Reviewed by James Attlee

Rickey places his Chorale firmly in a category in his own line notes - "traditional urban gospel" - indicating that despite contemporary musical settings the gospel music on this album will brook no compromise lyrically. This is the direction followed with great success by artists like The New Jersey Mass Choir, among others. On this album the Chorale have enrolled a master of the genre, Patrick Henderson, who has been at the forefront of contemporary gospel with his own solo projects and has demonstrated his understanding of more traditional styles by his work with the likes of the LA Cathedral Choir. On a track like "Rejoice, He's Worthy", soloist Bernetta Major-Thomas presides over a fine call-and-response gospel workout, while the backing is pure 1990s electronics. Rickey himself has one of the best voices on the circuit today; with an emotional range stretching from a silky soul croon to an impassioned testifyin' shout. On the ballad "Thy Will", he demonstrates that he's not afraid to sing quietly to create a more intimate mood - the track ends on a sustained falsetto note held for a seemingly impossibly long period. The choir arrangements are innovative - while they can rock out in traditional foot-stomping fashion on a track like "Lift The Saviour Up", at other times they are used in a restrained way, like another orchestral colouring. As on previous albums (again begging comparisons with NJMC), Grundy includes praise and worship material - in this case a re-arrangement of "Spirit Of The Living God", and of Psalm 91. If, like me, you find this material slightly less strong, you also get the now obligatory rap on "More Love"; so whether you want to get down or chill out, it's all here. Traditional Urban Gospel, y'all! You know it makes sense.

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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