Reviewed by Tony Cummings

A few years back, around the time the record industry finally decided that ministry music made by white people should be called "Christian music" and that music mostly made by African-Americans should be called "gospel", the major Christian companies in the US joined together to launch two series of albums which all these years on have clocked up impressive sales and has become the MAJOR samplers in both fields. 'WOW Gospel 2017' is the latest in a series which shows no sign of running out of steam or artists and songs to profile. Disc one features hot cuts from Hezekiah Walker, Israel Houghton (ftg Tye Tribbett), Vashawn Mitchell, Fred Hammond and Tamela Mann while Disc two gives us William Murphy, Jekalyn Carr, Tasha Cobbs (ftg Kierra Sheard), Travis Greene and Marvin Sapp. As usual the vocal performances are epic, the songs are a mixed bag ranging from powerful to simplistic and the move from studio slickness to live church abandon can sometimes jar. But such is the case with all the WOW gospel samplers. . . and this is still a pretty good one.

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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