Reviewed by Tony Cummings

In an age when so much of Christian music falls into formulaic patterns of congregational worship or alternative rock, here’s a delightfully fresh approach to communicating the Good News of Jesus. Mike is a jazzman, and a truly fine pianist, who intriguingly both leads worship at a Pentecostal church in London and works as a professor of music at the Guildhall School Of Music And Drama. In the past too much of what has been marketed as Christian jazz has been faceless jazz funk, or worse, cornball neo-dixieland, but have no fear, here Mike finds his own relaxed, worshipful groove. Imagine something a little in the Oscar Peterson axis aided by effective vocalists. Those singers, Jo Noel and Samantha Rigg, an excellent stand up bass player and drummer and Mike’s haunting chord progressions are satisfying without being obscure while his own vocals have a gentle, other-worldly poignancy which, though demonstrating he’s not the world’s greatest singer, work perfectly on these Jesus-centred songs. One of the most original UK albums you’ll hear.

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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