Reviewed by Tony Cummings

A new day for Paul alright. After many years of fronting award winning quartet The Christianaires he's released this surprise solo debut. Those devotees of The Christianaires' old school, foot stomping exercises in church wrecking don't have to worry. 'A New Day' is very much pitched at the group's following with production and songs that could have been plucked from previous decades. Not that is necessarily a bad thing. Paul's exceptional voice, wheezingly harsh one second, velvety smooth the next, is clearly able to upset the saints on old style call-and-response numbers like the opener "My Redeemer Lives" and "I Made It Through" both of which exude the swagger of an artist who clearly knows his strengths. Another standout is the lugubrious ballad "You're Blessed" has some of the most righteous testifying up there with the Clouds' Joe Liggon. Cream of the crop here is "If There's No Tomorrow" where Paul is joined by that amazing crossover gospel pioneer Rance Allen. To hear them swapping improvised asides and octave leaps on the bluesy mid tempo song of faith is to long-in-the-tooth soul boys like me a rare feast. If you've looking for old time gospel, Paul's your man.

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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