Reviewed by Tony Cummings

This album was recorded in October last year at the Chicagoland Christian Centre Embassy and according to the press release, "Psalmist Raine's singers stepped to their mics and instruments to record an entire album having only learned the opening song." The whole throng, including the congregation, were clearly excited to be there and several of the pieces here are pleas for the Holy Spirit to inhabit their praises. But there's the rub. Singing the phrase "we welcome you here" 20 or so times doesn't make very interesting music and although Psalmist Raine has an impressive contralto voice and she and her singers, particularly the soulful exhortations by one Eric David Townsend, make a few uplifting moments, too often the tracks here meander into repetition both lyrically and musically. The frenetic atmosphere throughout will connect with some listeners well versed in African American Pentecostalism.

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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