Month: November 2025

Children Of The Consuming Fire – Come Home Phlubber – 1993

This is the 2nd and final album from Children Of The Consuming Fire. I still can not find out much about this great band so let’s just talk about the album. Personally I love this album but I don’t get a 1993 feel from the album. It would have fit much better in the mid to late 80’s but it doesn’t really matter to me because I prefer the 80’s era of music anyway. One of the things that stands out on this album for me is that so many tracks have a proper catchy intro. This is a technique that helps your mind recognize a track right away and is such good writing. “Swim” has a great Bass intro and essentially set’s up the bass to be the lead instrument for the song. This is not a common thing to do because it usually doesn’t work but it sure does work on this track. My favourite track is “One Small Step” which has a great 80’s alternative feel with great U2 feeling guitar track. All in all this is a great album and there’s a few tracks here that are going in my regular rotation.

Tracklist
1 – Come Home Phlubber – 2:58
2 – Swim, Swim, Swim – 3:31
3 – Hold This Child – 3:51
4 – Father Take Me – 2:48
5 – One Small Step – 3:13
6 – Say You Will – 4:26
7 – Taste And See – 3:52
8 – I See – 2:34
9 – Modern Pharisee – 3:36
10 – I Don’t Know Why – 3:56
11 – Love Like You Do – 3:31
12 – Phlubber’s Prayer – 3:24
13 – Bonus Track – 3:50

Credits
Backing Vocals – Andreana Arganda, Eddie Arizmendi, Jon Bestwick, Tim Curiel
Bass Guitar – Marc Rivera
Crew – Gabriel Aguirrie
Drums – Tim Curiel
Effects [Gun Shot] – John Wyrosdick
Finger Snaps – Andreana Arganda, Gabriel Aguirrie, Larry Hampton
Guitar – Eddie Arizmendi, Jon Bestwick
Keyboards – John Wyrosdick
Lead Vocals – Marc Rivera
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Percussion – Tim Curiel
Performer [The Children Are] – Skeddie Arizmendi, Jon Bestwick, Marc Rivera, Tim Curiel
Photography By – Albert D. Gonzales
Producer, Engineer, Mixed By – Chris Wimber
Sampler [Disco Drum Samples] – Chris Wimber
Sounds [Live Sound] – Danny McDonnell

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Vineyard Studios
Mixed At – Vineyard Studios
Mastered At – Future Disc

Barratt Band – Playin’ in the City – 1981

This is one of my personal favourites from the 80’s and easily resides in my top 100. It was released as Playing In The City in the U.K. and Playin’ in the City in North America. It also had 2 different album covers with the North American one coming in as the clear winner. The Strat will usually win. The Barratt Band was basically The Alwyn Wall band without Alwyn with Norman on vocals instead but with a more mainstream sound. There’s a bit of an After The Fire feel and they did have a connection as Bass player Tim Hatwell had been in the band Narnia with John Russell and Peter Banks. I also read somewhere that Tim did some work with ATF but I have not confirmed that with Peter Banks yet. Anyway these guys meshed really really well and the opening track sets the tone for a great rock pop album. If you missed this one in the day you need to give it a listen, you won’t be sorry.

Tracklist
1 – The Only One – 3:18
2 – Not The Way – 4:50
3 – Your Love – 5:40
4 – Playing In The City – 4:15
5 – Coming Of The Man – 1:55
6 – Bad Mean World – 2:37
7 – My Spirit’s Free – 4:15
8 – Voice In The Night – 6:54
9 – Never Seen Your Face – 6:30

Credits
Bass Guitar – Tim Hatwell
Drums – Russell Caldwell
Engineer – Paul Cobbold
Guitar – Norman Barratt
Keyboards – Dave Morris
Keyboards [Additional Keyboards] – Walter Bollard
Producer – Vic Coppersmith, Norman Barratt
Vocals – Norman Barratt
Written-By – Norman Barratt, Tim Hatwell

Companies, etc.
Copyright © – Refuge Records
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Refuge Records
Distributed By – The Benson Company
Recorded At – Chapel Lane Studios
Mastered At – Masterfonics

