Reviewed by Tom Lennie

Jason is a fascinating Cuban-born pastor who in the 1970s made a name for himself in the mainstream writing songs for acts like Chuck Jackson and the Moments and singing on the 1975 hit "Shame Shame Shame" by Shirley & Co. Now he leads a church in New Jersey and this studio album was released in 2003 and shows this distinctive Latin edge. Within that genre, the disc sees Jason attempt various divergent styles, some to good effect, others less so. The opening "Amen, Amen" is something of a light-jazz cabaret-type song - and as such sounds slightly insipid. The old but currently highly popular hymn "It Is Well" comes over in similar manner, though it does hold considerable emotion. More effectively, Alvarez attempts some rootsy blues in "Pulling Down Strongholds" - "Eat your heart out B B King" as he teasingly quips during the instrumental break. Meanwhile the following track finds Jason singing falsetto to a gentle soul number, giving an overall feel of Minnie Ripperton and "Loving You"! A couple of tracks make it on both this and the 'We Will Glorify' album - though they're clearly different recordings, "Te Quiero", for example, being a more chilled-out interpretation. Fascinating.

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