Matin 3: Turn

Matin is a service of morning prayer. Musician Jess Ray has used that term to name a series of meditative albums that she recorded between first light and dawn. The latest, Turn, begins with a sparse rendition of “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” and seamlessly segues into a series of original songs. “I Need You,” is a beautiful expression of our need for God, a prayer for him to come to our aid, and an expression of assurance that Jesus hears us and comes to us.

While there are seven songs on this short album (only 27 minutes long), they all use the same sparse instrumentation and were either performed together or edited in such a way that it comes across like a single performance. They all build on a similar theme of our need for God’s grace and mercy. Acoustic guitar, keyboard, and Ray’s rich alto voice give these songs an airy quality that supports the texts and will cause you to stop what you’re doing and listen.

Just as the album began with a traditional hymn, it ends with “Power in the Blood,” “Nothing but the Blood,” and a nearly ambient instrumental coda. Matin 3: Turn is more than just a collection of songs. It is a beautiful album that will encourage you to meditate on God’s word and reflect on your relationship with him. (Technicolor Jesus Publishing)