Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

New Zealander Rick Stokes does indeed record Songs Of Deliverance and although this group of worship songs doesn't break much new ground, it is infused with a passion which is infectious. Melodic, acoustic driven and delighting in simply going wherever the Spirit leads, Rick is unhurried in his delivery. Thus a lot of these songs spread out to 10 minutes with plenty of spontaneous stuff happening. Here I Am is a gentle prayer, Delight is a lively celebration and for that matter, so is Righteousness. However it's Crown Of Thorns that stands out in this set as it declares the majesty and mystery of the crucifixion. The spontaneous parts of this recording really are incredible and it s that spacious feel that allows these songs to really take you deeper. What more do you want from a worship album? If you re into stuff like Darrell Evans then this will definitely appeal.

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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