Destiny offers evidence that Jim Brickman has acquired a serious interest in redefining his position on the pop-music spectrum. The lone vocal selection "Valentine"--sung by Martina McBride--that adorned his breakthrough Picture This received a warm embrace from soft-pop radio formats and no doubt encouraged Brickman to include more vocal tracks--five, in fact--on Destiny, along with nine instrumental compositions. Such efforts (plus a nine-panel CD insert that unfolds to reveal a pinup poster of Brickman's strong-jawed mug) seek to certify Brickman as a master of the romantic pop ballad, a status he already enjoys for his expressive piano works. He succeeds on nearly all flanks. Two vocal selections, "Love of My Life" (featuring Christian crooner Michael W. Smith) and the title track (with a soulful duet by Jordan Hill and Billy Porter), will likely become heart-tugging slow-dance standards at wedding receptions for decades to come. The concluding "What We Believe In," with Pam Tillis, retraces the love-struck path McBride covered in "Valentine." Carly Simon and Herb Alpert also make appearances. What seem to suffer a bit are the piano pieces. Though good, some works contain a few too many notes and just miss the unwavering beauty of the instrumentals found on Picture This. This is a minor complaint, though, and the solo piece "Crossroads" is a pure gem. Hopeless romantics everywhere, behold your Destiny. --Terry Wood