"The Kingdom & The Power"

  "The Kingdom & The Power" is the more upbeat of Scott Brenner's two most recent releases, which both feature intriguing art-graphics created in Seoul, South Korea. But don't be misled by the comparison of styles - this is no rocket-blaster! The material here is still gentle and devotional, aided on this output by soft percussion and the moderate inclusion of electric guitar on some tracks.
  The opening 'You're There' is a delightfully flowing number, with Scott sounding more like Chris De Burgh here than anywhere else. This flow of tender heat-felt worship continues throughout, with Scott's sweet, ever-melodic expressions of devotion truly capturing the heart. The songs featured here were all written or co-written by Brenner between the years of
1994 and 1998. None are duplicated on the companion "Paradise is Waiting" concept, but three of the tracks here were originally included on his '98 Songs of Sojourn venture. 'Capture My Heart' as I've already noted, clearly suggests the entire mood of the album. 'Joshua's Army' stands out because of it's warfare theme and it's upfront style; and as such I find it a bit of an intrusion on this otherwise very fine and delicate set. 'The Kingdom & The Power' is an 8-minute epic, rising to a crescendo as Brenner's voice soars in adoration of his King. It causes one's spirit to soar too. A most fitting
conclusion to this warm expression of worship, which finely portrays where this worshipper's heart truly lies.

Review by tom lennie

"In 2 Deep 2 Stand"

  As frontman of Winnipeg-based Tribe Of One, which seeks to combine a fusion of musical styles with professional dance to create a stunning live show, Rik Leaf is most clearly a musical innovator. Given the inviting space of a whole solo album, Rik imaginatively conjures a variety of edgy sounds that are as novel as wife Zara's cover design, and which make this reviewers task none too easy!
  Showing his familiarity with a whole range of styles within the musical spectrum, Rik experiments with the likes of rock, techno, soul/funk, calypso, dance, tribal and more! Lyrics, too, are drenched in Leaf's own, poetic originality (though sometimes directly Scripture-based), as he transparently throws out spiritual thoughts, ideas and heart-inspired prayers. 'Rescue me' is an ambient shuffle graced by gentle piano and founded on Psalm 63. The following 'Simple answer' is an ethereal cry from Rik's soul, exploring the deep meaning of love. Then there's 'Prepare the way', a brooding and intense piece combining strong percussion with searing guitar, and the more joyful 'So obvious', given texture by way of it's quirky accordion vibes. Other less-obvious tones adding richness to this venture include Andrew Smith's harmonica and mandolin (Andrew also provides first class production); slide guitar and (as well as programming) a good half-dozen or more traditional forms of percussion.
  Musically this album twists and turns from track to explorative track. The result is not a pretentious and inharmonious melee of noises, but an intriguing 60 minute tapestry of true diversity/ingenuity.

Review by tom lennie

Recorded live February 1999 at Christian Assembly in Los Angeles.  Distributed by Get Down Records.
This is a tremendous double album.  Not just the recording of a worship leader and his band, but the entire congregation join in on most songs to provide a truly live experience.  Most live P&W CDs have those that attend as the spectators, while on this CD the majority of the singing is done by the church body with great clarity in the recording.  Put CD One on and join in the chorus of songs like That’s Why We Praise Him and As We Worship You.  CD Two opens with a nine minute medley of songs - just another great section of the album, then there are songs like I Know that My Redeemer Lives followed by Doxology that will lift you into the heavenly realm.  This CD has everything you would ever want in a live praise & worship album:  Upbeat songs, free flowing worship, strong worship leader in Tommy Walker, great band in the CA Worship Band, very strong background vocals provided by those in attendance, wonderful songs, and most important, the presence of the Holy Spirit.  The majority of the songs were written by Tommy Walker.
This is one CD you should buy!!  CD priced at $16.95.

"Live At Home"

  Herein lies a sumptuous musical feast celebrating a 'decade of blessing' upon the Christian Assembly, Los Angeles; 'a simple church.....experiencing what we feel is a unique move of God'. The project was recorded 'Live at Home'...' in our own small building just like we do every weekend'. The impression given on entering this joyous yet sincere praise-time is of a congregation clearly abounding in thankfulness to their Lord......the One from whom all blessings truly flow.
  Veteran songwriter Tommy Walker leads or co-leads vocals on several of the songs here (which are largely his own compositions), but a host of other extremely talented soloists are brought up front on many tracks, providing fascinating musical diversity. And while several numbers are upbeat, none are 'loud' or over-the-top.
  Check, the gentle beauty of 'As We Worship You', for example, or the delightful nine-song medley at the start of disc 2. Also included are perhaps the most striking versions of the popular hymns 'My Redeemer Lives' and 'Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow' that I have ever heard, both featuring the solo-vocal perfection of Linda McCrary. The list goes on. The musicianship is exemplary too, including as it does the fine sax, clarinet and flute improvisation of none other than Latin American maestro Justo Almario.
  "Live at Home" - a sumptuous musical feast indeed. Why, 'home' never felt so good!

