Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Sometimes knowing the story behind the song hugely affects the listener's capacity to be wrenched into a recordings heart. The title track of this four-song EP was written as a tribute to Paul Checkley, the best friend of Tom Maynard, the lead singer and songwriter with Brother John. Paul died of a brain tumour in late 2015 and the band, having reunited after a five year sabbatical, have released this EP with 100% of the profits going to a charity in Paul's honour. "Strangers" is a joy for midtempo song and with the assurance set "you're with the angels in glory" will surely touch the hearts of many who knew Paul. The other three songs here all show that the band have lost none of their tight musical invention though I personally would have liked to hear a bit more of the electric violin which made them such an intriguing group when I heard them a few years back. The album closes with a version of "You Are The Sovereign Great I Am" which opens with an acoustic guitar before piano, electric guitar and drums all kick in. Here's hoping the forthcoming album from Brother John will feature some more violin lines which worked so well behind Tom's huskily effecting voice.

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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