Reviewed by Doug Holland

Dan Wheeler has moved from session guitarist to singer/songwriter recording artist in his own right in the last three years. He has played on instrumental projects in the past but this is his first release with front sleeve billing. This CD gives us 12 tracks and has a total music time of 45 minutes and it includes one of Wheeler's own songs (written in collaboration with Graham Kendrick - "Your Love"). The remainder of the material will be known to the majority of listeners to contemporary worship songs. Wheeler's deft guitar work is given excellent support here by bass, cello, keys and percussion, as he plays through arrangements that retain interest and contain considerable varieties in texture and feel. The raw excitement and basic volume often associated with some of these songs (for instance, Matt and Beth Redman's "Blessed Be Your Name") is missing, as the instrumentation in use of necessity leads to a more reflective sound (hence the album title, one imagines). Also, a considerable amount of fretboard noise on some tracks is a minus. But that is really the only gripe of any significance. Enjoy Wheeler's playing, relax and be uplifted.

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.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.