Reviewed by Shireen Qureshi

'Live In Memphis' at last pulls back on the lush production overkill. Ironically Phil Nicholas almost excuses himself for not giving the album a more produced sound. "This album is not contrived...but excuse y'all we just had church." Firstly there is a choir singing acappella, a traditional hymn. Then, almost tongue-in-cheek, they rock you out of your seat with a fantastic funky saxophone accompanied by a hard and heavy bass-line. From then on the atmosphere becomes electric, and Phil's monologue on right relationships is easily received as preaching and exhortation. A re-make of Andrae Crouch's "Can't Nobody Do Me Like Jesus" brings in the real black gospel church. Although there are still the contrived strings arrangement, on the tepid track - "Jesus Christ Is The Way", overall this album exudes soul. Investigate.

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