With artistic lyrics and a sound thats like a drive down a California highway, Clay House makes a right turn with their debut release, TAKE ME on N*Soul Records. Paul Dexter and David Snow say their groove based, European influenced, pop sound was originally inspired by Level 42, a British band popular in the '80s. On TAKE ME they took a vintage approach to production, using a Fender Rhodes, Hammond B-3 Organ, and an added amount of acoustic guitar. "There's definitely a 70's influence," says Dexter, "And blended in with the technology of the 90's, it kind of polishes it out." Of the soulful groove element, he says, "It's something that we are really into, especially since I play bass and Dave plays drums. We're a very rhythm oriented band." Additionally, the two share lead and backing vocals, as well as songwriting, even though Dexter, 28, mainly handles keyboards and produces, while Snow, 26, concentrates on lyric writing. The name Clay House relates to one's constantly being shaped into Christ's image and also refers to the frailty of mankind. It was inspired by the scripture, Job 4:19, "How much more those who live in houses of clay, whose foundations are in the dust, who are crushed more readily than a moth!" Lyrically, Clay House reflects this poetic perspective, Dexter explains, "We're speaking to the body of Christ, but even then we do it in a lot of pictures, like Christ used parables." Clay House was formed in 1989, but these two California natives have presented the Gospel together, through music, for more than ten years. While Snow started out playing drums in his Jr. High marching band, Dexter grew up playing guitar with his parent's prison ministry. Now Dexter owns and operates his own recording studio, and Snow leads bible studies and discipleship groups in Campus Crusade for Christ's Student Venture Program. "Whether it's Bible studies or concerts, My life is dedicated to ministry," Snow says, "The music is just an extension of what I already do." The release of TAKE ME marks a new direction for N*Soul Records as they make their way beyond dance and techno sounds, into the realm of alternative pop.

"Take Me" (Written by P. Dexter and D. Snow) Dont keep Your touch I need so much Not a moment that Your love will fade away From black and white You changed my life Adding color to my lonely shade of gray Perfect color to my shade of gray And I am changing now With each move of Your hand Each Day the picture grows more clear Take Me a little further Oh wont You make me Into the one I long to be Your perfect masterpiece Dont frame this picture till Your works complete Inside my mind All seemed so fine Was an imitation I began to see When You showed me all that I could be The colors changing then With each move of your hand Each day the picture grew more clear CHORUS You take me further To the one I long to be A little further Take me further to the man that I want to be CHORUS ©1995 Mr. Groove Music / Rampant Sampling (ASCAP) ================================================= "Master Painter" Written by P. Dexter, D. Snow and P. Hughey The sun is lifted over lofty mountain peaks Shadows race to hide against the hills Meadows glisten as they drink the morning dew Music from the tree tops the air it fills Flowers in the fields Birds of the air None of them are lacking There is one who cares Theres got to be a master painter Painting on His canvas of love Theres got to be a master painter Painting in heaven above The sun falls slowly to a dark and distant blue Night winds set the waves against the shore Mirror up above reflects the future day Clouds they shimmer brightly while in the sky they soar Coral of the deep Swirl of the waves All within His power All to Him behave CHORUS All the different people, not one of them the same Giving true existence, to His Holy name Shaped by His hand Born of His breath New life is given His sacrifice His death Theres got to be a master painter Painting on His canvas of love Theres got to be a master painter Painting in Heaven above ©1995 Mr. Groove Music / Rampant Sampling (ASCAP) ================================================= "Tears For Your Soul" Written by P. Dexter and D. Snow Easter morning eighty-nine When you finally left the house and home After twenty-three years of married life It was time for you to be alone Four or Five years latter on And I never claimed to understand No doubt I love you Youčve always been a stubborn man Crying these tears, tears for your soul Hoping and praying That some day youll know what I know These tears pour from my heart for your soul I sit and watch you chase the wind A sailor on the worldly seas Sailing against the tides of time Seeking after those that please CHORUS I've seen the tears Theyre falling from your youngests eyes When she speaks of hear father Not going to heaven And I feel the pain every night When I sit with my wife beside me We pray for your soul CHORUS I know that one day Youll know what I know ©1995 Mr. Groove Music / Rampant Sampling (ASCAP)

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NSD 9923 ©1995 N*Soul Records