounding forced. But when the formula simply dresses up a pop/dance song like "The Journey Home," the results are less interesting and cross into territory already explored by the group
Enigma and its worldly hits. Elsewhere,
Brightman appears to have been taking classes at the
Kate Bush vocal institute, sounding eerily similar to the English thrush on the quiet tracks "What You Never Know" and "Free," her writing collaboration with
Sophie B. Hawkins. Retaining her classical leanings,
Brightman successfully incorporates "Un Bel Di," from
Puccini's Madame Butterfly, into the surging beats of "It's a Beautiful Day," her best attempt at creating a chart-worthy hit. Middle Eastern music stars like
Kazem al-Saher and the late
Ofra Haza lend an air of authenticity, while the tasteful arrangements by former
Killing Joke frontman
Jaz Coleman refrain from overpowering
Brightman's voice or sinking into an Arabian parody. The disc gets a bit long by the time it reaches the unnecessary standard "Stranger in Paradise," but
Brightman's
Harem adventure is interesting enough to have listeners packed and ready to travel with her on another musical journey. ~ Aaron Latham