Nedra Ross – Full Circle – 1978

This is the only Christian album we got from Nedra Ross (Nedra Talley-Ross). You may remember her as a member of the The Ronettes who had a huge hit with “Be My Baby”. While this is Nedra’s only solo album she did appear prominently on 2 of Ted Sandquist’s album with Phil Keaggy. Strangely this album was marketed as a soul album but it is not. In fact it is more in the style of Phil Keaggy of the era but that’s not surprising because Phil is all over this album. He wrote several of the tracks and played Guitar on the album. The stand out track for me is the cover of the Keith Green song “I Dont Want To Fall Away From You” with my second favourite track being a cover of the Phil Keaggy 1973 song “Sunrise To Sunset”. This really is a great album but I am guessing many people missed it because of wrong marketing. Usually I complain about poor marketing but this idea was even worse. Unfortunately like so many great Christian artists Nedra was unable to make a decent living in the industry so she moved on to a successful Real Estate career in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Tracklist
1 – Full Circle – 4:44
2 – You Write The Songs – 4:53
3 – Without Him – 4:18
4 – I Dont Want To Fall Away From You – 2:55
5 – Sunrise To Sunset – 3:48
6 – Gonna Keep My Mind (Stayed On You) – 4:46
7 – Unchanging Love For You – 4:07
8 – With Every Bit Of Strength – 4:00
9 – I Know I Love You – 3:41
10 – Lean On Me – 4:23

Credits
Arranged By [Vocal Arrangements] – Bobby Schiff, Phil Keaggy
Backing Vocals – Bernadette Keaggy, Bonnie Booko, Doug Bonin, Nedra Ross, Phil Keaggy
Bass – Dennis Johnson
Engineer – Gary Hedden, Mal Davis
Guitar, Mandolin – Phil Keaggy
Keyboards – Bobby Schiff
Mixed By [Remixing] – Gary Hedden
Percussion – Tom Pabich, Tommy Radtke
Producer – Scott Ross
Steel Guitar – Bobbie Thomas
Strings, Horns – Bobby Schiff
Tom Tom [Syntom] – Tommy Radtke

Companies, etc.
Mastered At – Diskwerks
Distributed By – Jubilation Group
Copyright © – New Song Productions
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – New Song Productions
Published By – Free Love Publishing
Published By – April-Blackwood

Recess – Discipline Of The Groove – 1990

The boys from Olivet Nazarene University are back with their second album. This one continues their Pop Hip Hop sound and has an almost identical feel to their first album. I’d love to tell you more but that’s all I really have. The album is good but there isn’t a track that reaches out to me to say “That’s my favourite track”. Maybe this is just one of those albums you listen to in it’s entirety and that’s it.

Tracklist
1 – Discipline Of The Groove – 4:56
2 – In That Number – 5:19
3 – That’s The Way He Planned It – 3:52
4 – Hands That Made The World – 5:29
5 – My Own Way – 4:32
6 – Last Call – 6:14
7 – Fun Tonight – 3:41
8 – Deceive And Destroy – 4:43
9 – Don’t Run Away – 5:52
10 – I Found Love – 3:46

Credits
Art Direction – Buddy Jackson
Backing Vocals [Additional] – Brenda Blonski, “Kuk” Harrell, Morris “Butch” Stewart
Bass – David Quinones
Co-producer – “Kuk” Harrell
Computer [Macintosh] – John Ovnik
Cover – D. Rhodes
Design – Stephen Walker
Drums – Mike Kondourajian
Engineer – “Kuk” Harrell, Morris “Butch” Stewart
Engineer [Second] – Derek Ware
Executive-Producer – Michael Blanton, Terry Hemmings
Guitar – David Quinones, Jerry Gassie, Tim McGuire
Keyboards – Tony Bobalik
Mastered By – Hank Williams
Photography By – Russ Harrington
Producer – Morris “Butch” Stewart
Programmed By – “Kuk” Harrell, Morris “Butch” Stewart
Rap [Special Guest] – M.C. Microwave “Sean Hall”
Saxophone – David Carlson, Mark Colby
Vocals – David Quinones, Dianne Songer Gadberry, Tim McGuire
Voice [Dark Dude] – Jeff Morrow

