Reviewed by Andy Cooper

It's been quite a season for Le'Andria Johnson: a homeless single mother from Orlando, Florida, entering the TV gospel talent search Sunday Best, winning it, releasing an album and gaining a Grammy award for best gospel performance! This deluxe edition compiles her debut album and first EP, including a few medleys from the TV show. It's hardly surprising that there are many uplifting and thankful lyrics about overcoming: "I Shall Leap", "Struggle Not" and "It's Gonna Be Alright". But her vocal performance is quite extraordinary: she can truly wail and cry like Aretha Franklin or Shirley Caesar, and add a contemporary edge: I'm sure she could stir even the thickest, coldest porridge with her tonsils alone! And she also brings soul and honesty like Mary J Blige or Beverley Knight. The backing arrangements, with choir and classic keyboard sounds, are constructed to please traditional gospel and R&B fans alike, with extra bass emphasis and strong urban beats. "Sooner Or Later" is a great example of old school arrangements meeting modern production techniques. Apart from Le'Andria not always knowing when to quieten down and show a more subtle side, the whole package is very convincing indeed.

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