Reviewed by Tony May

Albertina's now a Black Gospel music veteran, highly revered, the recipient of various awards and generally reckoned to be pretty good at this sort of thing. She's also someone who's managed to escape my attention all these years. So here goes. Well she's on the right side of me instantly respecting her roots with a reworking of the old, "Spirit of Memphis Quartet" classic "Working On A Building." Yup, soul, credibility and flair - all present and correct. Nice bluesy guitar and honkin' horn section. Tight backing vocals all in the "that'll do nicely" category. Plenty of sassy strut. The music sinks deeply into traditional gospel whilst unashamedly utilizing that which, though contemporary, enhances the rootsy styling. Albertina's phrasing is reminiscent of another big voice, the late Mahalia Jackson. Soaring, swooping, stunning in its sudden twists and dips. Enjoy the old-time, hand-waving style of "Say Amen" (must stop thinking of Kenney Everett's take-off), the lovely old benediction "An Evening Prayer", and the title track, a touching ballad. Well an absentee she may have been, but like the old songs says, "Once you have found her, never let her go." The real thing.

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