Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Here's an odd one. Back in the 60s a visitor to the UK was Alex Bradford who'd been a big gospel recording star for Specialty, was a major influence on Little Richard and later starred in the 'Black Nativity' broadway musical. For some strange reason (money?) he agreed to record an album with Chris Barber's trad gospel band and now, long forgotten by jazz fans and gospel fans alike it makes a surprise CD appearance on Barber's own record label. It works surprisingly well; Alex's gravel voiced exhorting easily getting its way above the rather lumpen quasi-New Orleans jazz. The album is padded out with a couple of tracks from another black gospel visitor to Britain way back when, Kenneth Washington.

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