Reviewed by Paul Kinvig

There are some things in this life that remain unchanged, the rising of the sun, rain in Manchester, sheep in Wales and a brilliant BeBe & CeCe Winans album. I remember 18 months ago being introduced to these two by a certain Tony Cummings of this parish - that baptism being the track "Heaven". My opinion of them today remains the same as it did then ~ sheer inspiration. What we have here is an album of 12 tracks which stand head and shoulders above any black gospel I've heard since the last BeBe & CeCe. It appears as if they've cornered the market on soul-wrenching ballads and grooves with more dancability than an army of ants with access to Ben Johnson's medicine cupboard. 'Different Lifestyles is a slightly mellower album than 'Heaven', even the track "Blood" which features your friend and mine MC Hammer is not the rampaging 48-strong, trouser-inflating cudgel to the head that you'd expect it to be, what we actually have is MC Hammer admitting to the world of his need of the blood of Jesus. The musical heavyweights on this album are frightening but what pleases me the most is the overt nature of the lyrics. There's no "Baby Baby's" on this one. Sit back, put on the headphones, get a big mug of Maxwell House, settle back and listen to CLASS.

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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