Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Back in the '70s Maranatha! Music were very much pioneers of contemporary worship music but since then various corporate takeovers threatened to scupper the one-time CCM high-fliers. However, their Top 10 series of albums offering cover versions of the most popular worship songs currently circulating the American Church has become surprise best sellers. As well as cover versions the Top 10 name is also being applied to dips into the vast Maranatha! Music archive and this release showcases tracks from the company's occasional foray into African American gospel. And there lies the problem. Few of Maranatha's stabs at gospel produced very convincing recordings and although Jonathan Butler, Morris Chapman, Don Thomas and the (multi-racial) Maranatha! Singers sound okay, if a bit dated, no one could truly call the tracks here "classics". Having said all that though, there is a delicious brass section on "Brand New Day" while the rocking "Gonna Lift You Up" and the soulful "I Love To Worship" have their moments.

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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