Reviewed by Chris Tozer

Russ Luscombe has recently graduated in theology and is currently working in the Bournemouth area. He recorded this, presumably his debut album, with a five piece support band over a year ago at St Andrews Church in the city. Luscombe and co-producer Jon Hyde certainly deserve credit for achieving such incredibly high standards with a non-studio recording. Likewise the musicians were more than up to the job. Stylistically, the music is largely unhurried and laid back and most accessible to 50-somethings like yours truly. Plenty of space is given to instrumental breaks and the talented pianist Joe Davison brings a cool jazz feel to the recording - Jamie Cullum watch out. Mind you, I don't think the dragging pace of Russ's nine minute musical marathons will go down quite so well at Blenheim Palace. Vocally reminiscent of Adrian Snell, Russ is clearly a very able vocalist - pun unintended. But, his songs are nowhere near as listenable as the aforesaid CCM veteran. In fact it is the songs that are my chief concern. Whilst they would have been possibly well received in the pioneering days of the 1970s amongst fans of Paul Field's Nutshell I just can't see Russ's contemporaries trading in their Tim Hughes albums for this.

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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