saints & sinners After their ebullient debut, the imaginatively-titled All Saints, I was so eager to hear Saints & Sinners [London, 2000, 14; 61:24], I flew to England for a copy. Would you believe I considered it? Forget their initial effort. That was a warm up. Saints & Sinners sizzles. Energetic, original, witty and a rare over-one hour album whose length is warranted. All but one piece is co-written by All Saints, mostly Shaznay. Songs of the other type of import, like "All Hooked Up," with its succinct chorus:   I know that you want a piece of my ass   Don't you know that a guy like you wouldn't last? Latin flavouring, reminiscent of Sweet Sensation's American incarnation, is one ingredient in the mix... "One More Tequila." Tasty! "Surrender." Beautiful in every way. "Love Is Love," a strikingly-submitted sentiment, and "I Don't Want To Be Alone." Then the title song asks the musical question, "Are you a saint or a sinner inside?" About as theological as pop should get. Great harmonies (as in "Black Coffee" – tasty as Arabian mocha), strong vocals and catchy melodies make Saints & Sinners far more substantive than one expects. See! There are good new albums, even if they must be hidden in your cigar box and smuggled into the country. Unquestionably contemporary, constructed on solid musical foundations, a gem from this multi-talented, sexy supergroup.

	©2001 gt slade