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   Shout to the North - Robin Mark

   Just Contagious - Vineyard India

   Screaming Serenades - Kindle

   Run to the Lord - Captain Bill Mason

$13.50

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SHOUT TO THE NORTH
by Robin Mark
Belfast, Northern Ireland
www.robinmark.com

 Songs:
  1.  Let everything that has breath
  2.  Revival
  3.  Take us to the river
  4.  I will sing the wondrous story
  5.  Amazing grace /
       No not by might /
       Are you washed in the Blood?
  6.  All hail the Lamb
  7.  Shout to the North
  8.  Behold the Lord
  9.  All heaven declares
10.  My hope is in the Lord
11.  Jesus, all for Jesus

  The album cover and title speak boldly for themselves - this music is loud! The product, in fact, of two-year old South UK group Kindle, a talented foursome of which two members have worked extensively with the likes of Matt Redman, Sue Rinaldi and Noel Richards; a third is classically trained as a trumpet player (though he sticks to bass guitar on this set!); while main vocalist Simon has travelled far and wide as worship leader at both Spring Harvest and Salvation Army events!

  Recorded over six weeks in the illustrious Chapel Lane Studios (Eric Clapton, The Sex Pistols, The Fall), these Brit-pop/rock sounds are about as far as you can get from traditional Sally Anne fare! Driving percussion and energetic crunch guitar are the force behind these tunes, superimposed with Parkin's inimitable, rather snarled vocals, vaguely reminiscent at times of Delirious?' Martin Smith, and with an overall nod towards the sonic thrust of Radiohead. Lyrics, composed by Parkin and/or Boreham, are original and arresting, and while rarely mentioning the God-name directly, unashamedly and unambiguously proclaim his goodness, love and eternal life. 'Don't fly away' carries the most memorable chorus; the intense 'Gone crazy' releases a wild abandon, but it's not 'til the seventh track that the band are ready to slow down the pace - at least for a few minutes! 'Live for heaven' and 'Someone to live for' are both dreamy ballads that meditate on new life found in Christ - no hint of self-righteous pride here, but rather undeserved gratefulness. Indeed, a sense of humility pervades all these verses, the concept of kneeling before Him attending no fewer than five of the dozen tracks, nowhere more poignantly than on the closing 7-min 'State of waiting' - which latterly moves into a surprise funky remix!

  The band has toured with fellow Brit-rockers Kato - to whom, it must be said, there are stylistic comparisons - and are no strangers to large crowds; their second gig being alongside Delirious? before an audience of 6,000 at the London Arena! With a desire to move 'organically' wherever God leads them, be it the CCM scene or into mainstream pop/rock, Kindle are ready for the challenge. Question is - are we ready for the challenge of Kindle? Screaming Serenades? Yeh - mostly!

Review by tom lennie

 Songs:
  1.  Mercy is Falling
  2.  More Love, More Power
  3.  Harvest Song
  4.  Be the Center
  5.  Undignified
  6.  Take My Life
  7.  Multiply Your Love
  8.  Blessed Assurance
  9.  I Praise You
10.  In the Arms of My Father
11.  My Jesus I Love Thee

$15.95

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  Over the last decade or so, the Vineyard group of churches has outshot its north American roots (after establishing over 500 fellowships) branching out to become a global enterprise active in over 70 nations! When Vineyard Music has also emerged in some of these countries, it has rightly sought to take on an ethnic identity particular to each location (eg Brit-rock and Celtic styles in UK/Eire - African rhythms/lyrics in South Africa). Somewhat disappointing then to find the debut recording from fledgling Vineyard India appearing largely as a Western expression.

  Certainly the majority of participating musicians are native Asians, with lead vocalist Saroop Mathew also acting as album producer. But virtually all the material here consists of well-known Western worship songs (largely from Vineyard ranks) - and it's all sung in (faultless) English. These complaints aside, the song selection is an appealing one, and every tune is both passionately and professionally delivered. Tracks include the striking group vocal opener, a David Ruis creation, and the potent 'Take my life', written by Scott Underwood (both of whom have personally assisted this dedicated team), as well as a couple of apt outreach songs written and sung by Canadian Andy Park , a frequent visitor/encourager to the group. The reggae-soaked(!) 'More love, more power' is a vibey delight, so too Redman's 'Undignified', while a couple of lesser-known Vineyard tunes are every bit as impressive.

  A thoughtful take of the old 'My Jesus, I love Thee' (co-sung by Park and Smitha Mathew) atmospherically closes the hour-long set, sensitively textured, as are all these songs, with ethnic tones from likes of Indian flute, djembe, tabla and pots & pans! To me these act more as an - albeit charming - veneer than a genuine Indian expression, although it really is difficult to listen to the album and not be persuaded by the thoroughly worshipful feel attending each and every song. I guess that's what makes the recording....... Just Contagious!

Review by tom lennie

 Songs:
  1.  Worship Allegiance / O Jesus
  2.  Bounce
  3.  Run to the Lord
  4.  Gimme some of dat
  5.  Then the Police came
  6.  It could have been me
      *Bible reading*
  7.  Kids can be free
  8.  I lift You up
  9.  Elevator of Love
10.  Hot Cakes
11.  Like a Star (Oh yeah!)
      *Bible reading*
12.  Skyscraper
13.  Full of Praise (I come to You)
       Run to the Lord (reprise)

$12.00

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Press Release:
Released March 2, 2002. Captain Bill Mason’s LIVE kid’s worship CD.

  This CD was made for kids and features kids. Captured live on September 20, 2001, this recording features 14 original songs written by Bill Mason from Liverpool, England.  Bill Mason was at the forefront of the New Wave/Punk Rock scene in the UK in the late 70’s, releasing an innovative record called “No Sham!” by the Bill Mason Band.  Many years later finds Bill living in the USA and writing songs that have been inspired by God. “Some of these songs were written while I was out walking and praying. I would get the idea and the words and rush back to get it down on paper, then later add a tune.” states Bill.

  “I have been working in Children’s Church Ministry for over ten years and have built up a system with my kids. I play them the songs, and if they like them, if they walk out of the room singing them, then I know its worth sticking with it.”  Bill’s songs are pop-rock, with scriptural based words. He takes the Bible’s words and uses them in a way that kids can relate to and understand! Plus above all he does not talk down to them, so songs like the simple “Gimme some of dat” are placed alongside the worshipful “It could have been me,” and the prophetic sounding “Skyscraper,” written just weeks before September 11, 2001.

  “I believe that this CD has been born from the Holy Spirit, carried out with love and prayer, and now waits to bless and draw kids of all ages, to a living and worshipful relationship with Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God the Father, “these three are one,” from “I lift You up.”

  Using teenagers and college age kids from the churches Youth Praise Bands, the band rocks with excitement and energy. Bill wanted the parents to enjoy this CD, and hopes that they will not grimace when it is put on the CD player in the car, but will sing along and enjoy hearing kids rejoicing and praising Jesus!

  This CD is aimed at grades K through 6^th grade, but teenagers have been seen jumping for joy! Freshness and vitality abound in this recording!