Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Some Christian music critics are worried that the TV talent search culture is being embraced so enthusiastically by the CCM industry though others will point out that in an era when the music industry is particularly reluctant to risk cash on the launch of new artists who haven't had years of dues-paying, heavy gigging and independent releases, telly talent shows like Pop Idol and X Factor bring plenty of new faces into the CD racks. The former primary school teacher from Luton Beverley has already enjoyed the music world spotlight touring Britain with the Fame musical. Now here comes her album debut. If you missed her X Factor appearances, Beverley has a rich, warm contralto of real quality, the kind of voice able to handle any kind of material from funky backbeats to middle of the road balladry. So for me it was disappointing that producers Wesley Chaves and Nathaniel Ledwidge have plumped for the latter with a set of songs that could as easily have been sung by white crooners of inspirational songs. But at least Wez er Nate have stayed clear of the lush string-filled, key-change-with-every-song OTT arrangements of American insp music. Instead here we have tracks played almost entirely on synths and songs that range from originals ("Awesome God" co-written by Wesley Chaves and "You Are My Life" co-written by Beverley herself) and several covers of songs originally cut by Lara Martin, Stevie Wonder, Kari Jobe and the Michael Gungor Band. All in all, this is the kind of smooth, seamless songs of devotion you will hear on middle of the road Christian radio.

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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