Reviewed by Dave Drodge

Ann Nesby, former lead vocalist with the 40-strong choir/club purveyors, the Sounds Of Blackness, finally debuts with her long-awaited solo recording that draws heavily upon the Blackness' seminal production team Jam & Lewis. That, coupled with guest producers including early Chicago house pioneer Steve 'Silk' Hurley, gives an idea that this is one serious project with something for everyone who enjoys high quality R&B with a few club influences. Several tracks are written especially for the dancefloor crowd, and "Can I Get A Witness" and "In The Spirit" have been doing well as import 12" singles for some time now, taking the originals and adding several alternative but none-too-hardcore versions. These and "Hold On" are definitely worth searching out. But good though these tracks are, the album is much more varied than that and there's plenty of good grooves and inspired songs in a more relaxed mood, with some being explicitly gospel and others love songs, and Ann's exceptional voice makes light work of them all. The only downside to the album is that it can seem a bit unnerving the way the focus shifts back and forth from uplifting gospel to songs about intimate/broken relationships. But even with that considered, it's still well worth getting for its many highlights.

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