August 26, 2016 • No Comments

UK CCM website CrossRhythms has just posted a good review of MATT JR HURLEY’s “Raising Questions” EP.

The reviewer picked up on  Matt’s recent history and the writing of the songs and went on to note: “… Hurley skilfully balances the undeniably downbeat feel of the EP with the certainty and steadfastness of God’s love no matter the situation with tracks like “The Promise Of Redemption And Hope” and “My Soul Sings” being cases in point. Hurley’s intricate finger-picking and gentle vocal delivery fit the bill perfectly and, whilst he and producer Gareth Matthews keep things pretty basic in terms of instrumentation, the fuller band feel of the psalm-like “Shout To The Sky” and a synth wash on the previously released single “Pebbles” help add some variety to a promising debut.”

To read the full review (CLICK HERE)

You can buy the CD version of the EP from this very website (CLICK HERE)

The EP is also available on every major music download and streaming site Worldwide, including iTunes, Amazon etc.

August 24, 2016 • No Comments

Plankton Records is pleased to announce that it will be working with the NINE BEATS Collective who are making a concept album exploring the ancient wisdom of ‘The Beatitudes’. Artists from UK, Uganda, Denmark & USA are collaborating on songs, instrumentals and spoken word to present ‘NINE BEATS’ as a counter-cultural narrative for our times. Amongst the musicians is the world renowned guitarist Caleb Quaye who has played and recorded with Elton John, Hall & Oates, Mick Jagger and many more. The project is being produced by Tony Bean, founder of MOBO winners 5AM.

“These words speak about another world being possible, another way of being human: in these turbulent times, could they actually offer us steps to a new reality?” asks the collective. “NINE BEATS explores these powerful notions – and presents them back to the culture around us through music and art.”

“The arts and theology and spiritual formation are really great conversation partners because… we’re invited to question the assumptions of the systems that we are part of… they point out that the emperor has no clothes on and then invoke the possibility of newness to come… there’s a longing inside of us for another world, something better than what’s here right now… the Beatitudes invite us in to that possibility and say there is a new way to be human, another world is possible”, said author and speaker Mark Scandrette.

To watch the current project video (CLICK HERE)

To visit the NINE BEATS collective Indiegogo website page (CLICK HERE)