Reviewed by Peter Dilley

As with previous versions of this top selling annual compilation, the list of artists reads like a roundup of the usual suspects, in a rogues gallery of US Gospel's Most Wanted. So much so, that it might be easier to say which big choirs and artists don't appear. Live choir performances are definitely in the majority, but some of the concept videos deserve particular mention: "Yesterday" from Mary Mary has a powerful domestic violence video plotline, and equally hard-hitting is Dijon's R&B number "A Kid's Point Of View" - a child's perspective on the pain of family breakup. On DVD, some of the live footage becomes almost as interesting for its sartorial content as for the music: traditional gospel team the Clark Sisters sport elaborate hairstyles and false eyelashes for the tightly choreographed "Blessed And Highly Favoured"; Vision provide the backing for Richard Smallwood on "I'll Trust You" in shiny suits; it's dayglo sweaters for Tye Tibbett & G A with "Sinking"; and best of all, Bishop T D Jakes wears African attire, as he and a huge massed choir perform "Grace" live in Kenya. Leaving the attire aside, my choice for the best track would probably be right at the start - Fred Hammond's barnstorming urban reworking of "This Is The Day" - inspired, and inspirational.

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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