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Reviewed by Tony Cummings

A bargain price three CD package charting the early years of one of CCM's most enduring talents. When he was launched in 1983 with the first of the three albums showcased here, 'The Michael W Smith Project', he was best known as a composer and piano-playing accompanist for Amy Grant. 'Project' has its moments, like the worship song "Great Is The Lord" and the pop number "The Race Is On". But it was "Friends" which became a mega Christian radio hit. In fact, in 1998 in a CCM magazine poll of 30 critics Smith's version of "Friends" was chosen as the Best Contemporary Christian Song Of All Time but such OTT praise simply demonstrates the lack of discerning Christian journalists at the time. Still, despite its excessive sentimentality, the paean to friendship does have a strong melody. 1986's 'The Big Picture' is much better. There is some tasty guitar work from Dann Huff of Giant, a Smith/Grant duet on "Restless Heart" and a haunting opener "Lamu". If 'The Big Picture' was good, 1998's 'I 2 (Eye)' is arguably Smith's best ever. Synth pop rock at its best, the absolute gem is "Secret Ambition" though the wistful "Pray For Me" is almost as good. Throughout the set, the superlative production by Smith and Wayne Kirkpatrick encases the CCM hitmaker's catchy compositions in delightfully layered sounds. If you haven't yet caught up with Smithy's early years, this value-for-money release is a good place to start.

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• Project
  
• I 2 Eye
  
• Big Picture