Reviewed by Phil Thomson

There is something naive about a saxophonist fronting first a choir, then an entire orchestra, then breaking out with the spoken word (Marvin Boatman's "Prayer") before rambling on into a piano-supported suite or two which leads absolutely nowhere. The cover claim is that it is 'Encouragement for Believers, Inspiration for All'. Forget that. This is an excuse to take second rate music and bless it up, or should that be dress it up. It just doesn't work. Some of the pieces are interspersed with gospelly soap-ad harmonies, but it is all pretty half-hearted - using covers of Kirk Franklin ("Now Behold The Lamb"), Winans ("Tomorrow"), The Commodores ("Jesus Is Love") etc. Look, it's an acquired taste. Track nine opens with these deliberately paced words "You are being blessed by the sounds of saxophonist Phillip Solomon Stewart as he ministers music under God's anointing". There follows an excruciating attempt to whip things up with some quasi funk rap stuff. Admittedly, there are a few ponderously sensitive moments - Yolanda Adams' "Open My Heart" for instance - but overall the album is hard work. And how come the prayers sound as if they have been delivered over the phone?

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