Reviewed by Paul Poulton

14 long songs but I was still forlorn when the last one finished, I did not want this album to end. It's not too often we hear from the writer/singer/pastor, his recorded output has been sparse since 1990 when he first released I've Learned To Put My Trust In God. Trials and tribulations have heightened this man's edge and he is a coiled spring ready to pounce. The musicians manage to keep up with him laying down some superbly executed rhythms. What I liked most about the band was that the guitar often led the proceedings. It maybe because I'm into guitar that I thought it was great to hear guitar being featured in gospel music, but I don't think many will disagree. Alvin's backing singers are called Celebration, their symmetry is weighted on the fair side of the sexual divide, but there are three men who help lay down such a hefty slab of BVs never a man could move. The songs move along apace which is maybe why the CD seems short, despite "It's Alright Now" lasting 8:40 mins, it's true, time does go faster when you are enjoying yourself. These songs remind us once again what a fine songwriter Alvin is, let's not forget his song "He's All Over Me" was featured in the film The Preacher's Wife, performed by Whitney Houston and Shirley Caesar. Out of the 14 on here he's written 12 of them and there's more than one classic here.

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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