Reviewed by Tony Cummings

This album’s full front sleeve credit is ‘Ahmad Jones And Lookalive Present Gumbo A Hip Rock Soul Compilation’. I’m not sure where the “rock” comes in and I’ve no idea who Ahmad Jones is beyond being the CEO of a new independent label called Lookalive but no matter, this is a pretty nifty set of R&B and rap. Tena Jones (Ahmad’s wife) contributes a great vocal on the skipping reggae rhythm of “Baltimore”, Ellis Taylor emotes soulfully in Jill Scott/Angie Stone-style on the neo-soul “Pick Up The Phone”, Jabi offers a searing rap on “All Of Y’All” and Gailybird combine underground hip-hop with classical music samples. Most of the lyrics here aren’t gospel, one exception being NeNe White’s “Be Still And Know”, while the “Interludes” are unnecessary. But still an intriguing set.

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