Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

Zac's Place is a church that meets in a pub on Sunday nights in Swansea. Its leader, Steve Stillman, also has a heart to reach out to bikers and other stratas of society that the Church generally ignores. Perhaps it's no surprise then that he was responsible during the summer for creating the second stage (featuring Christian artists) at the Xtreme World rock festival which happened in Swansea. Here's a man with vision and an effective radical ministry. The artists featured on this compilation are all artists who have played at Zac's Place and believe in the ministry taking place there. There's a good variety of some of the best grassroots artists as well as a few names you'II recognise. Local boys Martyn Joseph and Mal Pope both contribute songs from recent projects, but then you get some obscure but still brilliant music from artists you might not yet have had the chance to check out. From the 35 second burst of Ian Hornal's incredible "Black Banana" through to the atmospheric epic closing track "Death Shall Have No Dominion" by Evans, Gilbert, King & Philippart which spills out to an excellent eight minutes, there's plenty to enjoy. My favourite track from Swansea's blue-eyed soulboy Alan McCarthy's "Waterfalls" sits alongside a previously unreleased bit of bluesy slide guitar stuff from Rob Ash. Then there's the wonderfully named Cupboard with some vibey rock in the form of the brilliant "Bluff". For me, anything which gives profile for Britain's excellent independent scene can only be good. Isn't it time you took the plunge and checked out some music that ISN'T sold in your local Bible bookshop?

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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