First and foremost, we are happy to report that Sting's new CD is not a concept album about tantric sex -- when he talks about Sacred Love, he's referring to the sanctity of romance.

Second, we are also quite pleased to note that this 11-song set is a typically sincere, soulful and stylish affair from the ex-Police chief, with well-tailored adult-contemporary tunes that are impeccably performed and tastefully produced -- although we'd have to admit they can also be a tad antiseptic, over-serious and samey-sounding at times.

Still, we're glad to hear Sting reining in his artsy pomposity and jazzbo-wannabe complexity for down-to-earth songs loaded with smouldering ethnic grooves, nostalgic moments (Dead Man's Rope finds him wandering into Walking in Your Footsteps) and a simple, heartfelt message for the post-9/11 world: "Send your love into the future."

Mostly, though, we're happy that we don't have to hear about that tantric sex thing. (More on Sting)

Track Listing
1. Inside
2. Send Your Love
3. Whenever I Say Your Name (with Mary J. Blige)
4. Dead Man's Rope
5. Never Coming Home
6. Like a Beautiful Smile
7. Let's Forget About the Future
8. This War
9. The Book of My Life
10. Sacred Love