Reviewed by Lins Honeyman

North Carolina gospel singer Ruth La'Ontra has followed up her 2013 'So Good' debut with a live-with-overdubs release that employs the services of gospel star Anthony Brown who has written all but one of the songs that feature here. Brown is also in the producer hot seat and has ensured that the right kind of material has been picked to showcase La'Ontra's impressive voice with the likes of the bouncy title track opening proceedings in upbeat and God-praising fashion with a great vocal from the lady herself. Nonetheless, La'Ontra's powerhouse vocal style and the new gospel sound that dominates the album has been heard countless times before but tracks like the Hammond organ and voice only "Tis So Sweet" and hints of Handel in "Reign" do offer up something that's a little bit different. Several of the tracks are a tad on the long side with the likes of "Come Through" - with nearly nine minutes of vocal acrobatics only to be immediately followed by a pointless reprise of the same song - being something of an endurance test. An extended cover of the Reverend Milton Brunson number "In My Name" and the equally lengthy dance-tinged "On The Way" round off a competent enough release from an undoubtedly talented singer.

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.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.