This is the debut self-titled album from “Songs From the Soil,“ a project that seeks to unearth the unique sounds and stories of the UK Church. Drawing from an array of British artists, songwriters, and worship leaders come 10 homegrown songs filled with emotion and folk sounds. “Songs From the Soil” is encapsulated by one shared vision: to cultivate beauty in the context of local worship. Now, I wondered, would this be anything different from collectives that have come and gone before? Certainly, my spirits were lifted by the opening ‘Real Thing’ which features Marc James and Kate Cooke. An acoustic led backing, excellently carries the vocals along, which were crisp and clean. Would the following songs carry the same quality? Well, the folk/pop sound of ‘Thanks and Praise’ certainly had a similar effect on me. Lucy Grimble and Marc James lead the way on the hymn-like ‘The Cross Has Spoken.’ This song, I believe, is really special, as it sounds both new and old at the same time. You could imagine it being written by someone like Fanny Crosby! Musically, the thrust is predominantly acoustic, and I enjoyed that – such a change from far too any instruments. Other featured artists include Graham Kendrick (I Trust in Jesus); Nathan Jess (Send the Rain); and Lucy Grimble (This is Jesus). Closing the album is the, quite beautiful, ‘Jesus You’re More.’ This time it’s Rebekah Mitchell and Steph Macleod on vocal duty, and it’s a fitting close to a very welcome recording of quality, new, songs for the church. 9/10.
After a spectacularly successful come-back event in 2022, the 2023 BIG CHURCH FESTIVAL, to be held at Wiston House, West Sussex on 27th and 28th May, is set to break attendance records. The largest Christian and gospel music event in Europe will feature Australia’s worship aggregation United, American worship team Bethel Music, gospel star Tye Tribbett and UK R&B singer Samm Henshaw. Other acts appearing are Israel & New Breed, Amanda Cook, Kings Kaleidoscope, Gable Price & Friends, We Are Messengers, LZ7, Tim & The Glory Boys, Philippa Hanna, Lin D, Steph Macleod, The Goudies and The London Welsh Male Voice Choir. https://www.bigchurchfestival.com
REVERE‘s new single ‘Infinito Amor’ (Portuguese for “Everlasting Love”) was penned by Peve, Steph McLeod, and Lucy Grimble during a writing camp with worship leaders from Brazil, the United States, and the United Kingdom hosted on Zoom in 2020. On that day, Scottish singer-songwriter and worship leader Steph Macleod was told that his son had been involved in a work place accident, and due to lockdown rules, Steph and his wife could not attend to their son in the hospital. All that Steph was left with was surrender, worship, thanksgiving, and through a translator, the sharing of this difficult moment with his co-writers. ‘Infinito Amor’ was birthed out of that moment, speaking about the living God who dwells within us; and that whatever comes our way, we can endlessly declare and sing of His goodness. REVERE‘s ‘Infinito Amor’ features Brazil’s Central 3’s Peve and bandmate and collaborator Gabriela Maganete. You will soon also be able to hear the English version, ‘Everlasting Love’, sung by Steph Macleod and Lucy Grimble.
Selah release their awaited international EP, ‘One Name’, on Friday 29th April. With tracks from all over the world translated into English – from Brazil to France, India and Indonesia, to the Netherlands and Sweden – Selah honour international songwriters and artists whose songs glorify the Lord with their new project. The concept of ‘One Name’ was birthed in a conversation with Integrity Music President Jonathan Brown as Selah’s Todd Smith shared his desire to champion nations to worship with homegrown songs. Growing up in a Missionary family in the Congo, Africa, Todd remembers times of worship vividly: “I would go to villages with my father and people would sing songs such as ‘It Is Well’ and ‘Amazing Grace,’ but when their choirs started song they wrote, a different passion would arise.” Amid societal and ecclesiological division, Selah hope to inspire reconciliation in the Body of Christ. Sonically, ‘One Name’ encompasses a wide variety of genres as a reflection of the cultural diversity of the nations represented through these songs. ‘Glory Hallelujah’ and ‘Jesus Victorious’ display big power vocals whilst ‘So Beautiful’ and ‘God of Ages’ are tender and gentle. The title track, from India, is marked by an undeniable colourful energy whilst ‘Crying Holy’ sounds like Swedish pop songs that have had such a big influence musically in the USA. With ‘One Name,’Selah desire to see the wide-ranging beauty of the Kingdom of God infiltrate English-speaking churches.
