Reviewed by Tony Cummings

When Adrian Thompson first told me about this project I thought, ".mmm, tad too esoteric for me." As well as being known, in Europe at least, as possibly the greatest horn player working in Christian music, David also carries with him a reputation as something of a Renaissance Man, keen to talk the finer points of church history, classical music or ethnic cultures. A work like this one which strives to integrate among several other things some Byzantine history and the choral tradition into a contemporary album sounded simply like it would be too heavy weight and even news that Mr Fitzgerald was getting many of Britain's top CCM players in to play on it couldn't shake the conviction that it would be way over the head of Joe Punter. Then I finally heard it. I was bowled over. From the first haunting notes of "Ave Verum Corpus" to the closing strains of Adrian Snell's "Only Jesus", this magnificent piece of art, works on both the aesthetic level and as a work which will surely lead many into meditative worship. My nomination for one of the thrilling musical moments of the year is when David soars sublimely over that angel-voiced Cambridge chorister. A master work.

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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