Reviewed by Ben Lilford

OFMB's (Our Father's Music Business) 'Reggae For Christ' features many different artists providing vocals and rhythms for tracks written by project producer Tennyson Walters. The calibre of artists is high with Jamaican chart topping Mikey Spice and 2003 Jamaica Festival Award winner Kevin Downswell contributing their talents. Musicians such as those session-seasoned legends Sly & Robbie plus a host of other Jamaican luminaries also appear on different cuts. 'Reggae For Christ' sets out to be a reggae gospel crossover album and in terms of slickness it succeeds a little too well. The music has been polished so much all you can hear is the gleam. All traces of vibrancy and soul have been substituted for a wider mass appeal gospel sound, to the point where I can hear some of these tracks being played on Songs Of Praise, it feels that safe. Don't get me wrong, the lyrical content is right there with tracks such as "The Devil's On The Prowl" and "Don't Cast Your Pearls Before Swine", but I don't hear much of an edge to any of the music. In a world where people are really going for gritty realism in their music, it's possible this album didn't have to scrub up quite so well.

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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