Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

Since the advent of rock'n'roll, whites have stolen, sanitised and re-recorded black music and run off with the profits. But few white groups have managed to catch the heart of a musical form in the way that the Oslo Gospel Choir have got their Nordic souls around black gospel. Taking Andrae Crouch as their inspiration, 'Get Up' is wonderful stuff. Whether pumping away on the full choir numbers like "Real Love" or breathing peace into tired souls with the gentle "Heaven" this is tasty to the max. The Oslo's devotion to Crouch's old repertoire has paid off as he produces and arranges a number of songs on the album and Abraham Laboriel comes along for the ride with his magnificent bass. So you get Crouch's trademark of classy lead vocals and oodles of tight punchy harmonies over a slab of funky rhythms. A number of different vocalists take the lead but Grethe Svensen stands out with her rousing rendition of Andrae's "Jesus Is Lord" which equals the original version. Listen to this, close your eyes and tell me that these blonde Norwegians haven't got the chops. And I'll tell you need your ears washing out!

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