Reviewed by Tony Cummings

There have been plenty of false dawns for British black gospel. No sooner does an outstanding album arrive when someone predicts a UK gospel explosion. So no predictions about Global Zamar becoming bigger than Madonna. In fact, their strengths are obvious, two quality voices - Marion Powell and Jenny Ingram-Brown (the latter once a member of everybody's tip-for-crossover Nu Colours) and producer Nicky Brown (who isn't quite the megastar studio maestro of the Global Zamar press release but is still a hugely experienced man to have behind the desk). On the opening 'Let Me Fly' we have some soulful harmonies, some rather familiar lyrics ('Can't nobody/Do me like Jesus/Can't nobody/Do me like the Lord'), some bass mixed loud enough to make any funkster quiver; and Nicky doing spoken interjections which makes him a contender for Kirk Franklin Imitator Of The Year award. Track two has some delicious rhythm guitar and clipped vocal harmonies. But hen the impact lessens, 'Yesterday, Today, The Same' is a dull ballad with stacked vocals creating an anonymous sound, while 'Greatly To Be Praised' with jazz changes and horns is impressive in execution but left this listener unmoved. All in all, an album which, considering the talent it represents, fails to live with America's best R&B worship albums.

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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