Reviewed by Ken Hancock

This is the latest album from the Tennessee singer/songwriter, ordained minister and ex-lead singer of US CCM hitmakers NewSong. Each song has its own strong message, possibly the best example being my favourite "Living Life Upside Down", an updated version of a track Russ originally recorded with the band Truth back in 1991. The words are even more valid now than they were then, "We've got a program for saving the earth/While unborn children are denied their right to birth/One baby's blessed another's cursed/Have we made this world better or worse/Now that the life of a tree comes first..." Russ's powerful yet at times plaintive lead vocals are classy blue-eyed soul while his accompaniments on percussion, bass, guitar (electric and acoustic), piano/organ/keyboards, strings, violins, viola and cello are satisfyingly organic. A strident sax appears on "My Heart Is Already There" a track with a distinct Afro-Caribbean vibe. All in all, a fine album that grows on you each time you play it.

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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