Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

It isn't unusual for diva soul singers with huge voices to emerge from the ranks of the church where they learnt their chops and make big careers for themselves. The Church has given the world some of its finest singers. Some of them even get around to singing the gospel music of their youth and Ms Labelle is the latest. Labelle has been wanting to record this project for many years but the labels she's recorded for have worried that it would confuse her core audience. You can understand their point! After all it's quite a journey from "Voulez-vous coucher avec moi" to "God Ain't Through". With a worldwide reputation, it isn't surprising to see Patti pulling in some heavyweight support from gospel artists like Mary Mary, Yolanda Adams and J Moss. Some of this works superbly. Turning around from stuff that hurts you is the theme of her duet with CeCe Winans, "Walking Away" and the result is excellent. The opening cover of the Clark Sisters' classic "Did You Pray Today" sets the scene and another highlight is the collaboration with Yolanda Adams on the gentle soulful groove of "Where Love Begins". The absolute highlight of the album, where Ms Labelle really sings it likes she's lived it, is on the poignant "Walk Around Heaven", an emotive inspiring ballad. At the other end of the scale, the biggest disappointment is "Anything" which features both Mary Mary and Kanye West but never really ignites into anything significant. It's been a long time coming but the results are good. One of the challenges about making amazing gospel music is that it sometimes takes practitioners a number of albums before they hit the perfect groove combining incredible songs and amazing vocal performances, creating something that goes beyond musical satisfaction to soul touching anointing. On this recording, she only hits those sublime moments on some of the songs. However Ms Labelle is in fine voice and I'm glad that she's finally fulfilled her desire to record gospel. Let's hope she does it again soon! (8 squares)
Mike Rimmer

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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