Reviewed by Jamie Maxwell

This series has been around now since 2007 and has done an admirable job of showcasing well known worship songs. The versions here are covers but with Britain's Paul Burton handling the production and some well known sessions singers (including Paul's wife Cathy) the effect is always pretty good. This fifth instalment in the series offers the usual mix of new and old songs from such top rate composers as Chris Tomlin, David Ruis and Brooke Fraser along with a few classic Vineyard numbers like "Breathe" and "Come Now Is The Time". I can't in truth report that there are many musical surprises here but this is still a solid release in a series which has fared much better than the majority of worship song cover versions.

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.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.

These Encounter compilations have always been strong, but the latest in the series is fueled by a unique range of eighteen worship songs of substance.

Encounter Worship 5 has it all, from Chris Tomlin’s Jesus Messiah and We Fall Down to Reuben Morgan’s What The Lord Has Done, Brooke Fraser’s Desert Song to Brian Doerksen’s Come Now Is The Time, with others from great worship writers such as Paul Baloche, Robin Mark, David Ruis, Aaron Keyes and Vicky Beeching.