Joshua Community Praise Choir - The Sounds Of Joshua Community Praise Choir: Be Encouraged
STYLE: Gospel RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 92882-16492 LABEL: Independent FORMAT: CD Album ITEMS: 1
Reviewed by Lins Honeyman
Founded in 1995, Maryland-based interdenominational gospel collective The Sounds Of Joshua Community Praise Choir have finally released their debut album. The long wait has certainly been worth it. Proceedings kick off in true trad gospel style with producer/writer Harold E Sims Sr lending his rich tones amidst the formidable sound of the choir to the high octane "Standing On The Promises" before varying the pace in the slick slow burning title track. To keep matters refreshingly varied, good use is made of individual soloists such as Charlotte Newton and Karen Simms in "He Paid It" and "Praise The Lord" respectively whilst the epic "Heaven's Suite" showcases the choir's cumulative strength. Although the majority of material has been written by Sims Sr and the group's founder and musical director Shirlette Boysaw, soulful new arrangements of old chestnuts such as "Jesus Loves Me" and "Go Tell It On The Mountain" work extremely well although a rather bizarre reggae rendition of "Away In A Manger" is arguably a reworking too far. Nonetheless, this is a satisfying release from an exceptional choir who were rightfully nominated for a Rhythm Of Gospel award last year.
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