Reviewed by Chris Tozer

As Word Records Silver 25th year in Britain rolls on we have yet another collection of goodies from the vaults in Milton Keynes. This one is a compilation from four albums released in the last decade to accompany the 'Spirit Of Praise'" songbook. The anonymous musicians doubtless vary across these recordings but as they were all produced by John Daniels the sound remains all rather bland with the emphasis on gentle keyboards and sweet songsters. As you'd expect there are songs here by Graham Kendrick and Chris Bowater and other worship leaders as well as tracks by more contemporary artists - Bryn Haworth and Michael W Smith. So it would be reasonable to expect an excellent album. Not so. The low cost recording has resulted in a lack of quality that is anything but inspiring. The standout track is, in fact, a rather bizarre male voice choir rendition of "Shine Jesus Shine". And as for the album title - Sing A New Song? Yes please, the sooner the better.

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