Reviewed by David Faulkner

This outfit used to be a female vocal trio called Redemption, but they added the prefix Divas and with it - obviously! - a male vocalist, Paul Smith. But whatever the slight oddity over the name, don't miss the dynamism of this recording. It consists of four tracks from a 2009 EP, supplemented by five later songs. Their press release talks about traditional gospel (tick) with R&B (present), jazz harmonies (I'd have thought they were more gospel) and the occasional tinge of country (not convinced). Production duties are shared around different names, and that can adversely affect the continuity - there are one or two songs where for this reviewer's ears the lead vocals are mixed too low. But don't let that or the occasional lyrical cliché (do all gospel artists have to make a mandatory reference to "'His Eye Is On The Sparrow"'?) put you off, because there is an infectious energy to this release. From the upbeat commercial opener "Love Him 4 That" to the funk of "All Rise" and testifying ballads such as "He's The Best", gospel fans will want to familiarise them with Divas Redemption. This is an inspiring CD.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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