Reviewed by Ken Hancock

The feature film directed by David Hardy, The Gospel proved to be a surprise hit in the USA. The movie is based on Jesus' parable of the prodigal son and the album soundtrack features performances by Kirk Franklin, Martha Munizzi, Fred Hammond, Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway, Yolanda Adams, Donnie McClurkin and many more. From the first minute of the first track "He Reigns", it positively defies you not to tap your feet, - if not leap up and dance around the room! There is a pause for breath from track eight, the old pop hit provided by Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway, "The Closer I Get To You". Elsewhere there are gems like Joann Rosario's "When I Pray", Fred Hammond's ballad "All Things Are Working", "I Need You To Survive" with Hezekiah Walker and the LFC, Tamara Gray's "Now Behold The Lamb", and then the stomp gets going again on the final track, Fred Hammond and Natalie Wilson's invitation to "Put Your Hands Together". Sometimes I see a film and find myself thinking about getting a copy of the soundtrack. I just discovered that it happens the other way round too!

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