Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Remember the 'New Flava' various artists from a few years back which promoted itself as the first gospel garage album? Well now another brave new independent label has emerged to make an identical claim. And it's a much more believable one. There's at least one killer cut, "Faith (Phatabulous Mix)" by The Phatness with a delicious groove and a tongue twisting rap. And though Witness is more ragga and Open Gate Crew hip hop than garage, who's splitting hairs? Not all the cuts are great (and how can "all vocals" be by Paladimo when Paladimo is, according to the photo on the back sleeve, a bloke?). But producer Norman Sealy has done a great job in catching the compulsive grooves of pirate radio while the divine Niki Carless is one of the new divas to emerge on the British scene while DJ Proclaima and DJ Dust make a compellingly joyful noise to the Lord on "Testimony". The whole thing has been given a continuous live mix by DJ El Nino so all you get is a taste of some of the cuts. But with 19 tracks to groove to you're bound to find some stuff to your taste. A groundbreaking album.

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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