Yazz - Running Back To You

Published Tuesday 12th February 2008
Yazz - Running Back To You
Yazz - Running Back To You

STYLE: Pop
RATING 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 38576-13599
LABEL: Daybreak EMMPYZ01
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1
RELEASE DATE: 2008-02-10
RRP: £12.99

Reviewed by David Faulkner

Those readers who've read Yazz's powerful testimony on the Cross Rhythms website will know full well that this isn't a case of a one-time chartmaker trying to find a new market with a gospel album. It's a cleverly crafted, impressively produced set of faith-lifting songs. Stylistically, it moves between pop ("Look To Me" has echoes of All Saints' "Never Ever"), R&B vocals and a jazz sax solo on "So Glad" and, for those with a memory for these things, Sue Rinaldi's mid-'90s club-dance CDs. The songs mix originals and covers from the likes of the Parachute Band and Scott Wesley Brown. Most astonishing of all is the rework of Marie Barnett's worship classic "Breathe". With plenty of Christian media exposure this will surely be a big seller for 'Running Back To You' is uniformly excellent. I've never awarded more than nine squares on Cross Rhythms before, but this time, the only way is. . . well, you know. . .

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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Product Description
Mixing vocal, soul, pop and R&B, her new album, Running Back To You features touching, uplifting and inspiring songs, sung with that rich and expressive voice that is instantly recognizable.

Reader Comments

Posted by Lou @ 11:36 on Oct 2 2008

This is without doubt the most gorgeous album ever! A must-have for any Christian. It's full of treasures; some obvious and others hidden as you listen more cloesly each time. Truly beautiful; it's a testimony in itself.



Posted by Darren in Notts, United Kingdom @ 02:15 on May 25 2008

Yazz applies herself and produces a wonderful 13 track album with the same talent that rocketed her to fame with the 1988 ‘Wanted’ album, birthing the subsequent 6 week No1 hit and biggest selling UK single of the year ‘The only way is up’- and surely it must be….The opening track ‘Freedom’ is a catchy Latino carnival testimonial proclaiming Yazz’s freedom in Christ, utilising the piano skills from husband Enrique, a wonderfully fresh sound that leads on to the albums second track ‘Love Creation’, a soft melodic approach to Genesis one, blending superbly with ‘You are my daily bread’- I recall melting in worship the first time I heard this Marie Barnett composition - Yazz delivers this song with a slightly more upbeat tempo but to the same effect!
On to the astoundingly intimate and soulful ‘Deeper Love’…… an impassioned song that sings right to your core, truly moving.
The album title track ‘Running back to you’ conveys brilliantly the urgency felt when a person recognises their need to get into relationship with God, whilst the acoustic ‘Strength to carry on’ is a reminder of who we rely on in times of adversity .The respectful and sweet soul sound from ‘You are Holy’ precedes ‘Jerusalem’- an excellent example and expression of Yazz’s song writing talent and fantastic vocal range. The joyful Africa beat emanating from ‘Joy in the morning’ brings on a foot tapping frenzy, before we’re reminded of “for out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks” or in this case as Yazz sings ‘My Heart Speaks’, a reflection on the signs of the times- a great prelude to ‘So Glad’, a celebration of Yazz’s position and relationship with God.
The peaceful and mellifluous ballad with daughter Rio in ‘Look To Me’ infuses a wonderful harmony you can expect from a talented mother and daughter duo, Rio features through much of the album with blended harmonies, and it’s with harmony that the album finishes, ‘Amazing Grace’, how sweet the sound….Amen.

Darren Mangold



Posted by Bob Wood in Taunton @ 22:49 on Apr 30 2008

"So Glad" could be a mainstream chart hit easily, if only it were picked up by a major radio station. Just excellent and worth every one of it's 10/10.



Posted by Alan M in London @ 22:30 on Feb 8 2008

This is quite the warmest and most beautiful worship record I have ever heard. The songs and production are exquisite. Buy it now - and copies for your friends and church - you will not be disappointed. This CD has the cross-over appeal (pop/soul/R&B) to bring worship music and the love of Jesus back into the mainstream where they belong. I truly cannot recommend this album highly enough ...


Reply by Aurore Clemmett in Spain @ 11:54 on Apr 22 2008

I completely agree...this has to be the best Contemporary Christian Album for years...it is totally inspiring and challenging and fresh... ( my heart speaks is so fresh)...thank God she isn't selling out with poor production and safe lyrics..my faith has been really charged!Rock it Cross Rhythmns!

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