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Reunion Records
Copyright © – Reunion Records
Distributed By – Word (Uk) Ltd.
Printed By – Player Print & Design
Glass Mastered At – Nimbus
Recorded At – Homeboy Recording Studio
Mastered At – Mastermix
Designed At – Jackson Design

Andrew Culverwell – Everyday – 1980

This was an album I pulled out of the stack because of the cover. Yes I know the cover is bad but this style of cover has surprised me many times by being a Rock & Roll album. Unfortunately this time I was wrong as this is not a Rock & Roll album. So off I went to learn more about Andrew and he’s actually a really interesting artist. Andrew was actually going to school for acting but music was his real talent. Upon finishing school he joined the group The Four Kingsmen who recorded 4 excellent EP’s from 1964 to 1969. They weren’t particularly Rock & Roll but they were pretty good. While with the Kingsmen he had a day job at a shoe factory as it was almost impossible to earn a living as a Christian artist in the 60’s. Anyway he recorded his first solo album in 1971 and had many more over the years. He is probably best known as the writer of Evie’s huge hit “Come On Ring Those Bells” in 1977. As for this album it is pretty easy listening and not really my style but it is a pretty good album. If you prefer the Easy Listening style this is a must listen.

Tracklist
1 – Everyday – 3:26
2 – Open Your Heart – 3:23
3 – Do You Believe In Love – 3:08
4 – Winner’s Song – 3:13
5 – Final Destination – 2:48
6 – Think Upon These Things – 2:22
7 – Praise Him – 2:49
8 – Follow Me – 2:34
9 – Heaven Is Where You Are – 3:36
10 – Best Friend – 3:16
11 – Ready To Serve – 2:49

Pantano-Salsbury – Hit the Switch – 1977

This album appears to be Ron Salsbury And J.C. Power Outlet without David Edwards. I’m a little unsure how this came about as David was still working with Ron & John on other projects so I don’t think there was any great drama here. Now to be clear this was a Solid Rock/Larry Norman project so who knows when it was actually recorded but I think it’s a good guess in was recorded in 76 or 77. You can definitely feel Larry’s influence on the album especially on “I’m Just A Record” which has Larry written all over it. As was typical for Solid Rock in this time period Tom Howard and Randy Stonehill appear on the album. The album has a seventies feel and I actually really liked it especially “I’m Just A Record”. In typical Larry fashion Side 1 of the album is labelled “Rock” and Side 2 “and Roll.” In 2023 Randy Layton over at Alternative Records re-released this album with a ton of bonus material, and I mean a ton. Depending on when you read this we have already uploaded it or plan to (Dec 2025).

Tracklist
1 – I’m Just A Record – 4:18
2 – Soul Seeker – 6:17
3 – Hold On – 5:37
4 – I Need You – 4:06
5 – People Tend To Forget – 4:50
6 – Lover Of My Soul – 3:39
7 – Magic Of The Moonlight – 5:47
8 – To Be Near You – 4:30
9 – I Don’t Wanna Wander – 5:48

Credits
Arranged By [Strings], Conductor [Strings] – Tom Howard
Backing Vocals [Background] – John Pantano, Larry Norman, Randy Stonehill, Ron Salsbury, Tom Howard
Bass – David Coy
Drums, Percussion – Peter Johnson
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – Tom Howard
Engineer – Stewart Whitmore
Graphics [Graphic Production] – Liza McDonald
Management [Coorespondence], Booking [Concert Representation] – Street Level Artists Agency
Percussion – Bruce Neal
Photography By, Design [Album Etc.] – Larry Norman
Piano – Jeffrey David Hooven
Producer [Produced By], Arranged By – Larry Norman
Vocals, Acoustic Guitar – Ron Salsbury
Vocals, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Harmonica – John Pantano

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Solid Rock Records
Copyright © – Solid Rock Records
Copyright © – King Of Hearts Publishing
Copyright © – Strawbed Music
Produced For – Solid Rock Productions, Inc.
Distributed By – Jubilation Group
Recorded At – Mama Jo’s
Recorded At – Solid Rock Recording Studios
Mastered At – ABC Recording Studios