REVERE‘s new single ‘Infinito Amor’ (Portuguese for “Everlasting Love”) was penned by Peve, Steph McLeod, and Lucy Grimble during a writing camp with worship leaders from Brazil, the United States, and the United Kingdom hosted on Zoom in 2020. On that day, Scottish singer-songwriter and worship leader Steph Macleod was told that his son had been involved in a work place accident, and due to lockdown rules, Steph and his wife could not attend to their son in the hospital. All that Steph was left with was surrender, worship, thanksgiving, and through a translator, the sharing of this difficult moment with his co-writers. ‘Infinito Amor’ was birthed out of that moment, speaking about the living God who dwells within us; and that whatever comes our way, we can endlessly declare and sing of His goodness. REVERE‘s ‘Infinito Amor’ features Brazil’s Central 3’s Peve and bandmate and collaborator Gabriela Maganete. You will soon also be able to hear the English version, ‘Everlasting Love’, sung by Steph Macleod and Lucy Grimble.
Mission House release a new live dual single from their upcoming album. ‘Behold/Never See The End’ revisits the two songs in the context of a room full of friends, delighting in music and the presence of the Lord during a live recording in Raleigh, North Carolina. The deluxe single carries Mission House’s soulful and organic folk, exhibiting the sensitivity and distinctive of the only female duo in the worship music sphere. ‘Behold’ was written by Mission House’s Taylor Leonhardt a few years ago inspired by the apostle John’s dream in Revelation 21:5, “Behold, I am making all things new.” She started dreaming in turn of what this reality would look like. Poets, storytellers, artists, and songwriters have been exploring suffering for as long as we’ve known it, and when Mission House started playing the song people would approach them with stories of loss, abuse, grief, and addiction. Yet, these stories of heartbreak also spoke of healing, hope, and resurrection. Mission House’s prayer is that ‘Behold’ would inspire us to believe a little more in the resurrection, not only in the distant future but here and now. ‘Never See The End’ drives this message home through the lens of God’s eternal and enduring goodness. Written by Jess Ray, the second single was built on her mother’s contagious testimony and seeks to communicate the beauty of trusting in Jesus’ endless good Nature. With their new live deluxe single, Mission House remind their listeners that when we can’t count on anything else, we can count on God’s promise to be present through it all and to make all things new.
‘Morningtide’ is Scottish band Celtic Worship’s 12-track studio album that has just been named NFN’s Praise & Worship #1 Album of the Year 2021.
The album explores the rich concept of the cycle of night to day being a parallel to the journey of life with Christ. The rhythm of nocturnal darkness turning into the bright dawn is something that the Lord wove into Creation from the very beginning (Genesis 1), but it is also a picture of the binary movement from death to life – the ultimate change that Jesus enabled. ‘Morningtide’ proclaims God’s faithfulness and His constant new mercies, crafting each song around the truth reflected by our daily rhythms. This cadenced movement is a picture of our faith, mirrored by the carefully designed album progression.
In parallel, Celtic Worship’s driving force is a desire to worship God by exploring the depth, intense beauty and theological clarity of psalms and traditional hymns – a music that has been present in Scotland for centuries. ‘Morningtide’ allowed the band to spend time with the more distinctive elements of Scottish ecclesiastical music, giving them the chance to explore ancestral metrical psalms and the melodies they were often sung to. Yet, Celtic Worship bring a unique approach to their revisitation of such material as they infuse the native sounds of bagpipes and fiddle to bring these hymns to life and simultaneously intertwine new originals into the process. ‘Morningtide’ is characterised by an omnipresent sense of heritage, history, and culture, and highlights the undeniable artistic brilliance and stunning sense of connection between the band members: Naomi Stirrat on vocals, Steph Macleod on vocals and acoustic, Mhairi Marwick on fiddle, Scott Wood on bagpipes and whistle, Gus Stirrat on bass, Chris Amer on electric and Ifedade Thomas on drums.
Celtic Worship’s driving force is a desire to worship God by exploring the depth, intense beauty and theological clarity of psalms and traditional hymns – a music that has been present in Scotland for centuries. The band members: Naomi Stirrat on vocals, Steph Macleod on vocals and acoustic, Mhairi Marwick on fiddle, Scott Wood on bagpipes and whistle, Gus Stirrat on bass, Chris Amer on electric and Ifedade Thomas on drums.
