The David Coate Group – Time Keeps On Running – 1981

David Coate became a Christian at the age of 17. He had actually put away his guitar after finding his faith until he saw a Phil Keaggy concert. He realized at that point that he could be a part of the growing CCM music movement. This is his first album after putting together The David Coate Group. The rest of the group was also new performers in the industry. I would classify the album as light rock with some definite rock moments. The album cover screams 80’s though the album itself is a mix of 70’s and 80’s. This was a nice precursor to his sec0ond album which I think is a little better but this one is definitely a great listen.

Tracklist
1 – Sing To The Lord (Psalm 33) – 5:15
2 – Follow Me – 4:34
3 – Time Keeps On Running – 4:20
4 – It’s The Way – 3:43
5 – Where Will You Be – 4:08
6 – Galatians 2:20 – 5:38
7 – Creation – 6:26
8 – What A Love – 4:59
9 – Abundantly – 3:46

Credits
Backing Vocals – Mary Ellen Hopperstad
Backing Vocals, Keyboards – Kevin Wells
Bass – Bob Tillman
Drums – Phil Bonomo
Producer, Lead Vocals, Guitar – David Coate
Saxophone – Larry James
Strings – Anne Herrmann

Split Level – Call Me White Call Me Black – 1994

I am guessing that Split Level was popular in Germany as Pila Music which is a German record company released four albums from the band. This EP was released to coincide with their ‘Artists Against Racism’ tour in Germany. Usually you plan a tour after releasing an album but oddly they planned the tour first but things do work different in the German music scene. Split Level were also named the ‘Best Christian Rock Band’ by the European Christian Booksellers Journal for 1985 on the strength of this EP. I’m amazed these guys were so big in Europe but I never heard of them until recently as they were never released in Canada and I don’t remember reading anything about them in Christian media at the time. As for the album it’s excellent as all their albums are. Colour Wheel was chosen as the first single but I lean more towards Twist In My Sobriety but it was a cover of a Tanita Tikaram song and covers as singles are always risky. Personally I think Colour Wheel is the weakest track on the EP but what do I know. Also of note is that the album was produced by Andy Piercy of After The Fire fame and he helped with the writing of the title track too.

Tracklist
1 – Call Me White Call Me Black – 5:03
2 – Pocket Of Change – 3:47
3 – Colour Wheel – 3:43
4 – Twist In My Sobriety (Mondo Mix) – 3:43
5 – Borderland (Non-Stop Mix) – 3:52
6 – Alone (Penny Whistle Mix) – 3:26

Credits
Bass, Vocals – Gary Preston
Design [Sleeve Design] – Dan Donovan
Drums, Vocals – Rob Craner
Engineer – Paul Burton
Engineer [Assistant] – Trevor Michael
Fiddle, Cymbal – Jean Pierre Rudolph
Photography By [Booklet] – Colin E. Mill
Photography By [Inlay] – Georg Karlstetter
Producer – Andy Piercy
Vocals, Guitar – Adrian Thompson

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Pila Music
Copyright © – Pila Music
Recorded At – ICC Studios
Mixed At – ICC Studios
Pressed By – BOD Berlin Optical Disc