Review

Messianic music. What image does that phrase bring to your mind? For many, it's believers in Jesus the Messiah hopping and dancing choreographed circle dances to modal or minor melodies with a "boom-chuck" sort of beat, often clothed in colorful celebrational garments, and often associated with one or another of the "Old Testament" pilgrim feasts that were instituted by the G-d of Israel. It might bring to mind up-tempo choruses from the 1970s and 80s based on Psalms or other Old Testament scriptures. Both of those are part of the picture, but certainly not the whole picture, and the songs on this album certainly cannot be classified in that way.

Karen Davis' music is a far cry from those older choruses whose character cried out "Middle Eastern Music" to western ears. This music is distinctly modern without fitting the Contemporary Christian Music templates. The melodies run from very syncopated to very softly and tenderly romantic. Gabriel Alonso's contributions as arranger and percussionist (on keyboard as well) are significant. Musically, there is a very nice range of application of 21st century styles. "Saturate my soul" has a bit of a soft Brazilian flavor to my ear. "Arise" is also based on Song of Solomon and is certainly the love song in this project, just as is that section of the Song of Songs where Bride and Bridegroom converse. "You have ravished my heart with one glance, my sister, my bride...Arise, come away with me."

Most of these are deeply personal songs—God, just you and me. As you hear these songs, the sound comes out of the box, but it just might be the songs your heart would sing if it could. There are prayers in this project ("Saturate my soul," "turn again to us," "remember your covenant with our fathers"); there are times of praise "You are my rock, You are my strength," "He is my refuge, my God, in Whom I will trust"); times of adoration ("Arise"); times of remembrance, reminding, and the prophetic agreement of saying what God says to and about both Israel and the Church ("Your God is a consuming fire, O Israel," "I am a jealous God and My glory to another, I will not give," "He will rejoice over you with dancing"). Some of the melodic content is reminiscent of contemporary music in smooth jazz, soft rock, and other similar idioms. As you listen to the album, some of the vocal lines feel warm and familiar, yet with a certain freshness. It's a bit like finding a new shirt that is soft and comfortable and that fits just right. The music can move your soul and make you sway; it lingers in my mind as the aroma of a favorite flower or spice might linger in my senses.

This is a very nice album with lots of tender moments to share with your Messiah.

Review by Dean Thomas