Review

Rita Springer. Over the years, those who have heard Rita and been encouraged by her songwriting, worship leading and recordings have know there is one word that is synonymous with her music- passion. No matter the context or setting, you knew that no song would be glossed over or done half-hearted, if Rita was in the room. And so, her soaring vocals have torn through hearts across the church. And while the contribution of Rita Springer isn't limited to just a style, and her songs have become well used in many parts of the body of Christ, it has been her voice that has earmarked her ministry.

With 'I Have To Believe' Rita Spring returns with her most sonically excellent project to date. Every note, chord, and rhythm are laid out with expert precision into the tracks of this new offering. And this is not surprising, since acclaimed producers Nathan Nockels and Margaret Becker have taken the helm for the production on this recording. The result is both beautiful and surprisingly broad in its reach. For, in the past, while Rita's earmark has been thundering passion in both heart and voice, this was the same thing that would make the average person listen for 3 or 4 songs to any of her previous albums before taking a break to recover, before listening to the rest of the album.

'I Have To Believe' brings Rita's songs, voice and passion into pristine focus for both the general listening worshiper and the worship leader looking for new songs that they can do in local churches. Pre-eminent in this recording is the great radio listenable track 'You Are Good', a nice acoustic piano cover of Martin Smith's 'Rain Down', and a new classic Rita Springer ballad 'O God Of Mine'. The production is perfect, really. I loved hearing Rita flow more subtly and gently through the warm verses of 'Captured', parts of 'You're More Than a Friend', and ebbs and flows of 'Everywhere'. What makes these all the more poignant is the contrast they present to places where she lets her voice soar and rip through with real passion.

Aside from the technical excellence of this album the development of styles into a few different directions on this album is also a nice surprise, with the gospel groove of 'I Have To Believe', the guitar laden 'You Are Good' and the touch of tech/ethereal meanderings of 'Captured'. Wonderfully done, but weaved with consistency through an entire album that sounded like a complete offering and not a bunch of scattered songs. For the worship leader wondering what might be in store for their local church on this album, there are a few very good selections to glean, though this is clearly aimed at being a premium radio listening experience. The top of the list for worship leaders looking for material should be listening to 'You Are Good', the infectious 'Captured' and covers of 'Rain Down' and 'You're More Than a Friend'.

'I Have to Believe' is not just a maturing of talent for the artist, but a perfect blend of producers with one of the most gifted vocal talents in all of Christian music. For this, and the great new songs we get, WorshipMusic.com is happy to give 'I Have To Believe' an Editor's Choice Award.

Review by Kim Gentes