Review by tom lennie

"Pre-Revival Days"

  There are three musical sides to Ian White's music ministry. There's his creative studio sound, at which he truly excels; there's the children's ministry, evidenced in countless simple but highly infectious kid's choruses and several albums; and then there's Ian's 'live' worship ministry. Ian has a tremendous ability to encourage even the most reserved Christian to relax and open up his/her heart (and mouth!) in abandoned worship. Anyone who has seen him live will remember the free atmosphere of worship present. This gifting undoubtedly stems from Ian's humility, his own passion for God, and his ardent desire to lead others into a deeper relationship with Him.
  For those who haven't heard him 'live' - fear not - you come pretty close to that experience by entering into the atmosphere of this project, Ian's first album comprised totally of songs for congregational use. The album was recorded live in Edinburgh and Dunfermline, Scotland, and captures well the essence of Ian's 'live' sound. Two versions of the album are available - go for the UK version; the cover is less attractive and intriguing but it contains 3 more songs - and you don't want to miss them!
  Thirteen self-penned songs, unpretentious and uncomplicated, but spiritually uplifting and delightfully catchy. You simply cannot help but be drawn into an expression of worship. In fact, you're likely to be singing these songs for hours after each listen!
  Some songs are deeply sensitive and inspirational, such as 'The Mystery of God' and 'Healing Love', (dedicated to the children of the Nagorno Karabakh in Central Asia). Others are upbeat and infectiously quirky, like 'Worshipping the Living God' and 'Free to Live'. All flow along in heart-felt and inviting worship, culminating in the two appropriately celebratory closing tracks.
  A wonderful showpiece of Ian White in fine 'live' form. Ian prays that 'the songs will not only be enjoyable to listen to in the kitchen, the car, or whatever(!), but that they will be sung!' Sung? You'll be singing them in your sleep!

Review by tom lennie

"live @ revelation WAVE”

  With a rather enigmatic album design portraying an unknown artist, this product cover reveals little. Open up, however, and you are presented with a 2-hour+ worship experience of excellence and delight. Malc Garda is worship leader at Revelation Church, Chichester, in the south of England; a church deeply serious about reclaiming Britain's ancient Celtic spirituality. This emphasis is reflected in various ways throughout this musical extravaganza. A beautiful rendition of an Iona song is performed; there are two short but effective traditional Irish reels; we hear a popular Celtic hymn, and there
flows a series of six 'waves' - brooding atmospheric instrumentals performed spontaneously, revealing the band's great versatility and talent.
  In addition to this intriguing mix comes a Kevin Prosch anthem, a couple of Delirious? songs (most sensitively performed), and the controversial inclusion of Joan Osborne's 'One Of Us'. As if that wasn't enough, UK group Fruit are noted amongst Malc's 'friends' and interject on this project three of their own original and stunning compositions.
  Why does this amazing eclectic mixture gel together so well? I don't know, but I know that it does. And how! This is a rare spiritual journey, lacking in convention, instead full of surprise at every turn. Oh, and did I mention the incredible
3-min guitar virtuoso-act on disc 2..........

review by tom lennie

My Heart Shall Journey is a compilation of some of Adrian’s best songs over the period 1984-1994.  Many times a “Best of” CD never seems to capture the sense of a great album, but this new album clearly shows the brilliance of Adrian Snell.  Adrian uses many music styles (classical, praise & worship, contemporary, and great instrumentals) to produce music at a higher level.
City of Peace explores the Jewish faith within which Christianity finds it’s roots.  This double CD, with it’s great spiritual depth, must be considered one of the major accomplishments in Christian music.
The top Adrian Snell CDs can be purchased from this site (see box below) - I highly recommend four other Adrian albums:  Alpha & Omega, Song of an Exile, The Passion, and Father.

