Exodus is a Christian compilation worship album released on May 16, 1998 by Rocketown Records and, at the time, distributed by Word Entertainment but has since been distributed by Provident Music Group. Exodus is considered a contemporary worship project helmed by Michael W. Smith, who not only produced the entire album but got involved in songwriting and performing instruments. The album's highlights include Smith's cover of Rich Mullins' "I See You," a song he would cover again on his second worship album Worship Again.
The other highlight is Christian rock band Third Day's cover of Smith's "Agnus Dei." Smith first recorded the song on his 1990 album Go West Young Man. Third Day's version has been ranked by CCM Magazine at number 16 in their 2006 book The 100 Greatest Songs in Christian Music. Exodus peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart. In 1999, the album won the Dove Award for Special Event Album of the Year, given to the participating artists and Smith as producer at the 30th GMA Dove Awards. A music video was made for the track "Nothin'" performed by Rocketown label artist and songwriter Chris Rice.
Track listing
1. Exodus (instrumental) (Michael W. Smith) (Michael W. Smith) -5:30
2. My Will (DC Talk) (Toby McKeehan, Michael Tait, Joey Elwood, Daniel Joseph)
-5:25
3. Needful Hands (Jars of Clay) (Jars of Clay) -3:59
4. Brighten My Heart (Sixpence None the Richer) (Matt Slocum) -4:40
5. Make Us One (Cindy Morgan) (Cindy Morgan, Michael W. Smith) -3:49
6. Nothin' (Chris Rice) (Chris Rice) -2:51
7. Draw Me Close (The Katinas) (Kelly Carpenter) -5:07
8. Agnus Dei (Third Day) (Michael W. Smith) -5:01
9. Salvation Belongs to Our God (Crystal Lewis) (Adrian Turner, Pat Howard) -4:15
10. I See You (Michael W. Smith) (Rich Mullins) -6:31
Production credits
Michael W. Smith -producer (all tracks)
Michael Tait -co-producer (track 2)
Accolades
Dove Award -Special Event Album of the Year (Exodus, awarded to the
participating artists and Michael W. Smith as producer)
Radio singles
1998 "My Will" by DC Talk -#1 Christian CHR, #1 Christian AC
1998 "Draw Me Close" by The Katinas -#20 Christian CHR, #3 Christian AC
1998 "Agnus Dei" by Third Day -#2 Christian CHR
1998 "Brighten My Heart" by Sixpence None the Richer -#8 Christian CHR,
#25 Christian AC
1998 -1999 "Needful Hands" by Jars of Clay -#4 Christian CHR, #1 Christian AC
Listen to the album Exodus and watch the music video of "Nothin'" by Chris Rice here: