STYLE: R&B RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 19177-CAS2806 LABEL: Savoy FORMAT: CD Album
Reviewed by Tony May
Savoy of course were for many years THE label for traditional gospel (James Cleveland et al). But times have changed and, now that they're Malaco distributed, can come up with the more smoothed out, pop influenced side of black gospel, oozing polish and professionalism, sometimes though losing the inherent power in the process. Devoted are five fellas who offer the jazz-based harmony vocals best rendered by Take 6. However these warblers are no slouches, the cool, laid back material like "Call On Jesus" is handled stylishly enough. Some tracks, eg, "Making A Way", have a touch more roughage and the impression is that the lads could make waves, but are working to orders. So, good music, without the dynamite associated with the genre and for that reason probably more generally acceptable.
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