Worship Musician MayJun 2017 | Page 36

NOWHEARTHIS New Releases DAVID BALOCHE LABYRINTH “He Hears My Voice” kicks the album off in truly meditative and transformative for the soul. quiet contemplative style as the quiet guitar With a little creativity and forethought, these You probably know David strumming and warm cello mixed with ambient songs could be utilized in a corporate worship Baloche’s dad....Yes, that lyrical delivery immediately put the listener experience in many different and interesting Paul guy. I bet being the in the presence of the Most High as David forms for both liturgical and non-liturgical son of an iconic worship sings directly from Psalm 55. David’s musical churches. leader and songwriter is prowess is on full display as he plays guitar, harder than it looks, considering most people saxophone, clarinet, and piano on this track, will probably think they know what to expect and many other instruments throughout the when the younger Baloche comes out with his album. KIM WALKER-SMITH ON MY SIDE Kim Walker-Smith has one debut worship album. Labyrinth crushes any “Green Pastures,” which is a based on the of the most commanding assumptions of the son following his father’s twenty-third Psalm, begins with a gorgeous voices in the CCM worship musical footsteps, at least in the area of style piano arpeggio which is backed by a deep world. It’s like the old EF and format. David’s first release pretty much synth pad and techno style drum riff as Hutton commercials (I am breaks the mold of what people think modern Baloche’s flowing vocals take us on a winged dating myself here I know....) but when Kim worship should look like and adopts a very journey through this beloved Psalm. “The Walker-Smith sings, people listen. Her powerful unique musical meditative type of worship that Peace Of God” uses hope filled passages from alto voice has been praising the Lord with is not just based on scripture, it IS scripture Philippians and Proverbs mixed with a rhythmic Jesus Culture and wowing worshippers for with music, purpose, and creativity wrapped orchestral landscape to draw the listener to a years. Her first solo release in four years, On around it. place of peaceful surrender. My Side, contains 12 new songs of Holy Spirit- Unpacking the project’s title, he adds: The album concludes its journey with the track “Labyrinths were placed outside medieval “My Help Comes From The Lord,” with which cathedrals to provide passage from the outer Baloche ties the album together in its entirety On My Side contains songs that were born out world to the inner sanctum, from the profane with the acknowledgment that no matter where of the past 4 years of experiences in Walker- to the sacred. They were also placed on the he is in his life, no matter the stress or anxiety, Smith’s life as she became a mother, lost her flyleaves of ancient manuscripts to symbolize he will “lift his eyes to the mountain” and “not father, planted a church, and was preparing entry into scripture, to be the gateway into fear for you know I am your God.” to release a new album. Thinking back on the fueled authentic worship whose style is rooted in synth driven balladry. the biblical text. The labyrinth is the symbolic As an avid Paul Baloche fan, I have often past four years she notes: “During all of that, manifestation of God’s command to Moses, heard him say to rooms of worship teams the Lord has taken me on a journey of ups and ‘Remove the sandals from your feet, for and leaders to “sing the psalms and pray the downs, wrestling through the different pains the place on which you are standing is holy songs,” meaning that we as worship leaders and emotions that go along with all of those. ground’.” should develop a practice of singing various The one resounding message He kept assuring Labyrinth is the first volume in a series that psalms with random melodies and chords and me of is that He is on my side. This album offers listeners a very relaxing form of worship pray the words of our setlist each week as a tells the story of that journey. This collection that uses various translations from the Holy preparation for Sunday morning. It’s obvious of songs is the message He kept whispering Bible, with this first project focusing on that David took this advice to the next level through it all.” scriptures that address anxiety and stress. and has created a worship experience that is The song that probably represents the Featured Tracks DAVID BALOCHE “GREEN PASTURES” 36 KIM WALKER-SMITH “THRONE ROOM” NORTH POINT INSIDE OUT BETHEL MUSIC “DEATH WAS ARRESTED” May  Jun 2017 “STARLIGHT” WorshipMusician.com COVENANT WORSHIP “SAND AND STARS”