Global Warming [Europa]: An International New Music Sampler

Description

Global Warming ‎[Europa], sub-titled An International New Music Sampler, is a multi-artist compilation released on Sparrow Records in 1996, distributed by Chordant Distribution Group in the US. Also marketed and distributed in Europe by Alliance Music.

Featuring three tracks each by the following European bands/artists: What About? (Norway), Ralph Van Manen Band (The Netherlands), Edward Negussie (Sweden), Split Level (Irland), and The World Wide Message Tribe (England).

Yes, the world is getting smaller: music for Christian citizens of the Global Village. ‘Europa’ is a sampler disc featuring Christian musicians from five Northern Nations of Europe. These bands are by no means the first or only bands to come out of these particular countries; they’re just currently the freshest crop. Many of these acts are new to the American listener, save for the World Wide Message Tribe. All tracks are taken from full album releases which may or may not be available here in the States.

Norway’s What About? kicks off the disc with a trio of pop tunes reminiscent of Edin-Adahl. They’re pleasant enough, but no new trails are blazed.

The Ralph Van Manen Band leans more in the direction of Heartland Rock… of The Netherlands that is, which would be somewhere in the vicinity of, say, Zeist. «I Will Follow» and «Tomorrow’s Yesterday» benefit from a strong rhythm section and Strat leads bathed in arena-reverb. It’s hearty fare, like a big bowl of canned vegetable beef soup; it’s not gourmet quality, but tasty nonetheless.

Edward Negussie’s R&B sounds good, but lyrically something may have been lost in the translation from Swedish to English: “Peaches and cream will run out after a while/ Is that the itch I see looking me in the eye,” (from «Love is the Right Thing»). The material is not terribly original, but it might satisfy a hankerin’ for some smooth, blue-eyed soul.

Of all the groups, Ireland’s Split Level draws the most context from their country of origin. The context comes out in the lyrics, reflecting the tensions which have plagued Northern Ireland for years: “See that girl/ That lonely girl/ Standing with that little child/ She was married to a soldier/ Someone came and shot him down,” (from «Why»). The power-trio slams out hooky rock tunes that manage to sound tough without sounding dark.

World Wide Message Tribe is arguably the disc’s best known contributor. Over the last few years, they have explored a sound that has married house/dance rhythms to strong melodic hooks and strong Christian lyrics. «The Year of the Lord’s Favor» is quintessential Tribe and will give the listener a good idea of what to expect from the group’s other albums.

Overall, the songs are quite conventional within their respective genres, making for a fairly safe, if predictable, listening experience. In a way, the whole concept of the disc begs a question: Where are the Christian groups from Tierra Del Fuego? [Scott Thunder, CCM, May 1996]

What About? (Norway), Ralph Van Manen Band (Netherlands), Edward Negussie (Sweden), Split Level (Ireland) and World Wide Message Tribe (England) contribute three songs each. This is Christian Eurovision on one album – no surprises as Ireland run away with it yet again! The album begins rather tamely with What About?’s contribution, followed later by fellow Scandinavian Edward Negussie. Their soul/pop style could only be described as typical Scandinavian popular music. Ralph Van Manen’s tracks (the first, «I Will Follow», a cover of the Martyn Joseph song) are of a high standard. This rock band is one to watch out for, as they are without doubt one of the best on this album with their brilliant lyrics and music. Split Level’s contributions («Why», «Nicholas Says» and «Pocket Of Change») really outshine the rest of the album – gutsy rock with Adrian Thompson in impassioned form. Then we have WWMT’s dance style. Remixes of Derek Bond’s «Touch My Life» and old favourite «Be Still» along with one of their own are a brilliant end to the album. If you’ve just discovered CCM or you’re interested in CCM stars from the continent, then this compilation may be for you. [Jayne Butler, Cross Rhythms, August 1996]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/europa/715552139)

CD tracklist:

01. What About? – Every Now And Then – 3:18
02. What About? – I Found A Treasure – 2:34
03. What About? – Seed Of Joy – 4:09
04. Ralph Van Manen Band – I Will Follow – 3:22
05. Ralph Van Manen Band – Stay Close – 4:04
06. Ralph Van Manen Band – Tomorrow’s Yesterdays – 3:59
07. Edward Negussie – Love Is The Right Thing – 3:59
08. Edward Negussie – Father To Son – 5:40
09. Edward Negussie – I Believe In You – 4:45
10. Split Level – Why – 5:03
11. Split Level – Nicholas Says – 2:57
12. Split Level – Pocket Of Change – 3:48
13. The World Wide Message Tribe – The Year Of The Lord’s Favour – 4:05
14. The World Wide Message Tribe – Touch My Life – 5:18
15. The World Wide Message Tribe – Be Still – 3:44

---

An advertisement for the multi-artist sampler album Global Warming ‎(Europa) was featured in the April 1996 issue of CCM Magazine.

---