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As part of the worship team at Toronto's Airport Christian Fellowship, Mike Hughes will have witnessed firsthand much of the
excitement and drama that has attended packed, memorable meetings over the years, in a church that has also played host to a striking variety of guest worship bands. As a singer and bass player, Mike has featured on each of the
last four Catch the Fire outputs, as well as on several other live projects and both of fellow TACF musician Robert Critchley's most recent solo works.
The present disc is a collection of Mike's own material
from the past seven years, three written in conjunction with wife Wendy. Songs are basic in structure, but flow along in a worship ebb that is effectively touching throughout. The opening 'Song of praise'
is uncharacteristically upbeat and Celtic in tone (Robin Mark would be proud to own it!) - the ensuing 'You are God', with it's fine choral backing, also holding a warmly anthemic feel. Most tracks though, are gentle,
soothing and sensitively inspiring, with gorgeous harmony vocal strains. And while I find the ballad-waltz of 'Dancin' in daddy's arms' rather anaemic, the lyrically honest 'To meet with you', the yearning charm of
'Flow through me' and the stilling beauty of the 'Psalm 5' shuffle are utterly winsome, every one.
The 7-minute title cut makes great chill-out listening (or 'soaking in the glory' as they call it in
Toronto), so too the tender flow of 'Here I am', who's prayerful lyrics call for complete openness to the will of God. There's a good chance you'll want to use some of these songs in your own church group - guitar chords and
overhead masters being freely available (though not on CD Rom nor yet on Mike's web-site!). Produced by Mr Critchley, who too provides all sequencing and arrangements, this hour-long inspirational experience is music of genuine
healing to the soul.
Review by tom lennie - May 2002 |
