Reviewed by Andy Shaw

Ekklesia comprises Yolanda Greaves and Nadine Lee although their projects always pull in a number of other collaborators. Over the past 14 years they have released several projects and achieved a bit of success in the insular UK gospel world including a MOBO nomination. 'Atmosphere' is the eighth release by the group featuring six new tracks. The strength of the band is definitely in the vocals which stand out throughout this record, the instrumentation playing more of a supporting role to facilitate those swoopingly soulful voices. As the album title suggests, this record creates an atmosphere which is positive, uplifting and showing the confidence of a group with a real faith in who they are in God. Opening track "Get It While You Can" kicks in with a muted electric guitar riff before a soulful chorus builds into a mass choir effect. Musically the record is largely mellow and understated letting the vocals and lyrics take centre stage, particularly on "Where You Are". On that song the elegant piano and cello support more powerful vocals provided by Jaz Ellington ("I will give anything just to be where you are"). The album closes with the title track which is the most upbeat on the record with a pumping drum beat, funky bass line and stabbing synth strings on the chorus ("Look around you'll see he's in the atmosphere"). It's certainly worth checking out this 2015 release.

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