Reviewed by Peter Williams

This album is not another 'Hymns In The House' hip hop, but a more traditional rendering of ever famous hymns that we all know and love. On the inlay card Crystal takes great pains to give a short introduction to each hymn, relating personal memories to explain the reasons for each choice. Brought up as a PK (Pastor's kid), she reflects how, as a young teenager, she felt compelled to respond to the appeal when "Just As I Am" was played but was very embarrassed at publicly showing that she too had spiritual needs even though her peers had thought her so strong. The whole album seems to be family-based, reflecting on her father's church and friends who influenced her development. Later, just before she got married she recorded "Have Thine Own Way" and had it played at her wedding. The track "The Solid Rock" is reminiscent of the song "The Wise Man Built", which, year later, her young son Solomon used to enjoy and there are also a number of well produced and presented classics popular with all ages. The fourth track, Andrae Crouch's "My Tribute" seems to sum up the reason for the album as a whole and the simple presentation linking all the songs is complemented by the sympathetic scoring for strings and synthesizers. This is truly an album for all ages.

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.

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