Reviewed by Alan & Angeline Chesters

Superb. Thank you Willenhall Christian Fellowship for supporting the ministry of Nuffsed. With this release their growing following can enjoy almost an hour of tuneful roots folk gospel and praise and in the process touch base with uncompromising truth, be deeply challenged, shed a tear for those who haven't yet accepted Jesus and have an occasional chuckle. On their previous album 'Fields Keep Calling' buffs may recall Nuffsed used guest musicians on a few tracks. But this time it's just the band of eight, plus, of course, producer Tony Cummings and engineer Paul Hodson, the unseen (!) members. If you've read Tony in this magazine, you'll know where he's coming from and I hope that many more people warm to the contribution he makes with the lyrics on all the tracks except "Have Faith" and "Through The Looking Glass" (Jackie Mills) and "Setting Sun" (Kati Rigby). Terry Mills' music always catches the direction and subtle directness of the lyrics. His wife Jackie takes over the lead vocal mike on the haunting "The Wheel Of Love", as Kati does on the equally haunting "The Water Is Flowing". The opening track is a cry for the lost ("...will they ever know...who you are?"). It's followed by the joyful "I'm Alright", an exhortation to "Look for the Tightness Jesus bought", driven by some manic banjo picking. Another gem is "Stealing The Rainbows", a moving plea for New Agers to reconsider the truth - "God brought the rainbows...Stars were created/By God's mighty word." I see so much message in this album and, while I can't mention every track (there are 15, the last being a medley), I will pick out "I Won't Make A Point", where the subject of healing conflict is handled - "Letting go heals me/Digging in kills" - and "The Steeplechase", a fun track about misguided churchgoers endlessly searching for the perfect church. The album ends beautifully with "The Water Is Flowing", inspired by Eleanor Mumford's Toronto testimony, together with "Through The Looking Glass", seeing the eternity to come. Throughout the album little nuances of the music and lyrics are underpinned by a rich tapestry of mandolas, acoustic guitars, whistles, flutes and when needed, some' Stomping drumming. Yet for all its roots ethos there's a delightful reliance for hummable hooks which will ensure mucho airplay. It's been a privilege receiving this album. When I play it in the presence of our five year old daughter April she keeps wanting me to play the lovely 1.30 fun instrumental jig/reel "Mr Stanley's Amazing Trousers", inspired apparently by fellow Midland roots musician Mike Stanley's extraordinary trousers and the famous 'The Wrong Trousers' video. An indispensable, heart warming album.

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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