Beyond a Shadow is my first release into the United States. I signed a deal back in 1998 with now defunked Rhythm House Records who were then a young upstart record label out of San Antonio New Mexico.  I had just released Romantics and Mystics in Canada but we were warned that the conservative nature of the Christian Bookstores in the US would react negatively and unsupportively to a word like ‘mystics’ in an album title. Rhythm House suggested we compile the best of my first four albums into one, releasing it as a premier album in the US and as a "best of" album in Canada - and Beyond a Shadow was born.

The album did ok in the US considering that Rhythm House was new and I was unknown. Wings of an Eagle became a bit of a hit on Inspirational Radio as did Here by the Water and Psalm 40. But it soon became evident that to succeed in the market place in the States required commitment to a whole set of values and sacrifices I was simply resitent to. I think Rhythm House found me frustrating - they really were a great bunch.  But Dave and I soon learned just how ‘Canadian’ we were - and that was a bit of a liability if we expected the kind of success that a Label recording should strive for. I think  we eventually realized we had no business in that  millieu unless we were able to more fully embrace and support the whole Christian Music machinery. 

We released one more recording with Rhythm House a year later. In Canada it was a live album called Steve Bell Band in Concert.   Rhythm House re-named and re-packaged it in the States as Each Rare Moment which performed relatively poorly in the US. Our relationship with Rhythm House lost energy and we eventually (and aimably) pulled away. 

Since that time, Dave and I have fully settled into the idea of remaining more of a small, independent, grass-roots company. There is a certain level of success that is probably unnatainable this way - but it suites us.  We are both very happy for the experience and loved the folks we met.

Reviewed by Mike Rimmer / Cross Rhythms UK / April 1, 1999

After selling a bucket load of albums independently in Canada, it’s about time that Steve Bell received a wider distribution for his inspirational brand of acoustic pop and here it is. A compilation of his finest moments designed to launch him into the American marketplace. For those of us who discovered his music through UCB Europe airplay, some of this stuff is familiar but it’s just great having it all on one CD! From the hit worship song "Psalm 40" through the Paul Simonesque melodies of how "How Long" and the folky vibes of "Drumheller Circle" or the stacked harmony vocals of "Ride On King Jesus", this compilation gives you the story so far from Steve Bell. As you’d expect from this kind of affair, some of the production values waver slightly on the older material but one thing shines out from all of this, Steve Bell has talent and a pure heart to communicate Christ. It’s amazing he’s comes this far without wider coverage and to choose the small but perfectly formed Rhythms House Records is a shrewd move. Just wait for this to introduce him to a new audience and then expect some new material!

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