Description
The self-titled debut album by the British progressive folk group Meet Jesus Music was released on ECHO in 1974. The album was recorded by Helmut Kaufmann at his ECHO Studios (which was to become ICC Studios) in Eastbourne, England; with the band’s keyboard player Keith Routledge producing. (“An ECHO recording produced by Evangelical Communications Home and Overseas.”) Meet Jesus Music was one of the few British band back in the day that actually did tour the US.
In the ’70s one of the pioneering Christian music bands in the UK were Meet Jesus Music. Through constant gigging and two much praised albums, a self-titled album (1974) and Gold (1976), MJM’s blend of jazz-tinged folk gained them a substantial church following.
Trivia: In the mid-1960s German-born Helmut Kaufmann began ECHO (Evangelical Communications Home and Overseas) with business partner Don Feltham. Around 1973 ECHO was folded and a new registered charity ICC (International Christian Communications) took its place with a studio housed in old stables outside of Eastbourne, England. In the beginning the studio was really Heath Robinson, little more than a semi-domestic four-track machine. The first album recorded at ICC was actually the debut album by Meet Jesus Music. (The first track on the album, “Jehovah Shalom” written by Ken & Pam Smith, was recorded on a 4-track TEAC by Helmut Kaufmann at ICC Studios Eastbourne in the Summer of 1973.) The Meet Jesus Music album led John Pac of Parchment fame (and later A&R for Kingsway Music) to book the studio, asking John Pantry to come and produce some Christian bands. ICC later invested in an eight-track machine. Gradually as the ’70s rolled on ICC became known as the place to record Christian music in the UK, in fact often it seemed the only place to record. By the late 70s the studio actually turned out 60 albums a year.
If I were giving ratings in this guide then Britain’s Meet Jesus Music would get a solid five stars for their debut. This is clearly a talented bunch, especially Keith Routledge’s dazzling piano and Tony Taylor’s percussion displays. Their sound is definitely unique and hard to peg – I’d say a lightly progressive brand of folk-rock with some jazz leanings. Take the opener «Jehovah Shalom», the strongest track in the set – an enchanting progressive rock masterpiece that begins with MJM’s delicate haunting male/female harmonies (one of their distinctive trademarks), segueing into hard rock guitar before bursting into jazzy piano and drum interplay ala Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Some lovely recorder graces the ethereal minor-key folk-rock of «Melchizedek», as well as «Where Jesus Is», a moody shimmering ten-minute track that includes a powerful extended drum solo. «The Truth, The Life, The Way» and «The King Of Love» are more in the style of soft lounge/jazz with gentle trombone leads (I know it sounds schlocky on paper but believe me, these songs are brimming with charm). Nifty slide guitar action and boogie-woogie piano can be found spicing up «Walk In The Spirit», while «Do You Know Him» makes for a classy entree of summery melodic pop. Every cut is strong and when they’re not dreamy and atmospheric then they’re upbeat and packed with joy. Absolutely captivating. [Ken Scott, The Archivist]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Jehovah Shalom” – 6:19
A2. “The Truth, The Life, The Way” – 4:31
A3. “Melchizedek” – 3:22
A4. “The King Of Love” – 3:07
A5. “Walk In The Spirit” – 3:25
Side Two
B1. “Where Jesus Is” – 10:17
B2. “Do You Know Him” – 3:19
B3. “My Peace” – 2:40
B4. “He Will Return Again” – 4:25
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Echo Records. “Jehovah Shalom” is available at Bandcamp: http://meetjesusmusic.bandcamp.com/releases
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CREDITS. Produced by Keith Routledge. Recorded at ECHO Studios, Eastbourne, UK. Engineered by Helmut Kaufmann. ECR 002.
Musicians: Angie Routledge (Vocals), Lou Hayles (Vocals, Recorder), Ken Smith (Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Trombone), Keith Routledge (Piano), Dave Gillard (Lead Guitar, Slide Guitar, Acoustic Guitar), Trevor Stevens (Bass), Tony Taylor (Drums).
