Reviewed by Andy Payne

When I was told that the WWMT had reinvented themselves musically, I didn't fully believe it. I had expected, perhaps, a slightly less commercial sound, and that was it; perhaps the sounds were only a year or two out of date, which in terms of the rapidly developing world of dance music is an eternity. Guess what. I was wrong! There is a new line up to the Tribe, and it shows. Forget all your pre-conceptions about the Tribe's music. Their music is still made for their schools' work, but as the music school kids are into has changed, and got less commercial over the past few years, so have the Tribe. This album accurately presents exactly where dance music is at right now, done in the Tribe's own style! Musically, it's a mix. There is breakbeat techno on "Hypocrite" and "Heatseeker". In the new line up, Heavyfoot's distinctive rap style has taken a back seat with Tim Owen (nice haircut!) Cameron Dante (nice haircut!) being heard on the rap tune "Make A Change". There are three dance tunes, the standout being the cover of the Bob Dylan tune "Precious Angel", with the gospel voice of Deronda Lewis, and several examples of the whole Tribe singing, rather well actually on "Everything I Need". The album is nicely rounded off with down tempo trippy hoppy slow breakbeat tracks as well, where there's a good opportunity for some really deep lyrics to be sung. As for the lyrics; it's in your face, uncompromising Christianity. Lyrically, they are not afraid to touch on the "Hypocrite" and "Love" of our own failings. I can't see many of the CCM "stars" admitting to emotions such as hate, disgrace and straying from the Word. We are not listening to a group of church kids singing shiny happy songs, but songs from people who have lived life, made mistakes, but turned back to God. When they are talking, they are talking the reality they have lived. This album contains tracks of equal use in a club, as in congregational worship. Although, I must again stand up for the record buying public and say that at under 40 minutes for an album this is far too short, it is worth the money - even if it was 20 minutes long. Essential purchase.

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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