Reviews

COMPUTER GAMES

Fun for all the family

Rayman Gold (Ubi Soft, Focus Essential series, PC only, £9.99)

The Focus range of budget-priced CD-Roms - mostly £9.99 - cover a wide spread of titles ranging from games, education, and knowledge to crafts, office products and travel.

Rayman is a classic platform game that has been around for a few years now, available on most formats from PC to Nintendo 64 and Playstation.

He's a chirpy character who has a quest to fulfil, surmounting various obstacles and enemies on the way. This CD contains the original game plus 24 new levels, and tools to create your own levels and extend the game.

It's innocuous fun, and suitable for all the family - which makes a change from much of the violent shoot 'em ups or occult-influenced roleplay which seems to dominate the games market at the moment.

We'll be looking at more Focus titles in the updates ahead.

Christian Herald review team

MUSIC

Explosive collection

Salvador, by Salvador. Myrrh Records (Word), CD £10.99

MANY a church worship band would love to see their music reaching a wider audience. A fair number achieve that goal one way or another, but few carry it off with the originality and fervour of Latino-styled five-piece Salvador. No celebrity cash-in on the Latin/salsa explosion this one, but the grassroots authenticity of a team who started out in front of a congregation in Austin, Texas.

Opener Lord, I Come Before You hits home with all the fire of a tequila slammer (not that I’d know from personal consumption), and they keep up the heat with an English/Spanish version of David Danced (When The Spirit Of The Lord) – imagine Santana working on that one and you’d be somewhere close, and other tracks follow in a similar vein.

Even on the ballads Crucified and Cry Holy there’s an explosiveness just lying in wait for the big chorus to come along, but things finally cool down with Albar Al Señor, Healing and With God.

Such is the buzz around these boys that already they’ve been featured on the star-studded CCM compilation One, which was put together to mark World Youth Day. It’s well worth finding out what the fuss is about.

Hard to fault

Live In London And More …, by Donnie McClurkin, Verity, Zomba Recording Corporation (Word), CD£14.99, cassette £9.99.

NOT the first top US Gospel artist to choose to make a live recording in Britain, Donnie McClurkin’s second album features highlights of his appearance at Croydon’s Fairfield Halls, and what a treat it must have been on the night.

Jumoke Fashola scarcely manages to finish her introduction before Donnie and his band and choir launch into That’s What I Believe and the show gets into full swing. Things simmer down a little with Just For Me, but the atmosphere soon builds again with a rapturous reception for special guest Marvin Winans, who duets with Donnie on Who Would’ve Thought.

Also going down well with the crowd a few tracks later are the Caribbean Medley and the urban groove of Victory Chant (Hail Jesus), and as you’d expect there’s no shortage of audience participation on Lord I Lift Your Name On High.

Kyle Matthews’ We Fall Down is another classic, but after the first few times I’d skip the Reprise/Altar Call, and move straight on to the contemporary r & b-styled finale I Do I Do.

From the slow gospel ballads to up-to-the-minute grooves, this is a hard one to fault.

Peter Dilley is a bass guitarist and part-time studio technician

BOOKS

Disappointing style

A Quiet Revolution by Frances Farrar (Rider Books, £9.99)

Frances Farrar explores the values teaching undertaken at West Kidlington Primary School. Clearly the staff are enthusiastic about the scheme; the aim is to help the children to be happy, bright, balanced, respectful and honourable.

Twenty-two values are explored over a two-year period, and these are taught, acted out, discussed and reflected upon, both at the daily school assembly, in class, playground and home throughout the month.

Thoughtful, honest, respectful behaviour used to be expected from pupils, but the difference here is that all school personnel and parents are involved in the practice of each value.

With the pressures of Ofsted testing, it is good to see quality time given to reflection and development of responsible behaviour; the self-discipline of the children enables them to achieve good academic results. The principles set out in the book could be practised with effect in senior schools, homes, churches and work situations.

For all that, I found the style of the book disappointing. The text did not flow and so became tedious at times. I experienced the 'cringe factor' when children wearing a constant smile were rewarded. This and other statements make me hope that staff can see under a facade and explore the deep pain many children experience.

June Brown is a former health visitor and teache

© Christian Family Network
is run by CPO, supported by
Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting,
Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.


