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PARACHUTE BAND --- Biography Christened Aotearoa - The Land of the Long White Cloud, by the legendary Polynesian explorer, Kupe, more than a thousand years ago, the South Pacific island nation of New Zealand is blessed with a spectacularly diverse landscape that includes vast, snow-capped mountain chains, steaming volcanoes spouting red-hot lava, sweeping white-sand coastlines enveloped by azure-blue pacific waves, deeply indented fiords and lush, jungle-green rainforests. That diversity is mirrored in the country's multi-cultural population, and seeps into every facet of Kiwi life. It should come as no surprise that diverse is the adjective of choice to describe Glorious, the latest release from the New Zealand-based Parachute Band. From the thoroughly urban-infused opener, "So Sing," through powerful, modern worship ballads like "Almighty God "and "High Above," to the peace-evoking, High-Church inspired aria, "King of Love," Parachute Band, in typical New Zealand fashion, refuses to be pre-packaged, pre-labeled, and neatly tucked away in a pre-determined category. Instead, Music Director Wayne Huirua melds American, European, British and indigenous Maori influences together in a crucible of molten worship that burns with a white-hot intensity. "God You Are Good" declares the attributes of God while forging a solid alloy of searing salsa, shot through with American urban sensibilities. Island percussions punctuate Parachute Band's gently joyful declaration that we are "Forgiven." Gospel influences abound on the prayerful "All That I Need," and the Brit-pop title cut will have fans dancing in the aisle. Originally birthed from a desire to capture the amazing worship music that was rising from a country where less than 7% of the population profess Christ, Parachute Band is impacting not only their native land, but the world. From their international tours and the wildly popular Parachute Extreme Music Festival, which last year drew more than 23,000 fans (not bad for a country that is not much bigger than Colorado), to their dedication to providing superb worship resources, Parachute Band remains steadfast in its calling - to see lives transformed through one-on-one encounters with Christ. "Church-goers in New Zealand are getting passionate about Jesus," declares Worship Leader/singer/songwriter, Libby Huirua. "They are getting passionate about reality in their relationship with Him. This is a hunger and thirst after worshipping Him. I love to see people responding to God in that atmosphere of worship, and seeing them open up to Him. His touch on their lives is like watching a miracle take place before you." After having achieved Gold Record status on each of their five previous releases in their native New Zealand, and with three New Zealand Music Awards for Gospel Album of the Year, Parachute Band can rightly claim its place as a forerunner of the contemporary worship movement that is washing over the world. Glorious continues their tradition of portraying worship as a verb - a living, breathing, "doing" word. Whether ministering in a "church" environment, an outdoor festival, or an intimate coffeehouse setting, when Parachute Band plays, it is not a concert - it is an open invitation to draw closer to Jesus. Parachute Band is: Libby Huirua - Worship Leader/Lead Vocals Chris de Jong - Vocals/Keyboards Wayne Huirua - Music Director/Vocals/Lead Guitars Check out the artist's website: http://www.worshipextreme.com Track List: 1. So Sing 2. Almighty 3. High Above 4. Forgiven 5. Glorious 6. Consume Me 7. For The Honour 8. All That I Need 9. Hold Me Near 10. King Of Love 11. God You Are Good Suggested CDs:Other Genres: |