Let's dance! Finally, the wait is over. Warner Resound is releasing Heatseeker to the US market. If you aren't familiar with World Wide Message Tribe, they formed to minister to Manchester (England) school kids but their popular dance music has made them a hit with audiences across Europe and America winning them a Dove Award last year for We Don't Get What We Deserve.
This album finds them on new ground again. Most school ministries would just rework their current stuff but not this one. Their music always has a fresh, new sound to it and this album is no exception. Once again World Wide Message Tribe has come up with an album that reflects current trends in dance music. With influences from bands like the Chemical Brothers and Prodigy, tracks like "Messiah," "Heatseeker," and "Hypocrite," are sure to keep the dancers happy. My favorite track is "Hypocrite" in which the singer talks about being himself a "Hypocrite" for not always being willing to share Christ with others, an idea taken from Paul's letter to the Romans. Also appearing is a house version of Bob Dylan's "Precious Angel." As usual, the lyrics are blatantly Christian but never formalistic.
This album also sees World Wide Message Tribe going through a major change in line-up. Founding members Andy Hawthorne and Mark Pennells have stepped back from their work with the band, although they can still be heard on Heatseeker. Cameron Dante is now a full-time member of the Tribe. He joined the group after his conversion in 1995 at one of their worship events. Dante is well acquainted with the dance scene having worked as a DJ and a member of Bizarre Inc., the band that scored a world wide hit with "I'm Gonna Get You." He has also released a solo album as Preacha, titled Geography of a Journey, documenting his spiritual journey. Another addition to the line-up has been Doronda D. Lewis, who has replaced Beth Vickers (now Mrs. Matt Redman and member of Storm) as lead vocalist. Doronda brings an interesting black Gospel influence to the music. Replacing Mark Pennells is Tim Owen, who was known as a rapper and dancer in the now deceased British dance band re:fresh.
The UK version of this album was way too short--clocking in at 34 minutes, but the US version is a full album. The order of the original ten songs has been changed, the title for the song "Cuckooland" is now "Without You," and three new tracks have been added. Two of the tracks are remixes of my favorite "Hypocrite" and the only new song on the album, "Lift It" (which appears in the UK on the Jumping In The House Of God III album).
Run out and pick up this release today. You'll be dancing all the way home.
4.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Lighthouse Unsorted 1999Reviewed by Stacey Lee FeldmanWorld Wide Message Tribe has outdone themselves, turning in a massive spirit-filled and energy-driven project that is truly deserving of the name, Heatseeker. It wouldn't be fair to classify this as a straight dance project, although the Tribe is known as a dance group. There are a lot of rapped vocals and heavy guitars stirred in, which adds smacks of techno, industrial, and club. Fans of the…The Phantom Tollbooth 1998Reviewed by Darryl CottierOne look at the new World Wide Message Tribe CD and you know that something is different... From the graphics of the CD, to a new line-up and even new haircuts (see inside the CD sleeve). The Tribe have redesigned themselves and come away with a great album and the music has been brought up to date with the ever-changing dance rhythms of the club scene. The WWMT exist only to help supply income…The Phantom Tollbooth 1998Reviewed by James StewartThe Tribe has come a long way from the days of Take a Long Hike, and their profile has gradually increased to where they are now one of the four biggest-selling UK Christian acts. This album has been given mainstream distribution to reflect their growing popularity. Despite all this, the group is still focused on their work in Manchester schools, and the album is aimed directly at the kids they…Similar sounding releases
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