Personnel: Matt Redman (vocals); Matt Redman; Mike Busbee (vocals, guitar, keyboards, bass guitar, programming, background vocals); Esther Alexander, Louise Fellingham, James Gregory, Mark Beswick (vocals); John Mark Painter (strings); Eli Thompson (bass guitar); Dana Weaver (guitar); David Davidson (violin); John Catchings (cello); David Raven (drums); Kendall Payne (background vocals).
Audio Mixer: Mike Busbee.
Recording information: IHOF, Nashville, TN; Rythmic East, Nashville, TN; Rythmic West, Pasadena, CA; Sonikwire Studios, Orange County, CA.
While Matt Redman isn't the household contemporary Christian name that Michael W. Smith or Steven Curtis Chapman are, he's responsible for some of the most beloved modern worship tunes, including "The Heart of Worship" and "Better Is One Day." He's certainly in a happy worship mode on this collection, which balances sizzling fire-rockers like "Making Melody" and the less-riveting, more plodding, but still quite sincere "Making Melody." Because worship songs praise God no matter what, listening to this while going through trying times may be a Job-like experience -- "Blessed be the name of the Lord" whatever the cost. While hardly saying anything new (or that wasn't written in a Psalm by the ancients), his sweet but simple approach reflects the more positive side of Christianity and is his charm. It wouldn't be a surprise to see a few of the better tunes here turned into songs for worship bands to tackle. ~ Jonathan Widran minimize