‘Morningtide’ is Scottish band Celtic Worship’s new 12-track studio album releasing on October 8th, which explores the rich concept of the cycle of night to day being a parallel to the journey of life with Christ. The rhythm of nocturnal darkness turning into the bright dawn is something that the Lord wove into Creation from the very beginning (Genesis 1), but it is also a picture of the binary movement from death to life – the ultimate change that Jesus enabled. ‘Morningtide’ proclaims God’s faithfulness and His constant new mercies, crafting each song around the truth reflected by our daily rhythms. This cadenced movement is a picture of our faith, mirrored by the carefully designed album progression.
In parallel, Celtic Worship’s driving force is a desire to worship God by exploring the depth, intense beauty and theological clarity of psalms and traditional hymns – a music that has been present in Scotland for centuries. ‘Morningtide’ allowed the band to spend time with the more distinctive elements of Scottish ecclesiastical music, giving them the chance to explore ancestral metrical psalms and the melodies they were often sung to. Yet, Celtic Worship bring a unique approach to their revisitation of such material as they infuse the native sounds of bagpipes and fiddle to bring these hymns to life and simultaneously intertwine new originals into the process. ‘Morningtide’ is characterised by an omnipresent sense of heritage, history, and culture, and highlights the undeniable artistic brilliance and stunning sense of connection between the band members: Naomi Stirrat on vocals, Steph Macleod on vocals and acoustic, Mhairi Marwick on fiddle, Scott Wood on bagpipes and whistle, Gus Stirrat on bass, Chris Amer on electric and Ifedade Thomas on drums.
Celtic Worship present their 3rd single from their awaited upcoming album ‘Morningtide’, a beautiful rendition of ‘Because He Lives’. This hymn has a special place in the band’s story, particularly for frontman Steph Macleod. Having given him strength in both life and in his recovery journey, ‘Because He Lives’ is a song that reaches the soul, speaking words of life when all else is dead and dry. Steph shares his experience of coming to Christ, “I’ll never forget the words I prayed to Jesus that evening: “Lord… I just want a life worth living. If that means following you, then I’m in all the way!” The words to ‘Because He Lives’ appeared on the screen when he attended church a week later…
And life is worth living
Just because He lives! The new Celtic Worship single encourages us to face everyday with a smile knowing that life is worth living. Jesus our Saviour lives!
The second in this favored series from Vineyard Worship, ‘LoFi Vineyard 2’ seeks to draw in the listener and let the subtle, complex, and soothing rhythms set the tempo for the day. Vineyard Worship and producer/musician/worship pastor, James Moscardini, reimagine classics like “Faithful One” and favorites like “Pour It Out” for this masterful, female-forward exploration of modern worship. For work, study or a slow morning, the chill beats, soothing vocals, and dreamy vibes of the new Lo-Fi Vineyard will relax and focus the mind and soul.
Swiss collective ICF Worship are releasing a new EP, ‘Unser Vater’, presenting German versions of key tracks taken from their May 2021 album ‘Choose To Praise.’ The recently released project highlighted the interconnectedness between our deep longing for worship and the current events and communicated a powerful and courageous message that praise is always relevant and worthwhile. New EP ‘Unser Vater’ is a bright and energetic release marked by an overall indie pop worship feel with EDM accents. Yet, it remains approachable and inviting for the global church with a strong congregational appeal. The songs featured on ‘Unser Vater’ have been carefully selected to creatively represent the journey we go through in worship, mixing more atmospheric tracks with exuberant praise and even saxophone solos.These songs were written from a place of sorrow and enduring faith after losing one of ICF Worship’s young leaders, as director of ministry Dave Kull explains, “Through this time, we came to a place of deep, timeless truth; we never want to base our worship on any circumstance or emotion.” The new ICF Worship EP invites the Church to rejoice in the Lord’s never failing presence; it is infused with joy and thankfulness for the love of Our Father (Unser Vater).
A collective of some of Scotland’s most talented folk musicians, Celtic Worship is a Scottish Music Worship ministry which blends traditional and contemporary Christian Worship music with the powerful sound of Bagpipes, Whistles & Fiddle. Their mission is to combine their working life as professional musicians with their deep love of Jesus and their passion to share God’s love through their music. The band is comprised of Scottish musicians from many different backgrounds and styles including: Steph MacLeod, Mhairi Marwick, Scott Wood, Chris Amer, Naomi Stirrat, Gus Stirrat & Ifedade Thomas.
