Reviewed by Tony Cummings

With Tye Tribbett doing the sanctified hype-man bit on the opening "We Are Victorious", the effect is truly joyful and cleverly straddles old school call-and-response and funky urban grooves. After such an electrifying opener, many of the other tracks where gospel luminaries share the vocal mic with the best selling singer/pastor are less interesting. The overblown orchestration of "I Am Amazed" with Preshea Hilliard and Erica Campbell ruins it for me while the "Anytime" ballad with John P Kee has fine vocals on a dull song. But then there's an old school hard clapper "Write My Name" where Donnie and Dorinda Clark Cole enjoy themselves having church and "Come As You Are" is a deliciously soulful mid-tempo song with Israel Houghton and Marvin Sapp emoting to great effect. Considering his long time away from the CD racks, 'Duets' will be welcome by McClurkin's legion of fans though only some cuts worked for me.

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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