Reviewed by Tony Cummings

The continuing popularity of black choirs in the States has meant that there are a veritable flood of albums. This item, though not quite having the explosive spark that set the Milton Brunsons and John P Kees up there at the top, thankfully avoids the tired praise-by-numbers of many a hurriedly conceived, cheaply recorded gospel album. For a start there are some hot lead vocalists from regular members of the choir (try Toya Risby on the slow "Thank God For Saving Me" with plenty of spectacular pyrotechnics) and some special guests (great to see the underrated falsetto maestro Bob Bailey making an outing again). Secondly, there's a hot band, the overdubbed horns help bring out the punch. And lastly, though a couple of the songs are perfunctory praise-him-from-the-rooftops style numbers, there's an excellent Michael English ballad "No More Pain" as well.

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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