"Lasair gradh Dhè am chridhe 'comhnaidh."
("The spark of God's love abides within me.")

If I make it to heaven and don't hear this type of music when I enter, I may consider asking for a transfer. Tastes differ, of course, but for me this sound is just about as close to the divine as is possible on this Earth.

Lasair Dhè (Flame of God) is billed as "A Celebration of Gaelic Spiritual Music" and it more than adequately lives up to its intended purpose. Produced in 2001 on Scotland's Isle of Skye by Mary Ann Kennedy for Macmeanmna, this CD features the musical group Cliar (pronounced "clear") with special guests Kenna Campbell and Donnie Murdo MacLeod.

What makes the music extra special for me, however, are the 200 singers from Scotland's Massed Gaelic Choirs. The human voice has been called the most perfect musical instrument in the world; imagine 200 voices joined in a national project of these proportions. It's a sound that must be heard to be believed. The melodies and harmonies soar through the highlands and glens, kirks and cathedrals of Scotland.

This award-winning recording was commissioned by the Highland Festival in 1999 and was intended to create "a permanent record of a project which has had a major impact on the Gaelic world. ... Lasair Dhè ... (has taken) root in the musical tradition of the Highlands and beyond."

The music is equally enjoyable whether I am trying to follow the Gaelic words in the liner notes or just allowing it to play in the background. I can't understand the Gaelic and none of the 16 melodies were familiar, but that only adds to the pull this music has over me.

The first song is one of the most beautiful and awe-inspiring of the 16 tracks. The Massed Gaelic Choirs sing "Athchuinge (Supplication)," which is a prayer once sung by massed choirs at the ceremony of the crowning of the Bard at the National Mod. I can't resist putting this track on repeat mode.

What follows are a number of Psalms (Salms in Gaelic) featuring various combinations of soloists and musicians and were composed specifically for this project by a number of Scottish composers. All are equally inspiring. "Salm 139" was written by Ingrid Henderson especially for children to mark their recorded performances in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

The hauntingly beautiful Psalm 117, performed by Cliar and female voices from the choirs with a solo by Cliar's Arthur Cormack, is another selection you'll want to have on repeat for quite a while.

Kenna Campbell's emotional rendition of the 23rd Psalm reached a worldwide audience at the 1994 funeral of the late Labour Party leader John Smith. "Triall Chaluim Chille (St. Columba's Progress)," performed by Cliar, was commisioned by the Edinburgh International Festival as part of a Gaelic service to mark 1,400 years since the death of St. Columba. The texts were selected from the writings of Columba's disciples on Iona after being translated into modern Gaelic.

A particularly moving piece is "Cearcall a' Chuain (The Circle of the Ocean)," with words and music by Calum and Rory MacDonald and sung by the Massed Gaelic Choirs.

This is a landmark recording for Scotand and I can almost guarantee that you will enjoy this music, whether or not you're religious or Scottish; all you need is a soul that loves beautiful music.