FAITH ‘99, ‘98 & ‘97
HIS GLORY IS RISEN UPON YOU  -  SEEDTIME & HARVEST  -  MORE FIRE  -  GOD INHABITED LIVE
from Kingdom Faith Ministries

More Fire - the most anointed live worship CD ever! (the 2nd CD that is).  Recorded at the 1997 Kingdom Faith Ministries annual camp held in England.  This is a double CD with some fabulous worship songs.  On the second CD there are many spontaneous music and worship segments that will lead you into the presence of the Lord.   God Inhabited - from the youth conference of Faith ‘97.

"More Fire - Faith 97"

  This recording was made at Kingdom Faith Ministries' '97 conference in England, which is headed by pastor Colin Urquhart. This year's event contained so much anointed ministry that the producers couldn't contain it all on one disc, so they went for a double instead! And excellent it is too. Worship leaders Deborah Page and Michelle Mckay make use of a wonderful collection of songs, mainly from within their own group of churches. However you'll also find Brian Doerksen's 'Faithful One' and two Jarrod Cooper songs here. The whole double-album flows along in earnest and deeply inspiring worship.  'Anointing' rings out from every song, and the overall atmosphere really is awesome. This is especially true of those prophetic and spontaneous songs of praise (there are 6 such pieces altogether, all on disc 2). The last of these is a 15-minute spontaneous instrumental, where trumpet, sax, guitar, violin and percussion all offer, both individually and collectively, musical laud and honour to The King of Kings. The effect is truly amazing and deeply moving.
  Also included is an extremely moving version of Isaac Watts' 'When I Survey'; while the 10-minute 'I Will Magnify' is utterly magnificent.
  This is gorgeous worship, though not for the faint-hearted. A truly special recording.

"His Glory is Risen Upon You - Faith 99"

  The annual Kingdom Faith camp has been running for 17 years, providing teaching with an emphasis on faith and holiness. Life-impacting worship has also been a constant strong point, and thankfully KF has been capturing their special form of praise and worship on record for a number of years, with "His Glory.." continuing in that tradition.
  Like it's 1997 predecessor (the 2 x CD "More Fire"), although not quite as outstanding as that magnum opus, "His Glory..." nevertheless carries a truly compelling sound. In fact, only by experiencing this church's worship could you possibly be convinced of it's uniqueness and true depth of passion. Thank the Lord for the benefits of 'live' recording technology!
  Nearly all songs are new, and all are totally Christ-centered. Some are highly celebratory, with an infectiousness that just makes you want to get up and dance (so I did!). In this category is the opener 'He's Alive' and the swing-jazz praise of 'You rule and You reign'. But it's those (thankfully prolonged) times of subdued, intimate worship (as with similar moments on "More Fire") that really knock me out. 'It is He', 'I will sing to the Lord', and the fashionable hymn 'Here is love' all flow along in the most heart-soaring worship. Just beautiful! What a privilege to take part in such God-honouring praise!
  With the inimitable and oft-times soaring vocals of Michelle Mckay leading throughout, this is another musical prize of real value. Outstanding.

Reviews by tom lennie

Upbeat, moody, beautiful - these words all describe the music of Wellspring.

"Going Deeper"

  The rather sparse liner notes attached to this package provide little information about the musicians, their songs or the background details to the recording. This is thankfully compensated for by a striking cover design, and much more so by a rich musical offering of rare spiritual depth. Recorded at the New Life Worship Center, Smithfield, Rhode island, "Going
Deeper" appears to be largely the work of Mr. Brian Cooney. Not only does he lead the worship, he also wrote the music and lyrics to all tracks but one, as well as co-producing the project.
  It very quickly becomes clear that, despite it's 'in-house' recording and mixing, this is no amateur production. On the contrary it is a classy slice of professionalism, which took me quite by surprise. A variety of musical styles are elicited, some with a deep pop/rock beat, (though never loudly rocky), most songs flowing along amicably. With good musicianship and pleasant harmony vocals, it is nonetheless Brian Cooney's striking voice that stands out most. He carries a most accomplished and passionate sound, which makes you wonder why you've never heard him before (unless ofcourse you've listened to "Send Revival", the predecessor to this output). Is it his fitting humility that keeps his name from being credited as 'artist' on the front cover?
  What is furthermore evident on tuning in to this performance, is the depth of spiritual passion released. These worshipers are totally serious about their faith, and the (intentional) effects are most compelling. You'll want to hear the desire to abide in God expressed in the catchy 'I Will Dwell In Your House', or the equally infectious 'Flying On The Wind'. Check also the unusual prophetic moments captured in, e.g. the heart-soaring 'My Heart is Stirred', based on Psalm 45. Brian's wife Jane Cooney steps up to the mike on the delectable intimacy of 'Where Would I Be'; voicing some challenging thoughts; 'Please take the coal and burn my dross away, 'Til this world has no hold over me'. The set finishes with the yearning call of the 7-min 'Hear The Cry', where music, words and formidable lead vocals are taken care of by Ron Termale.
  An appropriate conclusion to a fascinating album. 'Going Deeper'? Give attention to this recording, hearts of stone excepted, and you'll have little option, nor the desire for one.

