Reviewed by Paul Poulton

'Hallelujah' was recorded and released in 2004. With similar Philly origins the Doctor's music is not dissimilar to those '70s soul vocal groups like the Tymes, the Intruders and the Stylistics. Not surprisingly, the good doctor has worked with some of the producers from that era as he grew up in Philadelphia. There's a spelling error of the title on the front cover but such things shouldn't put you off the fun and praise to be found on this album. Dr McNeil enjoys talking across the groove similar to The Chi-Lites song "Have You Seen Her", it works well if you can cope with the sentimentality of it. The songs seem to be a work in progress and not yet complete, the kind of thing you might find on a songwriter's tape machine where he is trying out ideas. Most of the ideas work and hit the mark they're aiming for. There are some slightly out of tune backing vocals here but overall, this set displays a simple retro charm.

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