Michael Omartian – Conversations – 1986

This is an album with strange timing. Right when Michael was at the top of his career they decided that an instrumental album would be perfect. Yes I do know who the market for this type of album was. Musicians enjoy instrumental albums I guess because they enjoy when vocals don’t clutter up the music. That said they are a small portion of the market so I usually don’t understand these instrumental releases and this album is no exception. I listened to this album a few times and, well, I just fond it boring. Yes I recognize that the talent is there and I admit that Michael was one of the best keyboardists of the period but without vocals I struggle to enjoy any music. Now that I have said my piece this album is a good display of Michael’s expertise and while I wouldn’t suggest you buy this one if you aren’t a bit of an aficionado of this genre, I do suggest you give it a listen as it is very good.

Tracklist
1 – Homelands – 5:49
2 – The Soldier – 4:07
3 – The Time Is Now – 2:39
4 – Festival Of The Dance – 4:46
5 – Right From The Start – 1:40
6 – The Desert – 4:12
7 – The Call – 7:07
8 – The Rest – 4:20

Credits
Design [Album Design] – Stan Evenson Design, Inc.
Engineer [2nd] – Laura Livingston
Engineer, Mixed By – Terry Christian
Mastered By – Bernie Grundman
Photography By – Phil Fewsmith
Programmed By [All Synthesizer], Percussion [Additional] – Erich Bulling
Written-By, Performer, Producer – Michael Omartian

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Reunion Records
Copyright © – Reunion Records
Published By – See This House Music
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – Lion Share Recording Studios
Mastered At – Bernie Grundman Mastering
Mastered At – Sheffield Lab Matrix
Pressed By – Allied Record Company

Shirley Caesar – Jesus, I Love Calling Your Name – 1983

CCM music as it was presented to me is a funny thing. I don’t recall seeing a single soul gospel album at my local record store. Now I did live in rural Canada so I’m not overly surprised but why didn’t the big record companies try to get up to listen to people like Pastor Shirley Caesar? The woman had at least 30 albums out by the 80’s so how come I never heard of her. The album we’re featuring today came in 1983 and is probably one of the best soul gospel albums I have ever heard. I do not understand how an artist who has 59 studio albums starting in 1967, 12 Grammy Awards and 18 Doves as well as induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame isn’t better known to me. I do not like to throw around the word racism but I do not understand why no one was trying to sell this music to white kids in the 80’s. Anyway this probably the best soul album I have heard from the era. The title track, just shortened down to “Jesus”, is worth the entire price of admission and “Guilty As Judas” was begging for a Blues Brothers version.

Tracklist
1 – I’ll Keep My Light On In The Window – 4:00
2 – He’s Only A Prayer Away – 4:28
3 – I Don’t Wanna Stay Here – 4:13
4 – Mark Of The Beast – 4:34
5 – No Charge – 3:25
6 – Take It Away From Me – 3:35
7 – I Won’t Let Go – 3:50
8 – Jesus – 3:41
9 – Guilty As Judas – 3:59

Credits
Arranged By [Strings And Horns] – Lloyd Barry, Sanchez Harley
Art Direction – McConnell Graphics
Backing Vocals – Ann Price, Bernard Sterling, Carl Hunter, Charles Obie, Donna McElroy, LeRoy Caesar, Mike Mathis, Ron Meadows, Steve Twyman, The Caesar Singers
Bass – Jessie Boyce, Tom Robb
Drums – James Stroud
Engineer – Ken Corlew, Rick McCollister
Executive-Producer – Ken Harding
Guitar – Larry Byrom, Reggie Young, Steve Buckingham
Horns – The Nashville Hornworks
Keyboards – Lisa Nelson, Mike Mathis, Randy McCormick, Tony Brown
Liner Notes – Carolyn Sanders, Attorney Richard Manson*
Mastered By – Hank Williams
Percussion – Micky Buckins
Photography By – Rick Blumen
Producer – Tony Brown
Strings – The A Strings

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Pressed By – Monarch Record Mfg. Co. – △25970
Recorded At – Woodland Studios
Mixed At – Woodland Studios
Mastered At – Woodland Studios

