Reviewed by Tony Cummings

No doubt you all read about this album in Cross Rhythms 17. Produced and largely written by Nicky Brown it takes a batch of Britain's best, and up to now shamefully under recorded, gospel artists and gives each of them, for a track at least, the benefit of a handsome recording budget. The purpose of the exercise as far as Island Records are concerned was not of course altruism towards the black church but a pitch at finding a crossover hit. So the tracks here have been recorded with all the R&B/urban sensibilities though surprisingly there's little here which has a heavy dance rhythm (with the exception of, paradoxically, the Manchester Mass Choir) and the track Island have chosen to release and promote as a single, Divine's "All I Dream Of" is a pretty ballad. In fact the restrained prettiness of the latter will disappoint grassroots supporters in the Midlands used to Divine's church-wrecking style while buyers of Tracey Riggan's 'Friends' album will wonder why there's so little of their favourite lead. But, as they say, the proof of a single is in its chart placing so I'll reserve judgement... Elsewhere, there are plenty of excellent cuts. Paul Lee exudes slinky soulfulness on the mid tempo "Something In My Heart", the Escoffereys do a hypnotic contemporisation of the old spiritual "Something Within Me", the Wades are hoarsely impassioned on "You're The Best Thing", and the David Daniels And Barbara Thomas duet grows with every play. Personally, I think Qura fragmentary jazz piano links are an irrelevance to the concept. But I quibble. This is an excellent selection of R&B gospel with a lot of potential to push back the radio darkness.

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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