Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

This youth choir comprises teenagers from the wrong side of the Detroit tracks who have been saved and sorted, disciplined and developed. Nearly all of its members have incredible testimonies which mean that beyond creating some Of 1999's most exciting new R&B, the choir's ministry is making a powerful impact. This is one contemporary choir who sing it and live it! The buzz is that New Direction are being touted as the next generation of Gospel Music and on the evidence of this release, for once this isn't an exaggeration. "Lighthouse" is a full blown breezy introduction demonstrating that New Direction have the chops to combine slightly more orthodox choir music with funky fresh newer influences. "You Love Me" allows the choir to let their collective hair down with some hot urban vibes, drum loops and rap delivery, not to mention huge choir arrangement! Elsewhere there's plenty of soul and on "God's Gift", it's all string sounds and New Direction floating on the clouds delivering one of those moving ballads. You can just imagine that live, any audience encountering this song would be reduced to Paltrow-style blubbing! It's time to party on "Satisfied" and suddenly New Direction are grooving like good 'uns! The album closes with an intriguing new version of Amy Grant's classic "Lead Me On"! A brave move but then this is an outfit packed with talent, confidence and zeal. I expect they'll be huge - this is an excellent debut, full of freshness.

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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