Lowell Lo 08 Suddenly A Magic Moment (CD+DVD) DVD Region All

Eighteen years is a mighty long time to wait for an album, making Lowell Lo's 2008 album Suddenly... A Magic Moment a most warm and welcome release. The album features new interpretations of six of his classic compositions, starting with a beautiful rendition of "Who is My Most Loved" (Track 1) which he wrote for George Lam 22 years ago. Lowell's unmistakable vocal floats in over a soft and elegant piano and strings arrangement, perfectly capturing the aching sentiments of the song.

Staying clean and simple, the album's next five tracks are all unplugged numbers, carried only by acoustic guitar and the singer's expressive vocals. Lowell Lo's voice brings a brooding lightness to two of the most heartwarming ballads in the Canto-pop canon, Danny Chan's "With You Through the Centuries" (Track 2) and Alan Tam's "Love Is That Sweet" (Track 4), a song that never fails to bring a smile to my face. "Departed Heart" (Track 3) and "Wishing We'll Last Forever" (Track 5), meanwhile, are both moving and heartbreaking, yearning for love as it leaves. "Accompany You Leaving" comes in two versions, unplugged (Track 6) and with a new '08 arrangement (Track 7); the former is pure Lowell Lo, soaring and sinking with his singing, while the latter evokes a soft solemnity in its gentle piano chords.

Despite Lowell Lo's long absence, his voice and music feel as familiar as yesterday. As soon as the notes start, the songs come back like they've never left. Unlike last month's heavily promoted CM tie-in catchy karaoke hit of the moment, Lowell Lo's songs stay not only in the head, but also the heart. I only wish that this album was longer.