Canopy Music - Jazz In The Sanctuary: Spirit Of The Nation
STYLE: Jazz RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 1542-2061 LABEL: Canopy FORMAT: CD Album ITEMS: 1 RRP: £4.99
Reviewed by Mike Rimmer
Canopy Music are pioneering a brand new method of resourcing Christian music ministry, and this new compilation album draws together some exceptional British talent to showcase the best in gospel grassroots from across the nation. Best described as inspirational jazz, the fusion of gospel and jazz captured here is astonishing, with excellent musical performances, all crisply recorded, so that this independent release can hold its head up high and battle it out with the majors! A dozen tracks, let me just wise you up to some of the highlights - these are the ones currently blasting out of the Rimmer speakers! There's such a variation but I just love Hutchinson & Gale's "Never Take My Love Away" which has an almost calypso feel to it! (Gospel jazz soul calypso anybody?) Assurance present a Take Six soundalike with their "Free", and Jazz Mission's "Since I Met You Jesus" begins as a beautiful bluesy jazz before really letting it go into jazz overdrive! Just fabulous! The Esscoffrey Sisters have two tracks - the slow burning groove of "Changes" with its cool sax, and the breezy inspirational jazz of "Can He Count On You?". The late night feel of Wayne Ellington's "By Your Side", and the sax and voice combination of Carla Hayles' superb "Anything", round off an excellent album. If you like gospel or jazz, this has got to be in your CD player!
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