JENNIFER PHILLIPS fielded some questions from Tony Cummings.

Tony: You are pretty well known in the London gospel scene. What are your roots?

Jennifer: I was born in Birmingham and started singing in church from the age of nine. I was always very active on the gospel circuit but it was only after moving to London that I started to work with mainstream artists.

Tony: How did you come to record 'All About Me'?

Jennifer: Jay Bee, the producer, is a long time friend of mine. He's worked with many artists, commercially as well as on the gospel circuit and we worked on the album together almost entirely at his studio. Sharing many common influences and tastes in music, the album is very natural and true. "All About Me" was the last track we did and fittingly so. In contrast to what many people's first reaction is, 'All About Me' is not an egotistical message, rather a statement about having spent a long time in the background and now it's time for me to step forward and do my thing. This doesn't just refer to my music but my life/circumstances too. You should be able to pick this up from the lyrics.

Tony: Were you surprised by Blues & Soul calling you "official UK's answer to Lauryn Hill"?

Jennifer: Not really. I guess people have to compare you to some established artist or another, just to give the reader/listener something tangible to relate to. However, the next sentence usually goes on to describe how different my music, my style or my vocals are. Of course I am more than flattered to be mentioned alongside someone whose talent I admire so much, but I do just try to be myself.

Tony: In the past singers with a gospel background have shipwrecked their Christian faith when stepping into the mainstream showbiz world. How are you coping?

Jennifer: Absolutely fine. I know who I am in Christ and my faith is not shaped or determined by outside influences. I understand to a point that some people fail to prioritise what's important in their life, and I don't think this applies just to singers and those in show business. It's comparable to someone who has become successful in business and accumulated wealth and "important friends" who then finds themselves faced with greater dilemmas and/or temptations. It's very easy for some to stray from the Lord and in the music industry there are undoubtedly many more pitfalls to be aware of.