Reviewed by Lins Honeyman

Recorded live in the South African province of KwaZulu Natal with studio enhancements added later, this EP sees Birmingham-based worship man and occasional composer of modern worship mega-hits Tim Hughes team up with some South African worshippers to offer up five stirring songs of praise. This collaboration was captured at LIV Village - the home of the eponymous charity that provides holistic residential care for orphaned and vulnerable children in South Africa - and feels very much like a regular Tim Hughes release. Established Hughes numbers such as "Hope And Glory", "The Way" and "Spirit Break Out" are performed here with skill and passion but, given the EP's setting, it's surprising and rather disappointing that more indigenous sounds weren't factored in. Aside from the occasional line or two sung in what sounds like Zulu and a cameo from Johannesburg singer Langa Mbonambi, the enthralling rhythms, instruments and vocal styling that have become part of South Africa's cultural appeal are largely missing and there is a sense that an opportunity to create something unique has been missed by sticking to the formulaic modern worship sound.

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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