Reviewed by Martin I Smith

This is an extraordinary live performance. Don't just expect music. There's painting, sculpting, interpretive dance - worship. And it's no detached, packed out stadium; the audience isn't tucked neatly behind a barrier away from the action. It's all happening in The Loft, a second story shelter of artistic refuge where the divide between spectator and performer breaks down - there is only worshipper here, and as the viewer you're invited right into the thick of it. What David Ruis achieves with his music is woven into the physical space and the effect is stunning. The atmosphere created by this complimentary fusion is very much alive in the recording and through the help of the thoroughly mobile camera work you'll feel perfectly at home within it. The musical performance is itself passionate, tight, but also free. The spirit-led divergences and progressions make the track listing an overly reductionist summary of the contents. Highlights are everywhere but specifically "Spirit Is On Me" really finds the band grooving between the song's electronic beat and woodland melody, and in the gripping "Surrender" you'll see David letting loose the emotional force of his vocals. The set is truly a demonstration of David's creative song writing, but so much more than that it's an invitation to experience his gifting as a leader of worship, in the heart of his Los Angeles ministry, simply 'Live From The Loft'.

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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