Reviewed by Tom Lennie

With a 4000-seater Miracle Centre in Hackney, East London, and an even larger church dome near completion, The Kingsway International Christian Church has one of the UK's largest single-site congregations. Pastored by Matthew Ashimolowo, it's growth from 300 members less than a decade ago is quite staggering. Truly a church based on vision, KICC seeks to take full advantage of spreading the Gospel in music form, hence the release of 'Taking Hold Of The Future', featuring the full, extremely-accomplished sounds of The KICC Mass Choir with a selection from the vast array of songs composed by its members. Led by choir director Keith F Childress (who wrote or co-wrote about half the songs), the sound is sometimes loud, powerful, intense; elsewhere gentler and more worshipful, as in the wonderful three-song "Holy Medley" and the unusual reggae-styled "I Have A Reason". But from everywhere emanates passion and emotion, and the feel of a team who truly know what they're about. Admittedly an acquired taste, and personally not my cup-of-cappuccino, but if you like the tones of black gospel choirs, then you're unlikely to be disappointed with this.

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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