Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

Building on the success of God's Property, Kirk Franklin finally delivers an album which takes the finest R&B grooves that a man could dream up and combines them with an uncompromising gospel message. Got to admit I wasn't convinced by his earlier material but this one is packed with killer kuts which will slay you! From the start Kirk means business! "Revolution" is a slab of hard edged funk with a drive to get you up and into action straight away! However the mood is immediately taken down with the brilliant single "Lean On Me" which has Christmas number one written all over it! Featuring an all star line up of Crystal Lewis, R Kelly, Mary J Blige and U2's Bono, the song is an emotive artistic triumph. Legendary gospel shouter Ranee Allen adds his rasp to the delicious soulful slow gospel of "Something About The Name Jesus". There's just no let up to the quality throughout the album as song after song passes by with top choir vocals and the best grooves. Check out "Down By The Riverside" and their cover of the Bill Withers classic "Lovely Day" for the evidence. At the other end of the scale, there's the quiet tenderness of "He Loves Me" and "Hold Me Now" and the sweet worship of "You Are" to ensure that no one misses the focus of this recording in all the excitement of the groovy bits! And there are plenty of those!!! "Praise Joint" is like "Stomp Pt 2" and is guaranteed to be a classic because it really turns up the juice. "If You Been Delivered" is a punchy mid tempo burner and Fred Hammond's contribution of his unmistakeable vocals to the jazzy "My Desire" is yet another celebrity endorsement to this top experience and then there's Donnie McClurkin getting soulful on "Smile Again". After a while you begin wondering whether this album could be any more wonderful! It couldn't because it's a perfect 10!!

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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