Reviewed by Andy Cooper

If you've not yet discovered Micah Stampley, now is definitely the time to do so. He's young yet immensely experienced and naturally gifted as a singer, choir director and songwriter. The original release has deserved all the acclaim it has received, and this re-release should draw the attention of more new fans. Out of the four bonus tracks, two are remixes of songs already on the CD: "Take My Life" (originally made famous by Sonicflood) and Micah's own "War Cry". But they are all given a stronger urban R&B feel, with more rhythmic emphasis and repetitive riffs (think Craig David or R Kelly). But really Micah is sounding his best when surrounded by a large choir, dynamic brass section and lavish keyboard layers, as heard throughout the original 12 songs. If you are already a fan and own the original version, there may not be much worth in upgrading to the deluxe edition. But it should be a most pleasing, and uplifting, addition to a new gospel fan's collection.

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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