Reviewed by Tony Cummings

For those still labouring under the misapprehension that Britain's black church can only produce tambourine playing choirs or Cosmic Love would-be crossover artists, this debut album from a lady who's been singing around Midlands churches since age eight will make jaws drop. 'Friends' makes no apologies in its spiritual content yet puts itself firmly in the contemporary pop and dance arena. And here's an album which utterly transcends its tiny budget and demonstrates that the way to make great accessible-to-the-mainstream gospel isn't necessarily achieved by throwing ludicrous amounts of money against the wall. Producer Kevin Edwards wisely allows Tracey's rich velvety contralto to take centre spotlight and proven by her accapella fragment of "Amazing Grace" the opener Tracey's huskily soulful voice is more than capable of keeping every listeners' attention. But there's plenty here to satisfy the demands for the Sounds Of Today. Whether you groove to the near house beat of "Never Gonna Look Back" (complete with fun snatches of some slowed-down rap) dance to joyful Paul Kinvig of "Celebration" or relax to the MOR-pop ballad "Security" (crying our for US Christian radio play), there are lots of good songs here and a voice which is utterly captivating. Now go buy it.

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