Reviewed by Chris Tozer

Kingsway Music sure have progressed since I bought their very first live album - ‘Sound Vision In Concert’. But then, that was way back on the wrong side of 1970 and long before most of the worship leaders at last summer’s Grapevine event in rural Lincolnshire were even born – excluding great uncle Chris Bowater, of course. Enough of the history. This album largely features comparatively recent material from most of the currently ‘en vogue’ British and Australian worship songwriters – ie, Redman, Zschech, Townend, Mark and Hughes - plus a batch of relative newcomers to the big Bible Week stage. Of these, one to particularly watch out for is Godfrey Birtill who wrote and sang “Looking For Your Presence”. Vocally, he’s very much at ease in the mould of Martin Smith. But lyrically he heads out into uncharted territory with lines like “Can your heavy glory rest on me?” Another is Andy Bromley, who I recall being pivotal to the production of several Northamptonshire church-based recordings that I reviewed quite a few years ago. For this new collection he wrote and ably sings “Clothed With Splendour” and “Glorious King”. As for the ultimate gems, just listen to this year’s “in” hymn – Stuart Townend’s “In Christ Alone” and, by way of contrast, Tim Hughes’ classic “Light Of The World”. If your church has yet to sing them, then you won’t find a better teacher than this impressive album.

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