InvitationBrett Rush

Pure and simple worship music is in demand and that is exactly what Brett Rush delivers on this project. With a steady supply of easy lyrics and fresh music he leads his listeners on a folksy worship groove. Most of the tunes on this project are not heavy laden with production beats, while "Fire of God" has a studio pulse to it the rest of the tracks including the highlight "Everyday You" provides a home spun feeling. Rush, the pastor and worship leader of Shiloh Tabernacle in Pennsylvania, is on a mission to invite his listeners to learn about the love of Jesus and he does that with a simple style on this CD. To learn more about Brett Rush log on to www.creativesoulrecords.com

Take Me BackKent Bottenfield

Once a famous pitcher within the major leagues, Bottenfiled has set his sights on singing about the goodness of God. Opening with the up-tempo "I Can't Wait to Go Home" Bottenfield sings of the day when we "can't wait to go home where there will be no more pain." This final day almost came to Bottenfield when he experienced a life threatening blockage in his heart and had to undergo open heart surgery. With the help of a skilled surgeon and prayer Bottenfiled survived and as he says "I have no doubt that after God brought me through all these situations that He has a supreme purpose for this material” Sounding a little bit of Garth Brooks meets Elton John, Bottenfield's vocals caress the title track nicely and makes it easy to see why the project was named for it. The ballad speaks of going back to a time when we were young and things were simple. Produced by Michael Omartian, Bottenfiled has written or co-written most of the songs on the project. His arrangement of the standard "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" brings freshness to the tune and teamed with Tina Herbert in the background the two make a great collaboration on this classic. A good start from the pitcher who now pitch-hits for Jesus. Check out Ken Bottenfield at www.kentbott.com

Big WorldBruce Carroll

After a few years off Bruce Carroll is back and ready to present a project that showcases his spiritual growth. On "Big World" Carroll gives us a mixture of several genres and allows us to see that maturity with ease. Be it the bluesy ballad "Ship out of Water" which speaks of loosing and missing a loved one that has "sailed into the wild blue of heaven" to the funk-infused "Jealousy" no explanation of the lyrics needed, Carroll has something on this album for everyone. One of the most touching tunes on the album "Letters I Left Behind" is an ode to a father who passed away but left letters to his son to give him advice on life after he was gone. Yes Carroll moves lyrically through this "Big World" with all its ups and downs and in doing so reflects that higher level of spirituality that we all should want to emulate.