Selah - Hiding Place

Reviewed by Terry Bateman

Doesn't that sound a clumsy summary? Maybe it is, but it covers the ground as essentially this is what the album is. I struggled to get a grip on this album as it is a real mix of musical styles and interpretations. Some work much better than others. If you know your US CCM you'll know that Selah are Nicol Sponberg, Todd Smith and Allan Hall, who have clocked up big US sales and won a Dove for inspirational album of the year. The album is well produced and the musicianship is undoubted. There are some musical heavy weights on here too. Check out Jerry McPherson's guitar and Eric Darken's percussion work with the vocal talents of Vicki Hampton backing up the strong vocal performances. The tracks that work best for me are "You Are My Hiding Place" and Andrae Crouch's "Through It All", though there are other strong contributions. Also worth a mention are the two tracks performed in the Kituba (Congo) language "Esengo" and "By And By". Strangely, there are also three tracks not mentioned at all on the album inlay card or booklet and these are more contemporary in their sound. All in all a mixed bag. An album worth a look if you like your hymns and Christian songs arranged a bit differently.