Asher Quinn has been around a fair while, originally a highly successful new-age instrumental composer going under the name of Asha, with albums produced by Genesis founder member Anthony Phillips (containing stirring tracks in the Vangelis or Hans Zimmer mould) , but latterly is far better known as a singer-songwriter... a balladeer with more than a hint of the mystical in the Leonard Cohen mould (add a dash of David Gray, Damien Rice, even Cat Stevens or Nick Drake to the mix, as a reference point). Serpent in Paradise is his latest studio offering, originally released last year in Holland, and now available in the UK for the first time, with sparkling new artwork. There are nine new compositions, four traditional tracks and a highly emotive cover version of Ben Harper's beautiful love-song "When she believes". The masterful production by Roland van Steijn is piano-based and understated, allowing the sheer beauty and spiritual power of the songs to shine through, along with the incredible intimacy and directness of Asher's gentle voice. The album is intensely moving and ultimately spiritually uplifting, but above all is simply just so beautiful, gentle and melodic, musically. It is unquestionably his most complete offering to date, with lyrics that truly inspire and touch the soul and a warm delivery that opens the heart.