"My Heart Shall Journey"

  Adrian Snell is one of Britain's most consistent contemporary Christian musicians, having performed for many years in venues large and small throughout the world, and delivering numerous highly-acclaimed recordings.
  "My Heart Shall Journey" is a compilation-album capturing highlights from Adrian's 10-year 'journey' between 1984 and 1994. And what a musical voyage it has been! It is extremely difficult to categorize Adrian. Due to his true creative genius, he stretches across many musical boundaries. Catchy pop-tunes, evocative instrumentals, operatic-sounds, melancholic ballads, guitar-driven rock pieces; I tell you this man fits into no 'box'!
  Thematically too, this artist conforms to no convention. His lyrics are as varied as they are challenging, covering such topics as starvation in the developing world, physical disability, a young girls experience in a Nazi concentration camp, and fear. There are more 'positive' themes too, ofcourse, in songs such as 'I Am The Way', 'No More Tears', and 'Alpha and Omega'. Adrian tackles real-life subjects with a profound sense of the prophetic as well as the beautifully poetic. This is intelligent music.
  There are sixteen tracks on this set, lasting a full 1 hour, 17 mins. Add to this an artistically-designed 20-page booklet packed with photos, friends' comments, personal observations, as well as lyrics and musical credits, and you have a veritable treasure of great value.
  It is a magnificent collection, featuring also many other accomplished musicians, including David Fitzgerald and Dave Bainbridge (from Iona), and the gorgeous harmony vocals of Caroline Bonnett.
  A spiritual, musical and poetic masterpiece.

"City Of Peace" - the complete work

  Originally two separate albums, "City Of Peace" is now offered as a 2 x CD pack, consisting of material composed by Adrian over a three-year period and recorded in his home town of Bath, England in 1995. The work showcases the artist at his creative best, and utilizing his favourite sources of inspiration, namely the Bible and traditional Jewish poetry.
  Part one - Moriah ('God will provide') - focuses on certain Old Testament events such as the making of the Covenant and the giving of the Law, finding it's climax in the story of Abraham's calling to sacrifice his son Isaac (Gen 22). This is ofcourse a foreshadow of the atonement, the sacrificing of God's only Son, as Adrian clearly makes known.
  Part 2 - My every Breath - chronicles events from the exile of Israel to their return to the Land of their Fathers, culminating in the vocal 'City of Peace', based on passages from Isaiah. A separate and this time instrumental 'City of Peace' appears at various junctures on this set, and is a beautiful moving flute-based piece. In both works, Adrian's use of poetry and rich musical soundscapes carries a dramatic, atmospheric effect. You cannot help but feel as if you are re-living these biblical events as you listen. Surely just what the artist intended.
  Adrian is supported by an accomplished team of musicians, including David Fitzgerald on saxaphones and all things woodwind. Martin Neil joins in on a huge range of percussion tools, including Cook Island Log Drums, African tambourine, Indian Clay Drum, Turkish Drum, Bull Roarer and Chilean Rainstick! Quite an international array! Adding to this is the warm, prominent vocals of the 'Reflex' Choir, recorded as they were, in Oslo, Norway. And to complete the global picture, "City of Peace" had it's world premiere in June 1995 in Jerusalem, Israel. What an occasion that must have been! Thankfully, the whole work can be experienced again and again care of this fine and absolutely timeless package.

Reviews by tom lennie

"Revival In Belfast"

  Robin Mark, a successful businessman in his own right, has been leading worship at Christian Fellowship Church in Belfast for over 9 years. Having recorded several independent albums, he only became well known outside Northern Ireland with the release of "Room for Grace" in '96, breaking further ground with "This City These Streets" in '98. "Revival In Belfast", a Hosanna venture recorded in Mark's home church, opens up his worship style to an even wider audience.
  Leaning heavily on the Ireland - Celtic connection, this album comes loaded with the sounds of uillean pipes, Irish whistles, fiddle and bhodran. A fair variety of material is offered - including the flowing opener 'Garments of Praise', written by Jamie Harvill, and Martin Smith's rousing 'Shout to the North'. On a gentler plane, a couple of outstanding brand new
songs are presented; including the quite stunning 'How Great are You Lord' and 'With all Faith', sung by local musician Peter Wilson (aka Booley!). But for many listeners it will be Mark's own stirring anthems that steal the show. Nowhere are the hugely popular 'Revival' and 'Days of Elijah' sung with more aplomb, creating such a powerful atmosphere.
  This is a unique recording, drawing together from a 'religiously' divided land people from all Christian streams, to celebrate the unity that is truly ours in Christ.

Review by tom lennie