Marcos Witt – Adoremos! – 1988

People still don’t seem to know how big the Spanish Christian music scene was in the 80’s. So many great artists are completely unknown to us because these albums were rarely marketed in the U.S. This album however was released in the U.S. so we decided to feature it for our Spanish friends. Marcus Witt is probably the busiest Spanish CCM artist of all time. He actually has 45 studio albums and almost all of them have distribution so this isn’t a bunch of self released stuff. This was probably his best selling album of the 80’s so it’s the one we chose to feature. The album itself is great. It has a great 80’s Pop feel and the mix is dead on. I only understand a few words here and there but I do like what I’m hearing. We may feature more of his albums in the future if you guys like this one.

Tracklist
1 – Tengo La Victoria – 4:14
2 – Un Adorador – 4:16
3 – Tu Misericordia – 4:42
4 – Libertad – 4:44
5 – Te Amo – 6:09
6 – Resucitó – 5:04
7 – Mira – 4:19
8 – Yo Soy – 5:50
9 – Adoremos – 4:15
10 – Hoy – 5:07

Credits
Arranged By, Piano, Drums, Bass, Keyboards – David Bell
Backing Vocals – Beatriz Olmos, Christina Garcia, Felipe Witt, Ivonne Murillo, Josefina Rivera, Lorena Warren, Mona Lisa Zeriuche, Nolita Warren
Engineer, Mixed By, Mastered By – Byron Spears
Guitar – Alan Richards, Byron Spears
Mixed By – David Bell
Producer, Engineer, Mixed By, Arranged By, Keyboards, Bass, Drums, Percussion, Effects – César E. Garza
Producer, Mixed By, Backing Vocals, Vocals, Arranged By, Keyboards, Piano, Violin – Marcos Witt
Saxophone – Ricardo Revelez

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – CanZion Producciones
Copyright © – CanZion Producciones
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word Communications Ltd.
Distributed By – Word (Uk) Ltd.
Pressed By – U.S. Optical Disc
Recorded At – Kingdom Productions, San Antonio, Tx

Tata Vega – Time’s So Right – 1988

Tata Vega was a very successful secular artist with several albums as well as a great stage career. Her career slowed in the early 80’s but she returned in 1988 with this European release. This is a fantastic album and I can not fathom how this album didn’t get a North American release. I mean she is a far better vocalist than many of the CCM darlings of the period but we all know CCM music and female artists had difficulties. I know she had some interaction with Myrrh records as she had a song on the 1987 “Voices” sampler but I guess they couldn’t close a record deal. That sampler is how I actually found out about her and subsequently found this album which was released on small Swedish label that I am developing a strong respect for. They seemed to buck the trends of the time with some real quality signings. While a lot of her secular work had more of a soul feel this album is a straight up Pop album with the exception of a rather spectacular cover of James Brown’s “This Is A Man’s Man’s World” The album is a must own for that track alone. So this album falls in that category of a fantastic album you never heard because it never had a North American release. Do yourself a favour and listen to it now. If you feel the need to buy it get the CD as it has a bonus track.

Tracklist
1 – Maybe Tonight – 4:06
2 – Never Let Die – 4:20
3 – Your Love Is Live – 4:19
4 – Ain’t No Such Thing As In Between – 3:36
5 – Just Walk On In – 4:00
6 – It’s A Jungle Out There – 4:48
7 – Living In Paradise – 4:17
8 – Touch Somebody – 4:45
9 – This Is A Man’s Man’s World – 4:10
10 – Jesus Is The Rock Of My Salvation – 2:06
11 – Don’t Turn Away – 5:09

Credits
Executive-Producer – Jeffrey Vander Plate*, Tata Vega
Mixed By – Galen Senogles
Producer – Andrae Crouch, Bill Maxwell, Frank Ådahl, Galen Senogles, Jeff Vander Plate, Lars Kilevold, Ralph Benatar, Tata Vega

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Royal Music Productions
Copyright © – Royal Music Productions
Recorded At – Royal Music Studio
Recorded At – Sheika Studios
Distributed By – Word Entertainment (UK), Ltd.