Reviewed by Tony Cummings

I was stunned by the quality of this six-track EP from a singer based in Dumfries, Virginia. Why stunned? Well, on the strength of these tracks Cynthia is surely one of the great gospel vocalists of the modern age and it is with some embarrassment that I must admit that I'd never heard of her until now. Cynthia's voice is absolutely stunning with, I'm pretty sure, a three octave range and an ability to bend and shape melody lines not with the vocal-gymnastics-for-it's-own-sake trickery of some modern divas but with the intuitive bluesy power of a Mahalia or Mavis even though Cynthia's particular voice resembles neither. 'From Singer 2 Psalmist' is distinctly old school gospel with only the heavy bass signaling this was not recorded back in the '50s though most of the six songs here are pretty ancient. But there's nothing wrong with that. With an excellent band including a top rate pianist Minister Isaiah D Thomas, male and female vocal groups The Tenors and The Psalmbirds and, on one track, a multiracial choir, The American University Gospel Choir, everything is set for Cynthia to deliver her goosebump-inducing vocals. Her material includes a "Hymn Medley", containing the best version of "When The Saints Go Marching In" you're likely to hear; a gospel blues written by John Mayer, "Calvary"; a rendition of two old Impressions hits, "It's Alright" and "Amen" and, best of all, an intensely soulful rendition of the old hymn "I Have Decided To Follow Jesus". This release may never catapult Cynthia to the fur coats and diamonds excess of America's gospel awards. But I'm rather glad of that. If you want to hear a great singer performing timeless music this EP is one you should search out.

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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