Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Although released in 2006, this is likely to sell for many a holiday season to come featuring as it does not only one of the big selling acts in gospel praise but also a bevy of guest vocalists including Matthew Ward (he of the extraordinary 2nd Chapter Of Acts chops), Jonathan Butler, Marvin Winans, CeCe Winans and more. Happily, 'A Timeless Christmas' avoids the worst excesses of the Yuletide genre and after a rather unnecessary and grandiose intro featuring Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker Suite" features a number of Israel Houghton originals such as "Everybody Knows", "Hark" and "Least Of These" (the latter seguing into the mainstream evergreen "Put A Little Love In Your Heart"). The "Christmas Worship Medley" was rather exhausting but throughout Israel and guests are in fine voice. New Breed play impeccably too. As I said, you'll be hearing this for quite a few Christmases in the future.

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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