17th December, 2008

JUSTIN MICHAEL

Album: CompassionArt

Artist: Various

Year: 2008
Label: Integrity/Survivor/Furious
Web: www.compassionart.tv
 
In A Word: All-good

"This is not just a congregational album. It's not just a kind-hearted fundraiser. It's not a concept or theme driven album. It's somehow more than the sum of its parts."

The first we heard of CompassionArt was on last year's WOW worship album. There appeared a track titled So Great that was a co-write between Michael W. Smith, Israel Houghton, Christy Nockels and a few others.

Here's the basic set up. Get the world's leading praise and worship leaders together in Scotland for a pow-wow. Write a bunch of songs and sign-off on the idea that any proceeds generated from the sale of these songs would go completely to charity. The last few years have seen an incredible awakening in Christ following communities throughout the western world marrying the two themes of worship and justice.

You can go and learn more about the movement at www.compassionart.tv and in the mean time I'll let you know a bit about the tunes.

This is just a cool album. First track, Come To The Water, sets you up with a bit of straight up blues driven rock from Chris Tomlin and Martin Smith with a bit of extra spice from Kirk Franklin and big chorus' care of Watoto Children's Choir.

Move on to Shout Praise led by Israel Houghton, Darlene Zschech and fill in the gaps with tobyMac. Skip to King Of Wonders with Matt Redman, Tim Hughes and Joel Houston. How about Fill My Cup with Martin Smith and CeCe Winans?

This is not just a congregational album. It's not just a kind-hearted fundraiser. It's not a concept or theme driven album. It's somehow more than the sum of its parts. There's a feel about the record that is unmistakable and only happens when artists of any walk create something purely for the betterment of others.

If you need any further encouragement to give this disc a spin, check out the song Friend Of The Poor by Leeland and Andy Park or You Have Shown Us, a co-write with Tomlin, Baloche and Chapman taking it's theme from Micah 6:8. There's the harp-driven (yes, harp-driven!) beauty of Until The Day from the pens of Kendrick and Zschech or the hip-funk of the Franklin/tobyMac track of Let It Glow.

There's just so much to like about this disc. The depth of writing talent, the smorgasbord of musical flavours, the integrity of the ethic behind it and the coming together of a set of melodies that must a be somewhat of a historical first.

CompassionArt's ethical sound melodies. Enjoy and grow.