Tony Cummings and Mike Rimmer survey all the releases to find the best Christian music albums of 2006.

VARIOUS - Many Voices, One Song (WEC International)
The fact that this extraordinary, world music compilation has been made available for FREE by WEC International (Worldwide Evangelisation for Christ) is incredible news particularly as so many Christians in the West still suffer from zero comprehension of the cultural diversity of the world Church. This fascinating trawl through numerous forms of indigenous music addresses that ignorance. These worship songs/recordings emanate from Spain, Brazil, The Gambia, Senegal, India, Tibet, Thailand, Tunisia, the Basque country and a couple of Asian nations that can't be named for security reasons and the music here is stunning in its diversity - from Santana-esque rock worship in Spain to griot-style kora playing in Senegal and The Gambia. It's also a fully interactive CD; pop it into your Mac or PC and it opens up a wealth of information - both on the artists featured and the countries from which they come. To locate this album visit http://www.wec-int.org.uk/main/breaking/dec06news3.php
Tony Cummings

PIVITPLEX - The King In A Rookery (Hawley)
The Montana five-piece's 2003 debut 'Under Museum Quality Glass' was good but this is breathtaking. Pivitplex have reinvented themselves and as a result America's influential CCM magazine called it "an unbelievable alternative power pop masterpiece" and Christian music's "answer to 'Sgt Pepper' and 'Pet Sounds'." Searing guitar riffs, odd instrumentation, sweeping string arrangements and intricate vocal harmonies collide to make one of the most intriguing musical soundscapes heard for years while tracks like the punk-tinged "The Deal" and "I Am Alive" sound like they could be monster radio hits. All in all, an audio feast for all pop and rock fans.
Tony Cummings
(£9.97 @ Cross Rhythms Direct)

JONNY LANG - Turn Around (A&M, US import)
After 'Long Time Coming' indicated to the world that American cult hero Jonny Lang had become a Christian 'Turn Around' confirms the deal with an uncompromising album. Blue eyed soul is the underlying vibe throughout this excellent collection of songs and vocally Lang has one of those goose bump-inducing voices where if he were just singing the proverbial phone directory you'd be reduced to tears! Thematically, here are a bunch of songs that are peppered with references to express his faith. Then there are plenty of moments when Jonny's searing blues guitar comes to the fore while his accompaniments are awash in Hammond! The result is stunning! He's become a Christian and wants others to do the same. "One Person At A Time" sets out his manifesto, the groovy "Thankful" sees him duetting with fellow blue-eyed soul man Michael McDonald but it's the country-tinged, stripped down "Only A Man" that sees him confessing his need of Jesus that sits at the heart of this excellent album. It's a track you must hear.
Mike Rimmer
(£9.97 @ Cross Rhythms Direct)

NOEL ROBINSON & NU IMAGE - Garment Of Praise (One Voice)
Noel Robinson has delivered good albums in the past and he is rightly recognised as an excellent songwriter and guitar player. He's also been the key figure in awakening Britain's African Caribbean church to the concept of the worship leader. With 'Garment Of Praise' everything came together at once. Whether it's the tight vocal performances that shine throughout the album, the uncompromising focus on worship throughout the two discs or the fact that these songs simply minister to the listener, it's all working! My own personal highlights include the faith stirring "You Are My Healer" complete with testimonies at the end, and the unreservedly '70s funk vibe of the title cut which must be the most rhythmic praise song recorded in the UK this year. Here are 18 songs that cross genre and church boundaries with a dynamic unique British sound.
Mike Rimmer
(£9.97 @ Cross Rhythms Direct)

DOWNHERE - Wide-Eyed And Mystified (Centricity)
After a couple of releases on Word Records without huge success, a change of label is working well for this Canadian quartet. This year's release combines strong melodies with groovy pop rock power and a double lead vocal attack that is infectious. The 13 songs captured here also see the band hit new heights. Whether it's the thunderous "The More" or the quieter "Unbelievable" and "The Real Jesus", it's the group's insightful songwriting which leaps out of the speakers. The bawled "A Better Way" is one of the best songs released this year with its view of the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. With gigs promised in the UK in 2007, maybe this will be the year that Brits discover the power of the music by these Canadian cousins.
Mike Rimmer
(£9.97 @ Cross Rhythms Direct)

THE BRONZEMEN - Spiritual Singing By The Bronzemen: Radio Transcriptions 1939 (Document)
Not really a 2006 release (in fact this CD was originally issued in 1996, in Austria no less), the obscurity of both these original recordings and their reissue, by the amazing Document Records, means that it falls on Cross Rhythms to shine a belated spotlight on the amazing music captured here. Recorded for radio broadcast in April and September 1939, these tracks demonstrate the jubilee harmony style in all its pristine, spine-tingling power. If you've been put off acappella music by all those dull albums by white harmonisers Nashville released in the '90s these historic sides by a completely unknown quintet will amaze you. Beautiful, harmonically dense versions of timeless spirituals like "Standing In The Need Of Prayer", "Down By The Riverside" and "Deep River" reach effortlessly across the decades while the track "I Want To Be A Christian" reveals something truly transcendent.
Tony Cummings
(£9.97 @ Cross Rhythms Direct)

ROBERT RANDOLPH & THE FAMILY BAND - Colorblind (Warner Bros, US import)
The Jimi Hendrix of the pedal steel guitar serves up a flashy set blending together sacred steel, blues, rock and gospel to create something unique. From the horn filled funk of "Diane" to the understated groove of "Homecoming", every track leaps out of the speakers and into your soul. Randolph has reigned in his tendency to create huge jams and instead given us a tight spare album packed with dynamic performances that proves he's the best pedal steel player in the world. The fact that special guest Eric Clapton gets upstaged on the fabulous version of the Doobie's/dc Talk's "Jesus Is Just Alright" is testimony to Randolph's genius. I've been playing that track to death on Rimmerama and like the rest of this album, it never fails to make jaws drop.
Mike Rimmer
(£9.97 @ Cross Rhythms Direct)