Reviewed by Simon Redfern

'Redemption' is the fourth CD in the Focus On series giving us a collection of themed tracks written by some of the most prominent names in CCM such as Matt Redman, Gareth Robinson and Tim Hughes. Although this CD doesn't feature the original recordings producer Andy Green has managed to come up with a number of quality arrangements with his team of musicians from the UK and USA. The CD kicks off with a particularly good rendition of "My Saviour Redeemer (For All You've Done)" featuring some great female vocals and country style twanging guitars which gives the song a novel twist. Matt Redman's "Thank You Thank You For The Blood" is next up which is a great song but the delivery in this case was a touch bland and the recording sounding little on the flat side. "O For A Thousand Tongues" and "Who Is There Like You" follow and if I didn't know better, I'd have sworn Sir Cliff had a heavy hand in the production. (Step forward Simon Goodall!) The final song on the set is "I Know He Rescued My Soul (My Redeemer Lives)" which in comparison to everything else charges ahead like a bull seeing a red rag! Odd to have the most energetic track at the end of the CD though. It is a good thing to have a CD where you can focus on one aspect of faith, but I don't feel in every case that the interpretations do the songs justice.

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.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.