Dave Markee Band 06 Don't Turn Away (1985)

This album was recorded in the early to mid-80's by a Christian in the Soviet Union named Valeri Barinov. Barinov and his bandmates had a very difficult time recording this album, and even a difficult time rehearsing--for the KGB was keeping tabs on Barinov and they had to elude the KGB just to get together to rehearse. The purpose of this album was to try to spread the Christian gospel to youth in the Soviet Union (and the lyrics are all sung in Russian). The album was recorded in secret and somehow was smuggled out of the Soviet Union. Shortly thereafter, Barinov and another of his bandmates were arrested and sentenced to prison. Barinov himself was sentenced to two and a half years of labor in the Soviet gulag, and had a heart attack shortly thereafter. The copy of this recording that was smuggled out reached the hands of CCM pop singer Scott Wesley Brown, who spent much of the 80's trying to promote contemporary forms of Christian music in nations around the world through his organization I CARE Ministries. Scott Wesley Brown released this album in the United States through I CARE Ministries. It was available only through mail order and only a small number of copies were sold. Do not be misled by the fact that Scott Wesley Brown was responsible for this album's release--this is not in the same musical vein as Brown's middle-of-the-road Christian pop. This is freaky, edgy stuff, with killer guitar parts and haunting female vocals mixed with liturgical worship. It's especially avant garde when placed against other Christian albums that were recorded in the US at the same time, during the early to mid-80's. Mark Allan Powell's "Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music" is probably on the right track when it states that this album "recalls Pink Floyd at moments while also venturing into techno-pop."

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Valeri
• Barinov