Reviewed by Lins Honeyman

Laurie E Roberts is a messianic worship leader based in the UK and her third release sees her draw on a variety of global influences featuring songs sung in Spanish, Arabic and Yiddish as well as her natural Hebrew and English. Having had more than her fair share of personal hardships over the years including cancer battles and the tragic loss of her husband and co-writer Andrew F Powell, Laurie has produced an album of passion and commitment that serves to glorify her God. Keen to keep proceedings fresh, Roberts jumps from the rock 'n' roll of the opener "Land Of The Living" into the Cuban-tinged "Glorious" before showing her Jewish roots in the likes of "Wait For The Lord" and the somewhat bizarre "Why The Long Face". Roberts certainly doesn't possess the most refined voice in the world - pitch problems and some odd vocal idiosyncrasies are evident throughout - but she gives an undeniably stirring and believable rendition of "Amazing Grace" and pours energy and effort into the remainder of this release. Occasionally, though, Roberts' vocal style becomes overbearing and she is at her best when she reigns herself in - most notably in the Hebrew song of worship "Adonai Echad" which features an eerie and considered performance that sits perfectly against a trip hop backing. Elsewhere, "Let My People Go" is a thoughtful telling of her grandfather's holocaust experience and shows the potential Roberts has.

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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