Reviewed by Phil Thomson

Adrian B King is big and brassy and so full of push, his Chicago musicians practically rip their guitar strings, drums and keyboards apart as they pump out their brand of gutsy, hard-hitting funk (yes, that word!) to match his voice. And as for the walls of black church praise from "Reverence" - it will leave you thinking "it's choir, Jim, but not as we know it;" they cut in and out of King's Little Richard style entreaties with such precision, they make an instrument all on their own. Occasionally, you can just about make out that old familiar gospel organ, reminding you of the roots of this kind of holy onslaught as King romps through high octane songs such as "Blessin' Me", "Victory" and "The Lord Is On My Side", ably assisted by appreciative congregational heckling, which comes through as he tones things down. It's all praise, all worship and all very "live", with King big on exhortation too - every link comes fully charged, but never preachy - all he wants to do is bless everyone in sight. The rocking numbers swell out enough to sting your palms as you clap your way into the aisles, but get ready to be on your knees too, for heart-felt prayer: "My Earnest Desire" is so good, it's one of three tracks which earn a reprise on the album and rightly so. You'll be thoroughly exhausted after this - particularly played at full volume (the only way) and in the right frame of mind. It's a party; it's a celebration; it's immersive.

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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