Reviewed by Stephen Adams

This CD appears to be the next in line in a series of modern gospel compilations, with this instalment sporting names such as Virtue, Sounds Of Blackness, Donnie McClurkin, Kirk Franklin and others. The CD opens with the song "Strength" by The New Life Community Choir featuring John P Kee, which bounces with a neo Parliament funk feel, yet sounds slightly dated in places. We then stop at the mid-tempo groove of "Hold On (Change Is Comin')" courtesy of Sounds Of Blackness. Donnie McClurkin's "I Do, I Do", is a love song to God set to R&B production which works quite well, while the stripped-down, poignancy of Tonéx's "Real With U" lets you hear the heart of a man who longs to live right and honestly before God. We're then hit with some seriously funky live workouts from the likes of Fred Hammond, Hezekiah Walker and Walter Hawkins, while the ubiquitous Kirk Franklin hits us with one of his slower, more traditional numbers with "Silver And Gold" and the delicious melodies and arrangements he conjures up. However, the standout song for me has to be Deitrick Haddon's "This Happiness", which is an R&B/neo-soul flavoured cut with fantastic arrangements. Despite the only misstep here being the Vanessa Bell Armstrong offering from 1987, which shows its age among all the other contemporary tracks, this is a worthwhile purchase for fans of gospel in its various permutations. And for £6.99 as well!

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