Reviewed by Tony Cummings

'Free Indeed' feels like a debut album, fresh and full of energy. The sleevenotes back up this assumption, featuring as they do three full pages of "thank you's" and "we love you's" (in small print!) from Chris and Eric, the titular Andrews Brothers. This first release (if such it is) is a great start, though, and weighs in with the help of a few stellar guests including Tonex and "our god sister" Kim Burrell Wiley. The brothers, alongside producers H Doobie Powell, Luke Austin and childhood friend Robert "Sput" Seawright, conjure up some effective urban and contemporary grooves which well support the 11 tunes on offer here, all but one of which are self-penned. The exception is that great John Newton staple "Amazing Grace" (for which the boys - unintentionally, I'm sure - give themselves a cheeky writing credit!) and sadly it's their least convincing offering; Chris and Andrew try a little too much innovation, until the basic hymn is almost lost beneath the riffing. However, there is plenty here to make up for that one miss-fire, my favourite tune being the Tonex-featuring "Saved Sanctified". The Andrews Brothers are talented new artists for gospel fans to check out.

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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