Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Here's a demo, sorry, private recording, which makes it worth wading through all those dear bedroom studio guitar strummers still rhyming "died for me" with "Calvary". To quote from the sheet accompanying their tape, "School Of Isaiah have developed a unique style. effortlessly blinding oriental and occidental music taking influences as diverse as dub reggae, folk, drum 'n" bass and jazz." Impressed, huh? David Fernandez-Arias and lain D'Costa, who are School Of Isaiah, have, thanks to some bitty programming and sequencing, created hypnotic and sometimes every aural soundscapes which played loud at an alternative worship event would impact the coolest worshippers and though neither David nor lain are strong singers their minimalist staccato bursts of Scripture work surprisingly well. My favourite cuts are "Blessed" where Psalm I is driven along by a booming rockers bass, the opening "Glory To God", and the mutant folk reel "Trust In God". You get seven lengthy songs on the tape with dub mixes thrown in as well for good value. I've classified 'Elemental' as reggae though as the lads say, their sound is unique. Well worth investigating.

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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