Reviewed by Andy Cooper

This is the award-winning diva's first album on her own record label DP Muzik Group, and is self-produced, while a handful of the songs are also self-penned. But Dottie has never been one to lack commitment. Her vocal style is as bold and strong as Shirley Caesar, with the up front attitude of Aretha Franklin. However, the high passages start to thin out just a little, so have been treated in the studio with reverb and delay effects. Never mind, the performance is near perfect, though perhaps at the expense of style and character. The musical styles presented here, though varied, basically have not changed since Andrae Crouch appeared over 30 years ago. Just the technology is fresher. "Do It" is a fine and fast bluesy opener, with a call-and-response thing going on between Dottie and the choir, while the organ, guitar and piano doodle away and the sassy horns fill the gaps between the verses. "Be Merciful" and "It's Not Goodbye" both bring the tempo right down while heightening the atmosphere and allowing Dottie to use her extensive range of pitch and dynamics. The ministry element of her music is always clear, completing a well rounded and polished, but also a rather predictable set of songs.

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