Tony Cummings and Mike Rimmer survey all the releases to find the best Christian music albums of 2007

RON BLOCK - Doorway (Rounder)
Country music and bluegrass have plenty of superlative musicians but few can match the banjo and guitar playing skills of Ron Block who with Alison Krauss And Union Station has shown himself to be a maestro of his instruments. But not only does Ron possess exemplary instrumental skills, he is also a highly gifted singer/songwriter and on this, a belated follow up to his critically acclaimed 'Faraway Land', shows himself to be one of the most thought provoking lyricists of his generation. Songs such as "Love's Living Through Me When I Do", "Things Aren't Always As They Seem" and "Be Assured" are all skilfully crafted views of a life imbued with faith. An avid devotee of C S Lewis and George MacDonald, Ron isn't your standard purveyor of down home faith clichés, but a literate songsmith with the skill to transcend musical boundaries.
Tony Cummings
£9.97 at Cross Rhythms Direct

MIKE FARRIS - Salvation In Lights (INO)
Having performed as an indie rocker and seen his life descend into addiction, Farris embraced again the faith of his childhood, found deliverance and looked around for what to do next. Embracing the old fashioned soul and gospel traditions, he began with songs like Sister Rosetta Tharpe's "Can't No Grave Hold Nobody Down" and Thomas Dorsey's "Precious Lord Take My Hand", added soul hits like "I'll Take You There" and "Change Is Gonna Come" and then penned brand new material in a similar style to create an original album that neatly fails to fit into any neat category although it was released on a successful Christian label in the USA. This is a deliciously soulful record mixing a modern production with a classic sound. And Farris has an extraordinary voice!
Mike Rimmer
£9.97 at Cross Rhythms Direct

RELIENT K - Five Score And Seven Years Ago (Gotee)
Their move from pun-spouting punk to progressive hard pop has been a delight to behold and this album is an undeniable gem. Matt Theissen has now developed to become one of the best Christian songwriters of his generation while the arrangements here, which seem to take in everything from Jimmy Eat World to the Beachboys, are irresistible. Songs like "Forgiven", "I Need You" and "Give Until There's Nothing Left" have made it to the Cross Rhythms playlist and show a band at the height of their creative form while the 11-minute "Deathbed" is to my ears a classic. The addition of piano into the band sound gives them a new dynamic range and whatever your tastes in pop or rock, this is an album you need to hear.
Tony Cummings
£9.97 at Cross Rhythms Direct

REHOBOTH - Elevons Jesus (Independent)
Soukous music is a thrilling sound from the Congo much loved by the late John Peel and now this UK-based Congolese group make a hugely impressive entrance into recording with this delightful set of gospel songs. I'm told the title of the album means 'We Lift Up Jesus' and the music here sung in French has all the joyful, boisterous vibe of soukous worship. The song "Elanga" lasts nearly 11 minutes but its rhythmic vibe carries it through while on the final track, "L'amour De Dieu", they add some Spanish to their free flowing rhythms. This is the kind of electrifying worship music which shows how parochial are the attitudes and perspectives of many British and American churches towards worship music. Congolese worship rules!
Tony Cummings

NICK FLETCHER, DAVID BAINBRIDGE - The Breaking Of The Dawn (Kingsway Music)
The Christian music market is filled with this kind of album and they come in a variety of guises. You get your "Celtic Inspiration" type with so called Celtic arrangements of songs. You can also get orchestral "worship him on the strings" type instrumental worship albums. They tend to be made cheaply without much imagination by simply taking the melodies of famous worship songs and redoing them. They also tend to be really dull and there's far too many of them around. That's what makes this album so amazing. On the surface it looks like another one of those albums but instead this collection of Townend and Getty songs have been given the royal treatment by Nick Fletcher and Dave Bainbridge. Combining the Celtic instrumentation that made Iona popular with Fletcher's fabulous guitar work and some amazing orchestrations, this is a beautiful, creative, inspirational set. Scotland's Yvonne Lyon provides vocals on the tracks that are not pure instrumentals and adds a vibe all of her own. The result is something amazing as these popular hymns and worship songs are beamed into a different dimension.
Mike Rimmer
£9.97 at Cross Rhythms Direct

GROUP 1 CREW - Group 1 Crew (Word)
It isn't every day that a group emerges with a debut album that sounds totally original but this trio managed to fuse R&B, pop, Latin and hip-hop into something very special! I saw them showcase in the USA in spring 2006 and was immediately hooked and had been waiting for this debut for nearly a year when it finally released. They sound as fresh as anything in the mainstream while the album feels like it is packed with potential pop hits. With a mix of rap and diva singing, fabulous grooves and catchy hooks, there's a danger they might be overlooked here in the UK when really they should be touring with thebandwithnoname and wowing crowds here! Check out "Love Is A Beautiful Thing", "Everybody's Gotta Song To Sing" or "Clap Ya hands" as examples of their strong pop sensibilities. Great pop from a group with plenty to say.
Mike Rimmer
£9.97 at Cross Rhythms Direct

DAVID RUIS & INDIGIKA - When Justice Shines (ION, Canadian import)
David Ruis, the Canadian worship songsmith now living in Los Angeles, has formed a brilliant band in Indigika (a fusion of the words indigenous and electronica). Cross Rhythms' reviewer declared that the opening track is "a wonderful combination of rock music, worship, spontaneous praise and prophesying - Kevin Prosch meets Pink Floyd," which nails it. Elsewhere you've got "Spirit Is On Me" where the veteran extemporises over a masterly techno track and Cross Rhythms turntable hits like "Rest In His Promise" and "Arise And Shine". In an age when so many worship albums seem stylised and lacking in musical inventiveness, the one time Vineyard Music man shows the worldwide Church how to be passionate in worship and yet profoundly creative.
Tony Cummings
£9.97 at Cross Rhythms Direct