Meet Jesus Music (1972-1981)
1972 – 76
Keith and Angie Routledge started the band in 1972. The line-up was Keith on piano with vocals by Angie, Lou Hayles and Ken Smith. Dave Gillard, guitars, Geoff Gillard, bass, and Tony Taylor, drums. Richard Willetts was the sound engineer, later joined by Mike Waller. John Lloyd did the lighting and Robbie Botwright was the band’s ‘Roadie’. Over the next decade MJM, as the band became known, gave many concerts of their original music, bringing the Gospel message into schools, colleges, church and prison situations. Eric Delve was frequently a guest speaker on these occasions. The band’s first concert was at St. Paul’s Church, Battersea Rise, in the Summer of ’72, where they were the warm-up band for Larry Norman at an event organised by Vic Ramsey. This was followed by taking part in an open air ‘Jesus Festival’ concert on Clapham Common, at Wembley Arena with US ‘Jesus People’ leader Arthur Blessitt, and at a festival in Southwark Cathedral. In 1973, Don Feltham of ECHO (later ICC) studios in Eastbourne invited the band to record their first album ‘Meet Jesus Music’, which was recorded on a four-track TEAC tape recorder by Helmut Kaufmann. Trevor Stevens played bass on the recording. Our second album, ‘Gold’ was recorded for MGO’s Dovetail label in 1975, and produced by John Pantry at Grosvenor Studios, Birmingham. Simon Dennis had by now joined the band and played bass on the second album. MJM were regular guests on BBC Radio London’s Gospel Music programme ‘Soundout’, hosted by Roger Hurrell, and performed ‘live’ on Capital Radio for Louis Alexander. They appeared in ‘See You Sunday’ on BBC TV and also in a number of programmes for Southern TV. In January 1976 the band took part in MGO’s musical extravaganza ‘Welcome to the family’ at the Royal Albert Hall.1976 – 78
By the end of 1976, the personnel of the band had changed, as Lou, Ken and Tony moved on to work on their own respective projects. Simon and Alison Dennis joined Angie on vocals, with Simon also playing bass. Dave (guitars) and Keith (piano) were joined by Bob McKay on saxes and flute with Julian (Jay) Sullivan on drums. While visiting the UK, Jimmy Snow, from Evangel Temple in Nashville, heard the band and invited us to his church, so a tour of the US was organised for the Summer of 1977. Ten adults and seven children flew by Laker Airways to America. On the first part of the tour, organised by Dave and Dana Price, the band performed at various venues in Delaware, Maryland, Washington, Pennsylvania and at Opryland in Nashville, as guests on Jimmy Snow’s ‘Grand Ole Opry Gospel Time’. From Nashville the band travelled to Costa Mesa, California, to play at Calvary Chapel before setting out on the ‘Maranatha’ tour, performing almost nightly for the next three weeks along the West Coast to Vancouver, Canada.1978 – 80
In 1978 there was another personnel change and Shiobain Corsie, Tim Moyler and Steve Buckley came in with Angie on vocals. Keith, Dave and Bob were joined by Alan Barker on drums, Pete Biggs on bass and Matthew Gillard on percussion. During this period the band recorded the 12” single ‘You’d Be Amazed/Just One Touch’, produced by Graeme Quinton-Jones at Oakwood Studios, Herne Bay, Kent.MJM headlined at Greenbelt in 1979, the line-up being: Angie Routledge, Shiobain Corsie, Tim Moyler and Steve Buckley – Vocals; Dave Gillard – Lead guitar, Pete Biggs – Bass guitar, Keith Routledge – Keyboard, Jay Sullivan – Drums, Matthew Gillard – Congas, Bob McKay – Sax/Flute, Emma Routledge – Sax/Flute, Tony Hepworth – Trumpet/Flugel horn, Denis Blackham – Sound Engineer. Later that year they took part in a series of evangelistic concerts in The Hague, Holland, with singer and evangelist Willy Hanssen.
MJM The Singles
For their appearance at Greenbelt the band released a 12” single ‘You’d Be Amazed’ with ‘Just One Touch’ featuring Shiobain Corsie and produced by Graeme Quinton-Jones at Oakwood Studios. Also produced by Graeme in 1980 was the song ‘Just A Little While’, which was entered by music publisher Terry Noon for the Eurovision Song Contest. In 1981 Denis Blackham recorded and produced the songs ‘Look Up’ and ‘Nothing In The World’ at his London studio. Meet Jesus Music’s farewell concert took place in Manchester in the Summer of 1981.[ In 2011 Shiobain independently released a solo single entitled “In Your Love”. ]
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