Reviewed by Tony Cummings

The seven albums that the Jesus Culture aggregation have released since they first emerged out of the youth group from Redding, California's Bethel Church have all been big sellers and have in many ways influenced the worldwide Church in its approach to worship. Now that the JC team have relocated to Sacramento it seems a good moment for a retrospective release and this is indeed a good survey of their powerful musical soundscapes, often featuring layered guitars and shimmering synthesisers over which Kim Walker-Smith and Chris Quilala sing songs, some of which they've written. Particularly strong are the Misty Edwards song "Oh How He Wants You To Come", "Rooftops" (penned by Ben Williams, Jonathan Berlin and Lindsey Sweet) and the Delirious? classic "Rain Down". It's a little odd that this compilation didn't find room for their hugely popular rendition of John Mark McMillan's "How He Loves", but few would argue that the passion and power Jesus Culture convey in their worship has seldom been equalled by the thousands of other modern worship practitioners.

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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