Meet Charmaine: a seventeen year old girl from Australia with a huge heart for God. Ironically, this young solo artist has sung back up for Rebecca St. James at her concerts before taking a shot at a career of her own. Her debut record All About Jesus may firmly set her in the footsteps of Rebecca herself as her easy listening pop/rock worship is bound to catch on.

The album opens with "I Love You Lord," an upbeat track reminiscent of something you might hear from St. James' Pray album. Charmaine's vocals are confident and it's hard to believe this is her first album. Her cover of the worship favorite "All In All" has a fresh mature sound to it as the electronic power pop beat breathes new life into the tune. "Only You" often sounds a lot like St. James but Charmaine still remains to grasp her own identity.

The ballad "Falling On My Knees" has the strength and tenderness that Jaci Velasquez has become known for while Charmaine uses the upbeat sounds of "All About You" to remember the glory of our Savior. "Acceptable" tosses a synth-heavy curveball stylistically reminiscent of RSJ's Transform record and is her stab at the ever-popular power pop a lot of young teens can't seem to get enough of these days. "Give You All My Love" changes things up once again, continuing the power pop approach but in a more ZOEgirl fashion. "You Found Me" rounds out the ten-track set with a passionate and catchy worshipful tune.

All About Jesus is an impressive debut from an up and coming solo artist. With a sound especially appealing to the younger female crowd, Charmaine has a promising start. She's already proving she's looking at a career that deserves close attention.

- Review date: 8/10/02, written by John DiBiase