Reviewed by Lins Honeyman

Jamaica-born, UK-based chanteuse Deloris Francis' latest album was originally intended to contain solely gospel material but, due to its producer Norbert Edward temporarily falling ill near the start of the process, a smattering of already-recorded gospel tunes have been padded out by three Whitney Houston songs and some Christmas standards. Stylistically, this makes for a varied release with Francis undoubtedly at her best in reggae mode on the likes of the "Do Good" and "Lord Give Me Strength" - both of which suit her laidback vocal style - whilst a cover of the Lena Martell song "One Day At A Time" and the Francis/Edward original "I'm Free" work well despite the dated synth-led sound that dominates the album. However, valiant attempts to replicate Whitney Houston's powerhouse performances in "Saving All My Love" and "I Will Always Love You" should really have been omitted. These songs demonstrate substantial pitching problems which indeed pop up from time to time on the remainder of this release and one has to question the wisdom of including "Saving All My Love", a song that unapologetically advocates adultery, amongst almost exclusively Christian material. A trio of Christmas standards starting with a workmanlike replica of Boney M's version of "Mary's Boy Child" finishes off this erratic release.

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