Reviewed by Tom Lennie

Joshua Omotoso - sometimes known as JoshTosh - is music director within The Redeemed Christian Church of God based in Edgware, Middlesex. Josh grew up in a family of songwriters and singers hence his longstanding ability to sing and play various musical instruments. On this (debut?) solo recording, Joshua delivers nine of his self-penned praise songs. Surrounded by a talented team of musicians, he also plays keyboards and bass. His voice is soulful, velvety and always pleasant. The lyrics - not included in the inserts - are good enough, though they sometimes consist of rather typical praise clichés. A couple of the more upbeat praise numbers come in a catchy calypso rhythm - this is most apparent on "Unrestricted Praise" - which is exactly that - an accessible song of semi-spontaneous adoration where Josh catches a funky groove and decides to stick with it indefinitely and so gets totally caught up in a spirit of worship. This delightful and intimate experience is well into its 11th minute before it finally draws to a close! For me this is definitely the album's highlight, though "Bless The Lord" has a beautiful simplicity, as do one or two others sung in an unstated African tongue. Overall, a fine offering from a clearly talented and devoted worshipper.

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