		COMPUTER GAMES Fun for all the family Rayman Gold (Ubi Soft, Focus Essential series, PC only, £9.99) The Focus range of budget-priced CD-Roms - mostly £9.99 - cover a wide spread of titles ranging from games, education, and knowledge to crafts, office products and travel. Rayman is a classic platform game that has been around for a few years now, available on most formats from PC to Nintendo 64 and Playstation. He's a chirpy character who has a quest to fulfil, surmounting various obstacles and enemies on the way. This CD contains the original game plus 24 new levels, and tools to create your own levels and extend the game. It's innocuous fun, and suitable for all the family - which makes a change from much of the violent shoot 'em ups or occult-influenced roleplay which seems to dominate the games market at the moment. We'll be looking at more Focus titles in the updates ahead. Christian Herald review team MUSIC Explosive collection Salvador, by Salvador. Myrrh Records (Word), CD £10.99 MANY a church worship band would love to see their music reaching a wider audience. A fair number achieve that goal one way or another, but few carry it off with the originality and fervour of Latino-styled five-piece Salvador. No celebrity cash-in on the Latin/salsa explosion this one, but the grassroots authenticity of a team who started out in front of a congregation in Austin, Texas. Opener Lord, I Come Before You hits home with all the fire of a tequila slammer (not that I’d know from personal consumption), and they keep up the heat with an English/Spanish version of David Danced (When The Spirit Of The Lord) – imagine Santana working on that one and you’d be somewhere close, and other tracks follow in a similar vein. Even on the ballads Crucified and Cry Holy there’s an explosiveness just lying in wait for the big chorus to come along, but things finally cool down with Albar Al Señor, Healing and With God. Such is the buzz around these boys that already they’ve been featured on the star-studded CCM compilation One, which was put together to mark World Youth Day. It’s well worth finding out what the fuss is about. Hard to fault Live In London And More …, by Donnie McClurkin, Verity, Zomba Recording Corporation (Word), CD£14.99, cassette £9.99. NOT the first top US Gospel artist to choose to make a live recording in Britain, Donnie McClurkin’s second album features highlights of his appearance at Croydon’s Fairfield Halls, and what a treat it must have been on the night. Jumoke Fashola scarcely manages to finish her introduction before Donnie and his band and choir launch into That’s What I Believe and the show gets into full swing. Things simmer down a little with Just For Me, but the atmosphere soon builds again with a rapturous reception for special guest Marvin Winans, who duets with Donnie on Who Would’ve Thought. Also going down well with the crowd a few tracks later are the Caribbean Medley and the urban groove of Victory Chant (Hail Jesus), and as you’d expect there’s no shortage of audience participation on Lord I Lift Your Name On High. Kyle Matthews’ We Fall Down is another classic, but after the first few times I’d skip the Reprise/Altar Call, and move straight on to the contemporary r & b-styled finale I Do I Do. From the slow gospel ballads to up-to-the-minute grooves, this is a hard one to fault. Peter Dilley is a bass guitarist and part-time studio technician BOOKS Disappointing style A Quiet Revolution by Frances Farrar (Rider Books, £9.99) Frances Farrar explores the values teaching undertaken at West Kidlington Primary School. Clearly the staff are enthusiastic about the scheme; the aim is to help the children to be happy, bright, balanced, respectful and honourable. Twenty-two values are explored over a two-year period, and these are taught, acted out, discussed and reflected upon, both at the daily school assembly, in class, playground and home throughout the month. Thoughtful, honest, respectful behaviour used to be expected from pupils, but the difference here is that all school personnel and parents are involved in the practice of each value. With the pressures of Ofsted testing, it is good to see quality time given to reflection and development of responsible behaviour; the self-discipline of the children enables them to achieve good academic results. The principles set out in the book could be practised with effect in senior schools, homes, churches and work situations. For all that, I found the style of the book disappointing. The text did not flow and so became tedious at times. I experienced the 'cringe factor' when children wearing a constant smile were rewarded. This and other statements make me hope that staff can see under a facade and explore the deep pain many children experience. June Brown is a former health visitor and teache © Christian Family Network is run by CPO, supported by Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting, Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.