SHOOTING FROM THE HEART

A pair of gnarled, ancient hands worshipfully proffers up a plain earthen bowl from which rises a flame. Behind, all is chocolate warm and dark silence.

It's a poetic cover image for an album titled Silent Longing, signaling the possibility of musical alchemy within. But that's not always the case.

Much of composer/keyboardist Hoffman's offering here, though nicely turned out by himself and a full palette of accompaniests, is a little too easy, predictable - even maudlin. Still, a few tracks do carry that flame.

"Joy to Joy" is a joyously jangly guitar waltz that suddenly grabs you with peals of children's laughter. "Song For Rose," with its tentative piano lines, warmly solicitous cello, and soothing vocal washes, breathes loving tenderness - music to remember the dearly departed by, perhaps. "Waiting," the album's exceptional opening song and closing reprise, is sweet African roots-jazz at its finest. As gentle as a lullaby, Marcel Adjibi and Tara's vocals soar in silent, rapturous longing:

"I am here praying
I am here waiting for you
Teacher, wise one
Come and carry me...
Your child is calling you"
(translated from the Goun)