Reviewed by Brendan O'Regan

In a way this is generic praise and worship compilation. Musically there's too surprising and it serves as a sampler as, followers of this annual series will know, the tracks have been taken from existing albums. The music comes from a variety of UK venues and events including Spring Harvest, the Keswick Convention, Newday and London Vineyard. The live element isn't too audible - there's clapping at the end of tracks, some unobtrusive congregational singing and occasionally the worship leading singer encourages people to join in. There's a reasonably good balance between uptempo pop-style songs, mid tempo ballad-style hymns and some quieter reflective material. The uptempo "Let It Be Known" makes a particularly suitable opening track - "We're gonna sing it out/For all the world to hear." Some of the acoustic rock-style songs make an impression, for example the soulful Will Reagan song "Nothing I Hold On To" that starts with pared back guitar and builds both vocally and instrumentally as the song proceeds with an almost Taizé-like repetition of key phrases - "I lean not on my own understanding." While the worship sentiments are pretty standard there are some appealing metaphors that go beyond that - the water imagery is well developed on the classic song "Oceans" originally recorded by Hillsong United. The package offers lyrics to all the songs but leaves purchasers to figure out who precisely is singing. Amongst those I identified are Justin Jarvis, Pete James, Phatfish and Martin Smith.

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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