Reviewed by Ryan Connor

Nick has plenty of experience having been a co-founder of fondly remembered indie rock band Coastal Dune and working with his wife Becky on all age worship at St Pauls church in Hammersmith, London. Now he weighs in with his solo worship debut and this eight song mini-album makes Nick an impressive addition to the Survivor Records roster. The album opens with the title track on which the instruments and vocals come together to produce a simple but uplifting track with a haunting piano figure and with surging lead guitar coming in on the chorus. Nick's warm vocals bring a very relaxing feel to the project while the organic production from the Weeks brothers lets the music and instruments speak. There are many open spaces and bridges in the songs where the music alone flows and invites listeners to reflect and journey with the music. Particularly outstanding is "You Shall Be Praised" which ends with an alluring piano solo while the closer is the old hymn "Come Thou Fount" that has been re-composed for a contemporary feel. A CD which equally invites both participatory worship and quiet reflection.

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.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.

All For Christ is the debut release for Nick J Drake, worship pastor at St Paul’s, Hammersmith. There’s a openness about it that is infectious, a wide-eyed trust in God that ignites the sort of songs that refuses to stay silent.

There’s a back story to Nick that is clearly at work here; from his training in theology, the musical influence of Kevin Prosch while Nick was a teenager and his commitment to creating space in which worshippers can encounter God’s presence. They all combine to make an album that’s wonderfully fresh.