Reviewed by Rob Birtley

Hailing from Houston singer/songwriter and R&B artist Jimmy Needham has never fit the standard stylistic template of a CCM artist delivering as he does an eclectic blend of R&B, jazz and pop. 'Vice & Virtue' is Jimmy's seventh album and came with Needham in the midst of internal crisis, an overwhelming sense that he just wasn't measuring up spiritually. A well-known quote from Pastor Timothy Keller led him to asking a series of self-searching questions and his reflections have resulted in this album. The opening title track poses that eternal question just how much of our virtue is self-serving and how much truly serves the Lord, set against a heavy R&B soundtrack. Next up is "Thank You", which reminds this listener of early Michael Jackson and is the album's most radio accessible track. A number of tracks stand out including "All We Need Is Need", "Only You" and "Sirens", the latter featuring the Quebe Sisters. The songsmith asks questions and charts the path of his walk with God throughout the album. "Forever And Ever Amen" (originally written and recorded by country star Randy Travis) may seem an odd choice for this album but given the full R&B brass/Hammond treatment and gospel harmonies it slips in seamlessly. "The Story (A Spoken Word)" charts the creation, the fall and resurrection in the form of a rap and is stunning. A highly original work.

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