Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Ever since I went to work in the world music department of copyright organisation MCPS, my ears have been open to the world's dazzling diversity of musical culture worldwide. So often we in the West have assumed that all the world listens only to the produce of the music industry multinationals and though it's true you can wander into an African village or a Cairo slum and find citizens listening to Michael Jackson, it's also true that nearly every ethnic group on this planet has retained its own folk art and musical identity. The spread of Christianity around the world has meant that these indigenous forms have been utilised by churches in worship and evangelism and now this absorbing and on some tracks thrilling album brings the rich diversity and spontaneous creativity of world music into sharp focus. Here are 10 tracks offering songs of faith from East Africa (East African Choir), India (Vinod Vishwas), Pakistan (Mehnaz), the Middle East (Jaad), Malawi (Namwera Yao Singers), Nepal (Loretto Singh and Munna Sundras) and others. Strange (to Western ears) tunings, rhythms and instruments abound while despite the songs' unfamiliarity and language barriers, a joy and lightness of spirit is continually communicated. This groundbreaking album is released to commemorate FEBA's 25 years on the air and its pioneering broadcasts in over 40 languages to 30 countries across Africa, Asia and the Middle East has long been a crucial work for the Gospel. If you want to support FEBA and/or if your musical palate has become jaded through listening to too much stylised Western music, here is a wonderful opportunity to expand your musical parameters and worship God in tongues!

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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