STYLE: Pop RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 157027-23097 LABEL: Independent FORMAT: CD Album ITEMS: 1
Reviewed by Tony Cummings
Island ECC is the largest English-speaking church in Hong Kong and Renew Worship is their worship team. A key figure in the team is Jeff Caylor, a name some Cross Rhythms listeners will recognize - before relocating to Hong Kong this American singer/songwriter had something of a Cross Rhythms turntable hit with "Pain Is A Megaphone". Jeff and wife Leora released an album under the name the Weathering which, like this set, was produced by that talented Ulsterman Trevor Michael. 'Home' sounds like a studio album though the polite congregation cheering at the end of each track suggests that at least some of it was recorded live in the Chinese province. Keyboards dominate the arrangements and well played they are though personally I'd have liked a couple of faster songs. But Renew Worship's performances and songs are often memorable and from the lilting opener "Come Home" through to the slow and reverential "Unveil My Eyes" closer, there's much to enjoy here. A reviewer on iTunes wrote how it was "great to hear such ancient truths paired with such modern arrangements." I would add that it's great also to hear the Caylors have lost none of their songwriting and singing craft.
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