Reviewed by Lins Honeyman

Released in 1967, the second and final album from Scottish CCM pioneers the Concords saw them attempt to move their sound on from the straightforward four piece format that worked so well on their 'Soul Purpose' debut the previous year. Thanks to the relative success of the first record, Emblem Records brought in members of the Scottish National Orchestra to add brass and string parts to the Renfrewshire boys' songs with tracks like "We Believe In Miracles", "I Didn't Realise" and "By God's Hand" all augmented by additional instrumentation under the guidance of lead guitarist Douglas Watt. Unfortunately and much to the band's dismay at the time, the strings and brass were placed far too high in the mix with the group's fine-tuned harmonies sounding as though they were coming from the house next door on several tracks. Thankfully, this doesn't take away from the fact that the aforementioned Watt, bassist Gordon Webster, drummer Ian Ramsden and lead vocalist Leslie Mitchell could all write quality songs that still stand the test of time despite this album being very much a period piece. With trademark directness about their faith in Jesus, songs like "Somebody You Ought To Know" and the somewhat point blank "Call Yourself A Christian" refuse to pull punches whilst "Come On" - sounding very much like a cross between Chuck Berry's song of the same name and "Memphis Tennessee" - sees the band continue to draw on the mainstream influences of the decade. In short, an album full of great faith-based songs let down by a dreadful mix and one that deserves remastering for it to be fully appreciated.

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