sixstepsrecords/Sparrow Records artist-worshipper/songwriter/author and UK-native Matt Redman releases his album, Beautiful News, December 26. His first new studio album in over two years, Beautiful News, is a collection of songs of salvation and action oriented evangelism, taking the beautiful news to the broken world and bringing hope in a time of despair.

“In this world we hear so much news, and a lot of the time it' disturbing, dark or depressing,” says Redman. “But the gospel of Jesus Christ is all together different - it's refreshingly good news, beautiful news.”

Executive produced by Louie Giglio (Passion Conferences) and produced by Doubledutch (Robert Marvin and Josiah Bell, whose credits include Toby Mac, Mat Kearney), the album also features guest vocalist Delirious? frontman, Martin Smith. Redman and Smith sing together on the high-energy track “Take It to the Streets,” which Redman also co-wrote with Smith. The duo also co-wrote the song “All Over the World,” originally introduced at Passion 05. Another co-write on the album is “A Greater Song,” which Redman wrote with songwriter and worship leader Paul Baloche.

“Matt is a great man to be around as he loves God with a passion and it rubs off on you,” says Martin Smith. “To re-kindle our writing partnership was also a joy and an honor, it had been a good 10 years since we co-wrote some of the songs on his first record. Here we were again with the same boyishness and faith that music can change people’s lives. I pray these new songs are a part of that.”

The studio recording of the current, top 10-radio hit, “You Never Let Go,” is also featured on Beautiful News. Taking inspiration from Psalm 23, “You Never Let Go” was originally released as a live track from Passion: Everything Glorious. The song is about the importance of realizing that God is holding us and He never lets go, even in the midst of the hardest trials, pain and dark times. It is a reminder that there is “beautiful news” to rejoice in despite life’s troubles.

“I'd like listeners to find themselves engaging with God through this album, and finding themselves strengthened in their lives of praise,” says Redman. “Good worship songs have elements of 'inhale' and 'exhale'. In other words, they help us breathe in the awe-inspiring truths of who our God is, and then they propel us to a life of praise in response.”

Redman’s songwriting is synonymous with integrity and is impacting churches around the globe. Leading a generation of worshipers, his songs have been recorded by artists such as Michael W. Smith, Rebecca St. James, Tree 63, Kutless and Passion, among others. A key songwriter for today’s church, Matt Redman garnered a 2006 Gospel Music Association award for Praise & Worship Album of the Year (Blessed Be Your Name The Songs of Matt Redman Vol. 1) and currently has 15 songs on the CCLI charts, with eight songs populating the Top 100.

More information on Matt Redman can be found at www.mattredman.com, www.heartofworship.com, www.sixstepsrecords.com and www.EMICMG.com.

Founded in 2000 by Louie Giglio, sixstepsrecords (www.sixstepsrecords.com) is a young worship label and is a division of Choice Resources, the parent ministry for Passion Conferences. In addition to Matt Redman, sixstepsrecords’ artist-worshippers include Chris Tomlin, David Crowder Band and Charlie Hall. The label partners with Sparrow Records for marketing, sales and distribution operations.