Ashmont Hill – The Maze

Ashmont Hill

Axiom Records

Straight out of Boston’s Jubilee Christian Church, the family ensemble known as Ashmont Hill describes itself as a “diverse group that knows no musical boundaries.”  This mission is certainly made manifest on the group’s third album, The Maze, released on August 20. 

Like early Israel & New Breed, Ashmont Hill is a peg that doesn’t fit squarely in CCM, gospel, or P&W.  Instead, the foursome mixes each of these musical colors onto an atmospheric acoustic canvas.  The Mazeis therefore a difficult to define musical mélange, but the end result is beautifully, skillfully, and earnestly rendered songs about praise, worship, and eternal gratitude.

While the group’s harmonies are crisp and airy, the lead vocals of sisters Deborah Bullock and April Joy Thompson steal the show.  Deborah’s lead on “Fill This Temple” is lullaby-like, her breathy purr evocative of a young Maire Brennan of Clannad.  On a rearrangement of “Amazing Grace,” April’s soothing voice embraces the listener like a warm hug after a difficult day.  Either sister could easily become a solo artist.

The Maze is an impressive release expertly produced by Zenzo Matoga.  On it, Ashmont Hill provides an aural glimpse of the potential future direction of Christian music: multicultural, musically diverse, unshackled by label, and as limitless as the horizon.

Picks: “Fill This Temple,” “Ruined.”