Reviewed by Paddy Hudspith

A 2003 album offering 12 quality tracks for kid's workers, and worship leaders generally, to dip into. Of course Ishmael is an old hand at the kid's praise thing, but Latty (like Noel Richards before her on other Children's Ministry CDs) is a slightly baffling choice and her vocals don't suit this material in the way that, say, Cathy Burton's naturally do on some Spring Harvest albums that my family enjoy. Ish has the clearer and simpler style, however both solo voices are well supported by a very good children's choir. Occasionally and very successfully the kids take the lead, as it should be. The tracks here (as they generally do across the kid's praise market, I find) fall into two categories: concept-based theme songs ("Chip, Chip" about God's workmanship in our lives, gently chipping away at our imperfections; "The Washing Song" - "I can wash my face, teeth, hands, belly button" etc but "I can't wash away my sin/But I know a man who can"; "The Race Of Life" based on the ideas in Philippians 3) and all-age praise material such as "Praise You Now", "How Majestic Is Your Name" and "Your Love O Lord". My recurring question these days is why do the latter type get no wider airing than on a children's album? Most are top quality and very singable, perfect for all-age seeker settings. Let's look for these categories to be broken down even further. My advice to other music leaders is to let these songs sink in over two or three plays, see which ones take root in you, and start using them!

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