STYLE: World RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 24122- LABEL: Independent FORMAT: CD Album ITEMS: 1
Reviewed by George Luke
One great thing about living in London - and attending a church that has its services in the afternoon - is that I can spend Sunday mornings, if I so desire, discovering the many fellowships that have sprung up to cater for specific ethnic groups in the city. And so on many a Sunday morning, I have enjoyed worshipping at La Comunidad Cristiana de Londres (the Christian Community of London) - one of London's largest Hispanic churches. I mention that because this album sounds not unlike what the worship there sounds like. Jose Manuelle (who, I'm guessing, isn't related to the salsa legend Victor Manuelle) is a Latin Christian singer based in Springfield, Massachusetts (which, I'm guessing, isn't the Simpsons' home town). His album consists of mostly Hillsong-sounding numbers sung in Spanish - songs such as "No Estoy Solo" (I'm Not Alone) and "El Vive" (He Lives). One standout track is "Gloria Alleluya" - a nice salsa-lite worship song, with a couple of rappers tearing it up reggaeton-style in the middle. On the ballads, there's a sense of intimacy in Jose's voice which makes him sound like he was singing straight to God, rather than doing multiple takes into a studio mic.
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.
Interested in reviewing music? Find out
more here.