Celtic Worship first performed during Celtic Connections at Adelaide Baptist Church in 2017, and since then, they have performed all over Scotland, Norway and Sweden.
Based in Miami, Florida, singer songwriter and worship leader Steph Alessi Muiña, releases new single ‘Wouldn’t Change A Thing’. Born in a family dedicated to serving Christ in their community, Steph is now director of worship at Metro Life Church. She is a beacon of unifying, faith-filled music permeated by holiness for the Church of today. After her 2017 debut EP ‘Still Waters’ and multiple projects with Metro Life Worship, the singer songwriter is now ready to share her story through her songs more than ever! New single ‘Wouldn’t Change A Thing’ sets the scene for her new EP coming early 2022. Steph describes the single as “a perfect umbrella for the project,” focusing around the thematic of coming out of a hard season singing the faithfulness of God. The past year has been a time of new clarity and hope for the worship artist despite the challenges of the pandemic. She has been on a journey that marked her life and song writing with an unwavering trust in God’s timing after meeting and marrying her husband, Christopher. ‘Wouldn’t Change A Thing’ tell of the joy of living surrendered to the Lord and delighting in His timing, surprises and goodness. The song is a fresh and upbeat ballad oozing with purity and bliss. This is only the beginning for Steph Alessi Muiña; beyond her profound passion for her local church and community, the singer’s contagious enthusiasm and energy for Jesus Christ are about to break out and touch may hearts!
After a stunning introduction to ‘Morningtide’, Celtic Worship’s new album coming in the autumn, the Scottish folk worship band release a second single and revisited hymn ‘Blessed Assurance’. Written by Fanny Crosby, this song is full of incredible lyrics bringing a powerful declaration of faith to life! Despite being an old hymn, ‘Blessed Assurance’ is so relevant in our times; infusing comfort, hope, and unshakeable trust in the Lord in the face of trial, fear, sorrow, and doubt. Fiddle player Mhairi Marwick explains, “we really wanted to give a fresh take on this song and our arrangement felt very natural as we brought lots of energy into this great hymn!” The space created between the choruses allowed Celtic Worship to weave in Scottish melodies written by Scott Wood (bagpipes, whistle) and Mhairi. Singers Steph Macleod and Naomi Stirrat also co-wrote an additional bridge which proclaims the faith and assurance we have in Christ. ‘Blessed Assurance’ beautifully blends the hymn’s traditional roots with a contemporary edge and CelticWorship’s native sonorities.
US multi-cultural collective Village Lights release second single ‘Christ Our King’ from their upcoming debut album. Formed by Sarah Kroger, Ike Ndolo and Ricky Vazquez, the band unites around the pursuit of fostering a community of worshippers centred around God’s inviting love. ‘Christ Our King’ encapsulates what Village Lights‘ album revolves around, the idea of Christ, the King – a nod to the liturgical feast day of the same name in the church calendar. ‘Christ Our King’ is filled with rich lyrics of reverence and grandeur, tying together the intimacy of friendship with Jesus and the royalty of His kingship. There’s something anthemic and inviting embedded in the sound of the new Village Lights single; it resonates with the majesty of the Lord and the warmth of His embrace. ‘Christ Our King’ was produced by Matt Maher and written by Sarah Kroger, Corey Voss, and indie songwriting legend Andy Gullahorn.
Citizens are known for their alternative edge in worship, mixing their utter passion for Jesus with an indie rock soundscape. Their new single ‘To Know You (Live)’ displays the same essence and is a simple heart cry of longing to move from information and knowledge to relationship and presence. The song was written by Citizens‘ Zach Bolen and Jess Ray from North-Carolina folk band Mission House and recorded/filmed in the original church building where Citizens was formed.
‘To Know You’ features guest vocalist Zan Fiskum, fellow Seattle worship artist, who was recently in the final round of The Voice. ‘To Know You’ releases ahead of Citizens‘ new album ‘The Joy Of Being Together (Live)’ coming in September. The cover art and the singles represent various stages of stained glass landscape; the videos accompanying the project were filmed with pieces of staines glass taped to the lenses, giving them difference colours and textures. Citizens are leaning into the idea of the different seasons and stories of our lives coming together to form a beautiful picture; this is the joy of being.
Never for Nothing 