Ivo And Malin - Holy One

Reviewed by Gareth Paul Taylor

This is an engaging and well presented debut EP from two of Kensington Temple's main worship leaders, Ivo and Malin Ivanov. The CD comes with a well executed mock vinyl effect for that retro feel! Senior pastor Colin Dye's endorsement speaks of "songs which have been a blessing to us here in London." It's easy to see why; the four songs are catchy and diverse, leading from the opening track's soaring guitar-driven praise into adoration in the closing numbers. The studio environment never really does justice to what I'm sure is a great expansive sound in live worship; the first two tracks sound rather dry and cluttered and the vocals laboured at times, but thankfully the production is enhanced by the choir of KT Worship singers recorded in the live ambience of Kensington Temple itself, providing quality reminiscent of Hillsong or, nearer home, Abundant Life, Bradford. The brilliant jazz outro to "Holy One" gives us a taste of Ivo's quality as a keyboard player which finally gets to shine in the intimacy of my favourite track, the closing song "Search Me Oh God", where some lovely piano-playing is accompanied by a tastefully minimal keyboard cello line. This strategic taster EP bodes well for the future. In the words of the pastor "there's much more to come!"