Reviewed by Stephen Luff

Jocelyn has been a familiar voice here in the UK since the mid '80s with the top 20 hit "Somebody Else's Guy" and her voice sampled on the "The Power" hit by Snap!. Now living in London, she returns with a gospel worship album which looks back to her church roots in first North Carolina then Brooklyn, New York. 'True Praises' is produced by Nicky Brown (LCGC, Beverly Trotman) and proves the lady has lost none of her exemplary soul power. Just listen to the first 30 seconds of "Sunday Morning", where Jocelyn sings acappella of the joys of the Sabbath, and you will be convinced. Jocelyn keeps the energy going on "Stand Up"(with guest Guva B) but it is fair to say that the album majors on gentler tracks such as hymns "The Old Rugged Cross" (also featuring Lou Fellingham) and "How Great Thou Art", and the duet with Carleen Anderson "Jesus Is All The World To Me". The album just manages to cross the gap between gospel to a more pop sound, but the inclusion of strings on a number of tracks such as "I Will Wait" proved a little too tiresome to these ears, which were hoping for more pumping dance music rhythms than we get here. That said, this is an enjoyable gospel worship set and no one can deny the sense of passionate worship Jocelyn brings to the project.

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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Owner of one of the biggest voices in Soul Music, Jocelyn Brown is a rare commodity: a soul music legend whose heart is as big as her voice.

True Praises sees Jocelyn teaming up with producer Nicky Brown (LCGC, Beverley Trotman, Priscilla Jones-Campbell, One Voice) as well as performing a duet with Lou Fellingham.

Appearing initially as a soloist in Church with various Brooklyn gospel choirs, Jocelyn made the crossover into Disco music early, going on to perform with bands including Kleer, Inner Life and the Salsoul Orchestra. Jocelyn has worked with the best: Quincy Jones, Luther Vandross, George Benson, Roberta Flack, Janis Joplin, Michael Jackson, Gilles Peterson and John Lennon amongst many others.