Reviewed by Simon Amers

Martha Munizzi, worship leader at the famed Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, has been a huge gospel hit. Blonde-haired and blue-eyed, she has wowed listeners on both sides of the Atlantic with her 'The Best Is Yet To Come' CD. Now we have the release of the DVD that contains the same songs, although "Because Of Who You Are" comes earlier in the set. Visually the quality is good with the main focus being on Martha herself, with cut away slots of the band, but few of the congregation. Disappointingly, subtitles do not appear as an option on the DVD. Recorded at Lakewood Church, the set opens with the rousing "Lift Him Up" followed by the Latin flavour "Glorious" and funk feel "Mighty God". These opening songs are slickly produced with their array of backing singers and horn sections (horns provided by keyboards!). However, the pace is frenetic with repetitive choruses and none of the musicians are allowed to shine. "Sing" and "Because Of Who You Are" signal a change of pace and direction. Martha's calls to worship are less preachy and songs such as "I Will Always" and "Say The Name" allow her vocals to come to the fore. Along with "I Know The Plans", these songs provide moments of spontaneous joy and worship under all the surface gloss. This greater freedom finds expression in Martha's duets with Israel Houghton on his songs "Your Latter Will Be Greater" and "New Season". There is even time for a quick Diana Ross impression! Definitely a game of two halves: the more uplifting second half being far superior.

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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