You Deliver Me

Artist: Selah
Label: Curb Records
Genre: Pop, Contemporary, Praise & Worship

By Debra Akins for GospelMusicChannel.com

You Deliver Me, the seventh recording from Dove Award-winning trio Selah took more than three years to land, and as a result is one of the group's most personal projects to date. Produced in part by Bernie Herms (Natalie Grant, NewSong), Jason Kyle, and group members Todd Smith and Allan Hall, the new album is the first full-length project recorded with newest member Amy Perry, who seems to have fit in quite comfortably with Smith and Hall - both musically and relationally. Her clear, full-timbred vocals are a great match with Smith's powerful, belt-it-out-of-the-park singing style. Add in Hall's sweeping piano arrangements and the trio's rich harmonies, and the group has created yet another perfect formula for success.

The album is stocked with 15 tracks that include inspired renditions of hymns and worship songs such as "Into My Heart/Fairest Lord Jesus," "How Deep The Father's Love For Us," "My Jesus I Love Thee," "I Surrender All," a gospel-infused "Glory To His Name," and the African-influenced "I Have Decided." Other album highlights include the inspirational title cut, which builds to a powerful crescendo, along with the radio-friendly "Hosanna" and "Unredeemed," (both bear the signature power-pop polish of producer Herms) the latter of which showcases Smith and Perry at their absolute vocal best.

You Deliver Me ends with the emotional "I Will Carry You (Audrey's Song)," a song co-penned by Smith and his wife Angie, along with fellow songwriter Christa Wells. The song is a tribute to the Smith's fourth daughter, Audrey Caroline Smith, who lived for only two hours after she was born last year, an event that turned into a life-changing season for the Smith family and for Selah. Selah performed the song at Audrey's funeral, and hope that the telling of Audrey's story will give her life weight and purpose, along with bringing hope to those who hear it. It is a fitting end to an inspired CD by a gifted group of artists.