One is very tempted to make comparisons between "Space Between Us" when listening to this new offering from Craig Armstrong "As If To Nothing" (Melankolic). After the magnificent "Space Between Us", how does one follow up with that?

"Space Between Us" to me was like a beautiful piece of Renaissance art ie sweeping and luscious like the delicate strokes on a masterpiece.

My initial reaction to "As If To nothing" was excitement! The list of collaborations is like having Miro work with Monet or Dali with Renoir or even Hockney with O'Keeffe!

The list of who's who includes Evan Dando (from Lemonheads), Bono (U2), Wendy Stubbs (Alpha), David McAlmont (Boo Hewerdine's soul prodigy), Antye Greie-Fuchs (Laub), Steve Lindsay (Big Dish), Robert Fripp and a dash of Eastern influence - Hindi music!

Evan Dando's collaboration on "Wake Up In New York" which is the first single released, is a beautiful ballad which is as Rainsound as it can get. It is about love, truly melancholy……….it is a pity, it is too short.

Then we have "Miracle" which features Mogwai, another great Scottish act. One would never think it is a Mogwai collaboration when you listen to it but Craig Armstrong has pulled off an incredible mix of Mogwai's "kerrang" and mesmerizing Hindi vocals courtesy of Swati Natekar (who is also featured in Jakatta's "American Booty").

Antye Greie-Fuchs, a vocalist with a former German electronic group called Laub, is featured on "Waltz", which is an interesting mix of orchestral arrangements and computer-like "gibberish".

"Stay" is a great song in itself and it is being reworked on this album and if you loved the original U2 version then this is a good version to debate on.

The other collaborations I shall leave it for you to find out. "As If To Nothing" is definitely a 21st Century art. In short, go and buy the CD!