Reviewed by Doug Holland

Originally released as a separate CD and DVD, this package offers both in a two hour celebration of Israel and the singers and musicians of New Breed, recorded in Cape Town in August 2005. The energetic, and at times even breathtaking, pace of much of it is tastefully punctuated by reflective songs and spoken interludes and there is easily sufficient variety across the piece to maintain the listener's interest. The majority of the material is written by Houghton and producer Aaron Lindsay, and their songs are fundamentally simple in content, consisting essentially of broad affirmations of the sovereignty and goodness of God, related to human experiences, and an invitation to join the celebration. All very polished from a worship leader who has been in full time ministry since 1989, and who has become a pioneer in fusing the call and response energy of black gospel to the melodic hooks of white congregational worship. The quality of this production is indicated by the fact that in 2007 'Alive In South Africa' won a Grammy award as Best Traditional Gospel Album.

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.