Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

I have lost count of the number of R&B and hip-hop albums that feature an interlude with someone calling someone else on the telephone. It is such a cliché. But I have never heard an album kick off with a phone conversation and then have a five minute conversation between artist and producer talking jive. It took every effort to persevere and skip to track two to get into the album proper and what did I discover? An album that combines a gospel message with R&B singing and hip-hop grooves and raps. South Carolina-based Payne is blessed with a cool, soulful voice and has the vocal chops to carry this. The production is solid if a little unoriginal and that's how you could some up the whole project. The songs don't really stand out and lodge themselves in your soul so you get an album that is competent but not amazing.

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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