Reviewed by Stephen Luff

'Salute' is the band's first album with Bandmaster Carl Saunders conducting throughout. The band tours the UK representing the Salvation Army sometimes in unusual locations which suggests the music played needs to be varied as well. The opening track "Enter The Galaxies" captures the flying through space experience expertly, while Peter Graham's "Sirocco" energy increases as the track gathers pace and suddenly drops after two minutes! "A Psalm Of Praise", based around "Praise My Soul, The King Of Heaven", drops in and out of the hymn during its almost six minutes of length. "Troops Salute" was written for the retirement festival of Bandmaster Major John Mott and features favourites such as "Are You Washed In The Blood Of The Lamb?", "Repton" and "There Is Only One Flag For Me". If you have not experienced the variety of music of played by a Troops Band, this is a great introduction.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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Any kind of salute in most military situations is an acknowledgement of the commission held by the person being saluted, whether it be a reigning monarch or a president. In a British military band concert, it would be traditional to acknowledge applause from the audience with a salute, rather than a bow. The Salvation Army salute recognises that any praise or recognition goes to God, hence the one finger pointing towards heaven.

The Household Troops Band was originally formed in 1887 to march the streets and roads of Great Britain with the Gospel message. During the six years that the band was in action, many people came to faith in Christ. The band demonstrated great musical ability and strong physical stamina as it marched through Great Britain and abroad to Ireland, Holland and North America. It was the concept of this band which caught the imagination of the then Captain John Mott (in his appointment as National Bandmaster) to form another band, one hundred years later, for a 10-day tour along the south coast of England, often sleeping in the halls in which they played the concert!

Since those days, the band has gone from strength to strength, sometimes playing in venues which might seem unusual for a Salvation Army band; Eastbourne bandstand, Taunton Flower Show, Rose Bowl Parade and Crystal Cathedral in California among many others. London’s Lord Mayor’s Show is a spectacular parade through the City of London and is watched by tens of thousands lining the streets and millions more on television. The band is privileged to represent The Salvation Army in this event every year.

The band has made many recordings of which this is the first under the leadership of Bandmaster Carl Saunders.