Reviewed by Lins Honeyman

New York bluesman-cum-reverend Vince Anderson's talents recently came to light on the acclaimed 'Nine Beats To The Bar' release from Plankton Records but his standing as an earthy and authentic purveyor of old style gospel soul can be traced back to the this album recorded with his Love Choir in 2006. Anderson's raspy vocals and no nonsense faith-based lyrics form the foundation of this exhilarating release which kicks off with the high octane gospel of "I Wanna Testify" and hardly comes up for air from then on in. Elsewhere, offerings like "Come To The River" and the southern soul of "He Turned The Water Into Wine" see Anderson and his band on top form as they pull off a raft of confident performances with ease whilst the inclusion of a mock baroque intro and a fantastic brass section on "Get Out Of My Way" and a Count Basie-style opening on "Blessed Are The Poor" are little moments of genius that help make this album really shine. In order to get his sanctified message across, Anderson refreshingly straddles a number of different styles with the satisfyingly sprawling "Deep Is The Water" containing more than a hint of psychedelia whilst the country tune "Don't Think Jesus Would Have Done It That Way" succeeds in blasting misguided spiritual thinking on just the right side of pastiche. Containing more than just a nod musically and vocally to Screamin' Jay Hawkins' manic version of "I Put A Spell On You", the scripture-affirming "Power Of The Gospel" is one of many highlights with only an overly fast version of the Thomas Dorsey stalwart "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" falling below the very high bar set by the rest of this hugely enjoyable release.

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