This is the group’s third release and by far the best. The CD features 10 stunning tracks excellent produced and arranged by Monroe Jones. Definitely the best "live"/rock CD one could purchase. The lyrics of the songs are very strong. From this CD two #1 tracks have been credited with a few more to follow in 2000. The CD has also spent a few weeks in the CCM #1 position.

This being the third release from this Sparrow foursome. After the success of Maze of Grace and the #1 selling single from the popular television show "Touched by an Angle" one would have thought that Avalon was finished but they returned in 1999 with an excellent CD. One, which will still be reaching new heights in the new millenium. This CD has already produced 3 #1 singles and is capable of doing more in the coming year. A must buy for anyone who loves pop, catchy tunes and love to listen to male and female voices making harmony to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Fronted by Tiffany Arbuckle the group has truly developed in one of the fresh new founds the last few years. Candy Coated Water drops is their second release. The album feature songs out of the pen of Wayne Kirkpatrick and Dan Haseltine (Jars of Clay Fame). The duo has a heart for missions and love to spread the gospel. Telling the world of the love and mercy to be found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. Plump is true missionaries and the CD will be a hit for anyone who loves mild rock melodies sung by one of the best female voice in the business today. Candy Coated Water drops has already delivered two # 1 singles and is one of my suggested must buys for 2000.

"Brilliant" is the one way one can describe this offering by Carmen. Staying true to himself this CD is a live recording of some of the best known praise and worship songs over the last few years preformed as only Carmen can do. The CD has not done that well in the US but has been featured on the Maranatha Records (South Africa) top selling CD list for most of the year. The arrangement and engineering is excellent and I suggest this CD to anyone being passionate about serving and singing praises to the Lord Jesus Christ. This CD deserves its position as one of the top ten releases in South Africa in 1999.

The group’s EP released at the end of 1998 has really put Raze on the international stage of the gospel dance/pop scene. Raze quickly followed this release with the release of a full length CD called Power (1999). Within the first week of its release it jumped to the # 9 spot on the CCM top selling album chart. It is not often that a dance/rave group immerges from the US. Since this scene is dominated by British groups like WorldWide Message Tribe and the guys at Nu-Soul Records. Power consist of 13 thumping tracks of which "Always and Forever" and "Place in my Heart" have been featured on Private Christian Radio top ten most played songs. Power I most definitely recommend to any rave fanatic who loves hard-hitting songs speaking the truth about the love Jesus Christ shows us everyday and specially on Calvary. Mom and Dad I recommend this CD for your teenage son or daughter whom love to listen to rave music. Together with Plumb one of the best new acts to reach the shores of South Africa in 1999.

This CD still has to reach the Southern tip of Africa but is included in this top ten because of it value as a medium to praise the Lord Jesus Christ and because of the special concept used during recording and compiling. The CD is a live recording recorded at the Hard Rock Café at a special Rocketown Records promotion. The CD features Chris Rice, Ginny Owens, Michael W. Smith, Watermark and other artist featured on the label. As individuals, the artists featured on this CD/Record Label have really achieved a lot in 1998/1999. In my opinion Rocketown Records being one of the smaller record companies in the US has truly been blessed. The artists sing each other’s songs on the CD and everything is done spontaneously. Really a recommended buy for 2000 if you love live music. You will not stop praising the Lord once you have put this CD in your CD player.

The Katinas toured the US extensively the last few years, building an extensive following so it was no surprise that the group has done very well with their self-titled release in 1999. There was a big hip surrounding the release in June 1999 (South Africa) that at one stage there was not much happening except for having to wait for the Katinas release. The CD features 11 brilliant tunes ranging from pure worship to rap and R&B songs with inspiring lyrics. The five brothers have great voices complementing each other and being able to take the listener on a musical trip leaving everyone with a longing for more and more. Songs to listen out for on the album is "You are God" and "One more Time". These songs have reached the #1 and #2 positions on CCM Inspirational and CCM Adult Contemporary chart. This CD I do recommend to anyone who loves adult contemporary styled music and whom loves boy bands like Boyezone and Insinc. Go and get the Katinas if you still have not got it!

Delirious is a British group responsible for real alternative worship taking one to the throne room of God with truthful lyrics and brilliant guitar rhymes. It has been said that Delirious sound like U2 in their early years but with Delirious latest offering they have really managed to move away from this label. In the first week of release this album reached the # 1 position, a position held for a three weeks. Mezzamorphise stayed on CCM top ten for around 12 weeks giving Delirious their first # 1 CD in America. The CD consists of alternative (worshipful) ballets and hard kicking rock songs. Mezzamorphise is not a true worship CD but one where the members of the band does not compromise there believes in Christ just for the sake of the music. Songs on the album specifically deal with the fact that rock music itself is dead, having little power to give eternal life. In these songs the group proclaims that they will not make rock music their god but Jesus is still their King of Kings. This is a CD that old and new fans of Delirious will enjoy. The album is really fresh and each song on the CD sounds different. You will definitely not be bored with the CD and is highly recommended. One word of caution if you are expecting praise and worship true to the previous Delirious CD’s you might be disappointed.

The Kimmey sisters have done it once more with their third release. No Turning Back is a brilliant CD to get hold of if you are a lover of female voices doing R&B and Rap styled songs, sounding a lot like TLC. All through out this CD one realizes that the three sisters stand in a real relationship with Christ. They talk of the mercy they have found in Christ and how Jesus is able to open doors or windows every day. No Turning Back is the first R&B CD I purchased and loved. Normally Joe is the R&B expert and I leave this part of the show to him but this time I was able to introduce him to something that I knew he would love. No Turning Back feature 11 tracks with special appearances by The Katinas, Knowdaverbs and Grits on three songs. All the songs on the CD were written and produced by Out of Eden. The CD has two top ten hits, "River " and "Window" to its credit with still a couple which can follow in 2000. This CD is one of the best releases for 1999 thus deserve its position in the top ten. No Turning Back is available in stores across South Africa so next time when you visit your local Christian store have a listen. If not available take my word on it that you can order this CD with a clear conscience.

40 Acres is the second release from the award winning folk rock group Caedmon’s Call. A definite must buy for any music connoisseur. Caedmon’s Call has done well with their self-titled debut CD on collage radio in the US, but has been unable to really crack it in South Africa. With 40 Acres I think they might be able to make it this time round. The CD has sold around 40 000 copies in its first few weeks of release in the US and has been featured on the CCM album charts for close to 40 weeks. There is 13 tracks featured on the new album; six written by Derek Webb and six written by Aaron Tate with one cover. This is a dynamic group and special in many ways having 3 members in the group taking turns to take lead vocals and 2 writers, writing from different prospectives. The biggest hit from the CD is "Thankful" a real catchy tune. Dealing with the fact that we as Christians must be thankful for what we are, not being able to do everything on our own having to relay on the mercy and help received from Christ. An album that not everyone would enjoy equally but definitely one of the best CD releases in South Africa for 1999.

The mentioned review is the opinion of the writer and the top ten has been taken from a list of CDs distributed and marketed in South Africa during 1999 until the end of November. The top ten does not included compellations and CDs released in November since these CDs will be regarded as possible contenders for 2000.

These CDs are already available or might be available in 2000. The CDs need to be mentioned because of their brilliance and might be doing very well in the future. Possible top 10 contenders at the end of 2000