Reviewed by Chris Tozer

The Chicago Mass Choir has built up a steady following in this country thanks to the generous airplay of their good friends at London’s Premier Radio. The Choir may be largely unknown outside the capital but this, their 10th album, deserves to be heard nationwide. Recorded live in front of a packed congregation in Nashville’s Pentecostal Tabernacle, such a consistently excellent collection of foot stomping and impassioned songs just has to be a serious contender for Gospel Album Of The Year. CMC has all the hallmarks that are treasured by lovers of traditional gospel music - from the no-nonsense evangelistic lyrics to the impassioned vocalists who are lead by an impressive roster of guest soloists that includes Percy Gray and Lemmie Battles. And yet, there is an undeniable soulful funkiness to be heard on tracks like “I Need Your Spirit” and “Prayer Will Fix” that reminds me of dear brother Andre Crouch in his heyday. That said, I reckon that the Choir’s core supporters will gravitate more towards the ballads like “Praise Jehovah” and the upbeat classic “I’m Going With Jesus”. If you buy just one gospel album in 2003, look no further than the choir from the windy city.

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