Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Possibly a more appropriate title would be 'Getting Excited About His Promise'. For this is gospel worship at its most exuberant. This is Youthful Praise's fifth album and with their trademark East Coast choir sound it can't be bettered. All the elements are in place - J J's memorable melodies and charismatic presence every bit as dominant as Kirk Franklin's, a surging, foot-stomping rhythm section from the joyful opener "You Reign" opener (seven minutes, 17 secs) to the staccato-phrased closer "You Can Make It" (five mins, 11 secs) and an electrifying live atmosphere this is dynamic trad gospel of the finest quality. As the capper JJ brings in some special guests to raise the anti to exploding point. So we've got the smouldering emoting of the First Lady Of Gospel, Shirley Caesar, on "High Praise", the rasping exhortations of Myron Butler on "Great Expectation" and the incomparable Dorinda Clark-Cole taking it to the heavenlies on "What A Mighty God We Serve". If you thought trad choir music had lost much of its zest and fire, here's the album to change your mind. My only regret is that I wasn't present at the Cathedral Of Praise in Bridgeport, Connecticut to get my praise on when this smouldering set was recorded.

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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