Review by tom lennie

"Promised Land"

  Sue Rinaldi has been working full-time in music since the eighties, being at one time part of the singing group Heartbeat. However, keen to avoid a 'conveyer belt mentality' tempting musicians to release an album every year or year and a half, "Promised Land" is just her second solo recording, the first being "Love Eternal" back in 1994. As well as travelling extensively with her band, Sue is also extremely active as a column journalist, a broadcaster, and as a member of various advisory boards. She has also written her first book,on the subject of Christian ethics in a post-modern society.
  "Promised Land" is a musically varied set of material, written by the artist - often in conjunction with close friend and fellow-musician Caroline Bonnett, who also produced the project (the likes of Dave Clifton and the ubiquitous Mark Edwards also appear on the album's credits). This is pop music with a totally contemporary edge, showing real creativity as the mood and sound change from song to song. Some have an upbeat quirky style, as in 'Once I see' and 'Can U hear me', some, such as 'Please' and 'Holy river', a funky soulful groove. Yet others have a deep, reflective atmosphere (e.g.,
'Rich girl', 'Time and again' and the beautiful 'Lay myself down'); but all suggest an honesty and passion for God in the heart of this 'Restless pilgrim' (in fact the title to the penultimate track).
  You may have heard Sue's contributions to the massive 1997 'Champion of the world' event at London's Wembley Stadium, either by being there or afterwards on disc. If you long to know more about her thoughts, inspirations and musical expression, then check out "Promised Land".

Review by tom lennie

APOSTLE’S CREED Worship Collection 2
TAKE US IN  -  PURE HEART Worship Collection 1
by Dan Wilt - Canada

"Take Us In"

  Dan Wilt is a pastor at Cambridge Vineyard, Ontario, Canada, where he also leads worship. An experienced musician, he has featured on several Vineyard collections, including the recent TtFH No. 40 "Healing in Your Wings", and the even more recent Winds of Worship 15 release recorded during Vineyard Canada's 2nd National Conference in July '99. "Take Us In" is the second in Dan's PureHeart Worship Collection, and shows him taking new steps in musical creativity. Most songs were composed by Dan or by close colleague Bruce Ellis, who makes a generous contribution to the project; providing keyboard sounds and background vocals, as well as taking the production controls!
  Dan's style musically moves from upbeat no's such as the quirky 'Great Big God' and the full sounds of 'Be Exalted', to the rock'n'roll swing of 'My Jesus Loves Me', to deeply emotional expressions such as 'Take Us In' and 'Sow In Me'. with it's tone of utter surrender. Electric guitar on most tracks comes care of David Viglianti, a talented worship leader in his own right, who has also released a solo project. David in fact wrote words and music to Dan's cry-of-the-heart 'Let Justice Roll' featured here. Another delicious song is the worshipful 'Here In My Heart' with the affectionate lead vocals of Melissa Boraski (also with a solo album to her name!). Oh, and what about the delicate 'I Will Have Faith' featuring Leanne Ackerman on lead vocals......
  As you can tell, there's plenty of talent on offer here; overflowing in fact. This is a genuine yet creative worship offering.

Review by tom lennie

"Art"

  "Art" is to a great extent the work of Andrew Smith, assisted by fellow worship leaders Ari Neufeld and Kim Johnson, and others. The project was released by Remnant Records, and recorded at RR's own studios, both owned by Andrew, who produced the album, and is also found playing a wide variety of instruments as well as providing the synth and drum programming. The song-writing is largely shared by the three artists (along with two compositions by Nathan Reiger), and this multi-talented diversity produces much creativity and constant interest. There are, thankfully, few cliches on offer here, the lyrics being both poetic and passionate, thoughtful and challenging. The music too, semi-acoustic in nature, is innovative and eclectic, with all threads coming together as a unified whole. A three-fold cord, they say, is not easily broken.
  Kim Johnson sings poignant songs of surrender in 'At Your Feet', 'Reckless Abandon and in the piano subtlety of 'I am Yours' (which also appears on Winnipeg Vineyard's "Shake Off the Dust" cd), . Ari Neufeld presents food for thought in 'To Resist You', and on the title-track 'Art', as well as closing proceedings with the unusual benediction of 'Unison'. Andrew's material on the other hand is more catchy and accessible. Check his 'Beauty for Ashes' (not the Crystal Lewis version!), with great harmonica improv. c/o himself, and the country rock delights of 'All Creation's King' and 'Close 2 U'.
  An impressive recording. Rich poetic ideas and truths, dressed in pleasantly creative contemporary music-form, and presented in a highly artistic visual package. This is Art indeed.

Review by tom lennie

"Prodigal Daughter"

  Canadian Norm Strauss has been active in Christian contemporary music for over 15 years, as a song-writer, vocalist, guitarist and drummer. He has worked alongside David Ruis and has also contributed to projects emanating form Andrew Smith's Remnant Records. In early 1998 Norm moved across to Europe to help set up the 'Worship purE' independent worship school located in Neunkirchen, in the heart of Germany. Later in the same year he recorded this album along with a band of highly proficient musicians from that country.
  "Prodigal Daughter" is an eclectic blend of acoustic folk and rock sounds; spiritually poignant songs penned (bar one) by the artist himself. We find flowing worship pieces like 'Higher Love' and 'Your Love is like a banner' (gorgeous co-lead vocals from Claudia Lemperle on this one); sensitive and thoughtful statements as in Andrew Smith's beautiful
country-tinged title track; and chunky rock'n'roll with funky jazz overtones in 'Somebody unchained my feet tonight' and 'Bitter'. Norm's version of the popular Lord's Prayer is another standout.
  Classy sounds. This is contemporary Christian music you won't be embarrassed to play before non-Christian friends. Here's hoping the message hits home too.

Review by tom lennie