Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

I've just spent 10 minutes trying to decide which musical category fits this recording. Certainly the Alexandria Sanctuary Choir make a joyful stirring noise that gives this album a huge gospel kick but it's still too tame to deserve a full blown gospel tag. Worship leader Geron Davis wrote the title song "Holy Ground" in 1983 and here it soars and lifts the listener. Unfortunately, not all the worship songs are as good as this and the album gets bogged down in a sadly familiar P&W schlock! Shame really, because there are some upbeat songs that cook. The opener "Right Here Right Now" begins with a similar groove to Ron Kenoly's "Ancient Of Days" but doesn't quite catch fire and reach the same anointed heights! My favourite is "Send It On Down" which begins with a stunning full blown blast of the choir before breaking out into a joyful horn driven celebration. (Someone should however point out to Davis that God's Holy Spirit is a person not an it.) Theological quibbles aside, in its good moments this is as uplifting as worship albums get. In its bad moments I am left reaching for the remote control to skip tracks.

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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