Reviewed by John Fisher

From the decade that will be well remembered for padded shoulders and spandex Sparrow Records have brought out this compilation as part of their 'Ultimate' series. Although classed as the ultimate collection, it would seem this collection is compiled from artists signed to EMI CMG labels. Mind you there are some well known names from the world of CCM here: Geoff Moore And The Distance, BeBe And CeCe Winans and the late great Keith Green to name but a few. Some of the artists get to display their talents on one track while others get the honour of gracing the collection with two. Furthermore the compilation seems to be divided into two categories with mellower style songs on CD1 as on the acoustic-based "His Eyes" as sung by Steven Curtis Chapman, while the more up tempo tracks are kept for CD2. Who can forget top satirist Steve Taylor, sounding like a cross between Steve Miller and Talking Heads? His "This Disco (Used To Be A Cute Cathedral)" is still a delight. But the upbeat moments don't last and we return to the mellower efforts as on CD1, eg, Petra's "Don't Let Your Heart Be Hardened". I have to observe that the 1980s were a bit more musically diverse than what this compilation would present.

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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