Reviewed by Phil Thomson

This has been billed Candi's first praise and worship project. This might be "live", so who knows? On the other hand, it's a slick, put-you-hands-together, well-mixed and mastered studio production, so who knows. Disappointingly, Staton seems to prefer her remarkable soulful alto voice to be wrapped around soap ad harmonies and bland orchestrations while the lyrics exude the kind of catch-all sincerity of any mega-church Sunday morning ramble, rather than letting loose on the angst and old school soul arrangements which made 2006's 'His Hands' project such a creative tour de force. The tracks here only raise their praise profile from the ponderous and preachy half-way through the album and too often the whole approach is fairly disconnected faux-funk, all tinkly and brassy, with chunky bass and the obligatory gospel organ here and there. There's a really stodgy cover of "Light Of The World" and something close to parody in that tedious kiddie track "Undignified". Most mystifying of all is "Our God Saves" which after a big rock promise build-up is immediately talk-sung down to walking pace - and yes, again, those soap ad b/vs answering every word. What an opportunity missed. Yet it still manages to be the wake-up track, thanks to an insistent, disciplined drum motif. Sadly, in the end it's the choir doing all the driving. Considering Candi's vast vocal talent still displayed on her secular releases, this is a major creative disappointment.

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.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.