Singer/songwriter Mary-Kathryn is gearing up for the release of her fourth album, Dreams & Visions, releasing November 27th, on Rhythm House Records. With Dreams & Visions, Mary-Kathryn blends elements of soft pop, rock and folk with world music influences, painting word pictures on an aural canvas with exotic instrumentation, adroit production and lyrics that are nothing short of God-inspired. But as Billboard Magazine so aptly put it, “the most affecting instrument is Mary-Kathryn’s lovely voice.”

While Dreams & Visions is infused with blatantly Christian content that is reflective of Mary-Kathryn’s deeply held faith, the album is finding remarkable acceptance in the Adult Eclectic marketplace as well; a market Mary-Kathryn feels both compelled to go to and comfortable walking in. “After 12 years of ministering in the church, I really felt like a major change was coming,” she explains. “I would never go in this direction unless I knew God was leading me, but He has given me such favour with people who are not Christians, but who are seeking.”

Recurring themes of love, peace, faith, prayer and worship permeate the album. Wailing Wall is a classic example of Mary-Kathryn’s singular ability to combine earthy instrumentation with ethereal vocals to facilitate a spiritual encounter. Drawing on her spiritual heritage, Mary-Kathryn re-imagines The Children’s Hymn, better known as My Father’s World, a hymn she sang regularly as a child growing up in Sunday School. Psalm 91 incorporates the imagery of King David to describe the protective nature of God and features evocative background vocals by Finnish vocal group Fire 4U. In Your Time is a gentle, prophetic exhortation of encouragement. Incense of Praise, with its sultry, Middle Eastern hook and lavishly extravagant lyrics, compels freedom in worship, while Dreamers is a heart’s cry for revelation.

In addition to writing or co-writing most of the songs on Dreams & Visions, Mary-Kathryn also assumed co-producer responsibilities along with Paul Buono (Cherie Adams, Kelly Minter). Together Mary-Kathryn and Buono called on the world-class talents of Hugh Marsh (Dan Fogelberg, Bruce Cockburn) on violin, Fergus Marsh (Amy Grant, Pierce Pettis, Steve Bell) on Chapman Stick and bass, Tony Morra (Van-Zant, Selah) on drums and percussion, and the angelic voices of Fire 4U. Tony Palacios (Guardian, Michael W. Smith, Building 429) mixed the project at the world-famous Sound Kitchen.

Mary-Kathryn’s Dreams & Visions will be available at Canadian Christian retailer next Tuesday. For more information on Mary-Kathryn and her new album, Dreams & Visions, visit her YMZ artist page.