Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Mel is a well known session musician whose soulful soprano, alto and tenor saxophones have been featured on a stream of R&B and pop hits. He now takes this opportunity to step into the spotlight as a soloist while also using this release to demonstrate his Christian faith. There are fluid renditions of R Kelly's "I Believe I Can Fly", Fred Hammond's "Glory To Glory To Glory" as well as some originals with titles like "Instrument Of Praise" and "Giving My All". Throughout his playing is inventive and relentlessly soulful and if the arrangements are a tad stylised that's usual in these days of fusion jazz commercially. There are also a couple of guest vocalists. South Africa's Jonathan Butler and underrated US gospel man Bob Bailey. All in all a classy concoction for those up for instrumental gospel-cum-R&B-cum-jazz.

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.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.