Draw Near by Kimberly & Alberto Rivera

Reviewed by Tom Lennie

While the gently intimate worship sounds of American husband and wife Kimberley and Alberto have only become familiar to many of us in Britain in the last year or two, the musical couple have been recording their particular stream of music for a number of years. This album dates to 2003 and is the result of an intimate gathering with "dear friends" at the Rivera's home for a night of "soaking" in the Lord's presence. Apparently, from the very first note, all present stepped into "a divine flow of the Holy Spirit. The whole night became a journey in which these songs poured out spontaneously, one after another". Certainly a heavenly atmosphere attends these gorgeously sensitive sounds; extra gentle piano-based tunes overlaid with Kim's dulcet vocal tones. It really does make for a relaxing and prayerful setting. These almost seamless sounds are expressions of spiritual intimacy with the Father; and on only one track ("Turn") do Kimberley's vocals rise to something like fervency. The others are soft and sensitive, and one is purely instrumental. Lovely sounds and a fine avenue to draw the listener near to the Father's heart, as the artists clearly intended.