Reviewed by Lins Honeyman When Cross Rhythms talked to Simon back in 2007, he was clearly coming to the fore through the annual Newday festival, organised by the New Frontiers churches, though it's surprising that in the subsequent 11 years, apart from his appearances on the Newday albums, this worship man has only now managed another album under his own name. But it seems creatively the wait was worth it, for this album is simply stunning with the Emmanuel Brighton's worship pastor delivering one of the best albums of the year. Simon has employed the services of producer Jack Wintermeyer and a host of top class musicians to offer up definitive studio versions of his tried and tested work. From the word go, there is an inventive feel to proceedings with minimalist loops, doctored samples and ambient surprises adorning some truly great worship songs that just don't sound like anything else currently out there. Whilst there are too many highlights to mention, the inclusion of some delightfully gritty guitar on the punchy title track and the extended experimental intro on the sublime "Gracious" are amongst several punch-the-air moments whilst the appearance of what sounds like the drum section of a marching band on the ever-morphing "Breakthrough" is a stroke of genius on a project that oozes artistic confidence. Helpfully, Brading doesn't sound like your default Redman-style modern worship singer, and his ability to swing from intense whisper to full-on rock exhortation helps put across the message of God's love and faithfulness with passion and power - helped in no small way by some finely honed lyrics that reach deep into the soul. A live version of the stirring "I Worship You" - complete with a shimmering string section orchestrated by composer Stu Kennedy - shows that Brading is just as adept in the live arena as he is in the studio. Thanks to its artistic brilliance, this is a worship album which transcends the utilitarian nature of many worship projects (ie, a set of songs suitable for congregational worship). Judging by Brading's massive grin on the back cover, I suspect he knows that with God's help he's pulled off something rather special.
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Simon Brading has devoted his life to serving the church. As the worship Pastor at Emmanuel Brighton, he has helped to build a vibrant worship team, drawing in a large family of creatives, worship leaders, songwriters and musicians. He also oversees worship at Newday, a significant Christian conference with 7,000 young people gathering every year.
His passion to train others has led to Worship School UK, an annual national conference to equip those who are involved in playing and leading in worship and as a worship leader he has served at different conferences and events in the UK, USA, Australia and mainland Europe.
His songs include You Reign, Rock of Ages, Alive With Worship and You Never Change. These songs and many more have been primarily recorded through the annual live worship albums from the Newday conference, but are now captured on this debut album from Simon. These are songs which help turn our attention to the almighty God and the richness of his love and kindness to us in Jesus Christ.
This album will serve both for personal enjoyment and Spiritual enrichment as well as providing a gateway into Simon’s rich catalogue of songs which are already being enjoyed by thousands at Newday and in local church contexts across the UK. |
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This is such a brilliant record. I have been really blessed by its lyrical content, and it's rare to hear a worship record with such creativity soundwise. Definitely my favourite of the year, or several years to be honest.