Genre: Pop/Rock, Worship
For fans of: Delirious, Chris Tomlin, Sonicflood, Tree63
Label: sixsteps/EMI

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Every album has a starting point, a beginning spark. Sometimes it's set off by a series of events that form into a theme; sometimes the catalyst is a single conversation. For Matt Redman, the UK worship leader and songwriter, the elements that fueled what's arguably his most passionate set of new songs ever were two little words scribbled in his notebook.

Beautiful News.

The words have been Redman's constant reaction to all the "dark, disturbing, depressing news" that fills our TV screens on a daily basis, he says—because the gospel of Christ is about imparting news that's altogether different. Where there's darkness in the world, Jesus brings light; where there's depression, Jesus offers peace; where there's despair, Jesus offers hope. "It's truly 'beautiful news'—which is a phrase that I'd had in my songwriting notes for a little while," Redman reveals.

Knowing he may have latched onto the seeds of a memorable song—as well as an overall fresh way of singing about Jesus' message to both Christians and those who haven't yet embraced the faith—Redman knew that Beautiful News was the title of the whole record.

Indeed creativity—the prolific, highly energetic sort—is one of Redman's many strong suits. Emerging from the now legendary U.K. worship scene of the mid-1990s, Redman's songs have become a veritable worship resource over the last decade for countless churches all over the world. Songs such as "Blessed Be Your Name" (which garnered him a 2005 Gospel Music Association award for Worship Song of the Year), "The Heart of Worship," and "Better Is One Day" are beloved and have landed high atop the CCLI charts. Artists as diverse as Michael W. Smith, Kutless, and Rebecca St. James—to name but a few—have covered his songs. He's even penned several books on worship, which further expand Redman's ever-growing popularity in the vast community of committed worshipers and worship leaders.

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