Reviewed by Tony Cummings

The Rev Floyd Flake may not be a name that instils theological confidence but in fact he's the senior pastor of the biggest church in New York, the Greater Allen African Methodist Episcopal Cathedral in Jamaica, Queens. Under his 30 year leadership he's seen the church grow from 1,400 members to its present mega church status of 23,000 members. The church also sports one of the best gospel choirs in America and as this studio project shows they have the ability to lift any congregation to the heavenlies. Standouts are the opener "Greater", where the choir are led out by Michael Pugh, who got to third place in the fourth season of the Sunday Best TV talent search; a soulful rendition of "Jesus Christ Is The Way", the gospel ballad penned by the late Walter Hawkins where one Delores Bowman shows she has the chops to win a talent search if she should ever care to enter one; and the uplifting "All The Glory". Maybe there are a few too many slow songs here and I can't hear exactly what Rev Flake does on the CD to get a front sleeve credit. But there's little doubt that his church's choir are a class act.

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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