Reviewed by Lins Honeyman

Anyone who has sampled the studio work of Canadian gospel, soul and funk group Newworldson will know how inventive and tight a unit they are and this set, recorded in West Sussex at the 2014 Big Church Day Out festival, proves that they are just as adept in a live setting. Front man Joel Parisien's soulful vocal performance is the glue that sticks everything together but the band as a whole showcase their innate improvisational skills with a collection of spirituals, old gospel blues songs and originals that have what sounds like a fairly small crowd clapping and cheering in appreciation. One senses that this gig was more of a jam session for the Ontario band with tracks like "Get Right Church" and "99 and ½" - the latter played for the first time and remarkably without rehearsal - running in excess of the 10 minute mark. Elsewhere, Newworldson favourites "Salvation Station" and "Shake Holy Spirit" (complete with spoons solo) get the live treatment to great effect with only a workmanlike version of the Curtis Mayfield classic "People Get Ready" not quite hitting the mark despite some fine soloing from Dale Dixon, Leroy Emmanuel and Dave Watson on sax, guitar and flute respectively. Ultimately what shines through is the sheer musical talent of all involved - none more so than in the shop window-like "Europa" which finds each band member taking their turn to exhibit the gift God has given them whilst offering it back up to Jesus in worship.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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