We’ve teamed up with our friends over at One Man In The Middle to bring you regular, unbiased and honest reviews of music albums and EPs from Christian artists and musicians here in the UK and worldwide. Here are his thoughts on Walk With Me by previous #2 artist Sarah Téibo – UK Christian Chart (Dec 2015)
Sarah Teibo invites us to “Walk With Me” in her debut urban gospel infused album. From the first infectious title track you know that you are in for a treat. “Steal My Joy” is a pleasure to listen to and was my first introduction to Sarah’s great talent as this was a single that she released last November.
This is a song that we all need because too often things do steal our joy all too quickly – we need this mind-set reminder that nothing can steal our joy unless we allow it to.
This album is full of bright inspirational songs like “New Day” and “Special”. “Special” is a track that has a simple backing track and allows the song, and particularly the vocal, the opportunity to breathe. It helps that the positive message of the song is well worth hearing too, discussing how there is beauty in everyone around us, because we each have an identity, destiny and potential and we are made in God’s image.
There is more encouragement in “Keep The Faith” which is about reaching out to God on the difficult days and finding Him already reaching back and holding us. This features a great collaboration with Israel Allen and also features some rap from Triple O, showing that Sarah isn’t afraid to mix genre’s even in the same song.
“As the deer pants for the waters” is a familiar line that has been used a lot in worship songs, but in this expression of a desire to be quiet and meditate on God and spend quality time with him it sounds truly beautiful. Along with many other intimate desirous images “I Long For You” is a passionate hunger for time with God.
I have to admit that I loved the simplicity of “Welcome” and it really conveys the way parents, particularly mothers look at their newborn children. If this song gets known then I am sure that this will be a song very popular for dedications and christenings. I have to admit that I really like this song, it’s definitely one to remember as your kids get older and become more testing, that they are still a gift from God.
Sarah has a fantastically soulful voice that lends itself to many different styles within this nu-gospel style. The vocals and backing never seem to be in competition, which is something that cannot always be said for gospel singers. Some of the tracks have that soft vocal quality and others remind me of those Hollywood movies with an exceptional singer in the club sprawling on the grand piano.
If you are looking for something fresh and bright to listen to then “Walk With Me” is an excellent choice. There are songs on this album that encourage you to move your body and others will definitely touch your heart (particularly “Welcome”) and re-awaken feelings that perhaps you have forgotten in relation to others and even in your relationship with your Father.
Walk With Me is now available for purchase on www.sarahteibo.co.uk and for digital download from all major online music stores.
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