Matt Gilman

Awaken Love
Forerunner Music

Worship leader Matt Gilman’s debut CD “Awaken Love” is the perfect vehicle for Gilman’s amazing tenor voice. Close your eyes and you could easily visualize any of the great voices of ’80s rock: Steve Perry, Robert Plant or Brian May. Yep, he’s that good. Certainly his style is vastly different from any of those guys, but man, that voice.

Gilman honed his worship-leading skills and his voice at the International House of Prayer, Kansas City, and the trance-y, easy worship style of the record comes from that training. While this is not a mainstream Christian music record, Gilman’s excellent songwriting is buoyed by understated musicianship and clean production values. All that and Gilman’s voice — did I mention the voice? — makes for a very satisfying first effort.

Gilman has created a stunning musical and lyrical palette with “Awaken Love.” Do yourself a favor and give it a listen.