Reviewed by Paddy Hudspith

The Salvation Army's International Staff Band (ISB) performed live at the Royal Albert Hall, London on Saturday 4th June 2011 alongside sister bands from Salvation Armies in Canada, Japan, Germany, Australia, the Netherlands and the USA. 'Brass Spectacular' captures the incredible occasion as close to 250 brass players joined in worship and celebration. Principal conductor Dr Stephen Cobb led the massed bands through a range of new works and adaptation of established tunes, including "Praise My Soul The King Of Heaven", "St Clements" and "Scottish Folk Variants". Centrepeice was the debut performance of Dudley Bright's "Pursuing Horizons", which highlights Paul's aspiration to grow in the knowledge of Christ as expressed in Philippians 3, and showcased the quality and experience of these bands who all trace their missionary heritage back to the growth of brass music during the industrialisation of Britain and, later, the rest of Europe. A wonderful occasion and a delight for all fans of brass band music.

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