If you saw Israel Houghton at Parachute a few years ago, you’ll know that he and his band make some of the most interesting worship music going. It’s heavy on the funk and R&B influence, at times settling into modern, Timberland territory, and at other times recalling old school Michael Jackson. Love God, Love People maintains a feel-good vibe throughout. It’s also unashamedly a musician’s album, almost to a fault. Don’t bank on recreating this in your local church service unless your worship team is full of professional session musicians. Occasionally, such as on “You Won’t Let Go,” Houghton sprints through an array of genre, key and time changes in a way that – while showing off his ample musical talent – doesn’t accomplish anything particularly meaningful. It’s a minor complaint though. Houghton’s strength is that he manages to show what is possible in worship music when one thinks outside the box. “Our God” is one of the best worship songs I’ve heard in ages, without a chiming U2 guitar in sight.

Three and a half stars out of five