Reviewed by Tony Cummings

This of course is the BIG ONE for Christendom's most renowned Italian American. SERIOUS money from EMI has been poured in, the accountants will be looking for platinum plus sales, and what little oP Cross Rhythms thinks about Carman's first studio album for three years probably won't cause too many emergency board meetings. But we were a tad disappointed. There's no new musical surprises here and some of the engaging eclecticism has disappeared, Carman concentrating on his three most popular modes, power-house rapper, re-interpreter of black gospel anthems, and singer of rather lachrymose MOR ballads. What IS heartening, is the bold use of the 'J' word, in fact for an album which in the States is to be marketed heavily into the secular market, there's no hint of the lyrical cop-outs which have accompanied much of the R&B gospel crossovers. Standouts? Well, the opening rapper "Who's In The House" is pretty funky despite its occasional lapses into cliche, the black gospel "Everybody Praise The Lord", a joyful anthemic opus while "Marchin' And Movin'" is probably the best dance track.

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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