Reviewed by Tony Cummings

The marvellous hip hop "I'm A Winans Too" kind of sums up where this album is coming from. "Much respect to the Winans, and BeBe and CeCe, but we are Phase 2, I got to be me," raps one of the brothers. And certainly, anyone suspicious that the lads only landed a record contract in the first place was because of their famed surname will be impressed with their fresh take on R&B gospel. Make no mistake, Winans Phase 2 are looking to establish their own original identity and offer an artful set of funky R&B grooves and sweet soul ballads all nimbly produced by Narada Michael Walden (three tracks); Rodney Jenkins and Loren Dawson (three tracks); Gene Rubin (two tracks); Cedric and Victor Caldwell (two tracks) and Jerry Moss and Paul D Allen (one track). Considering the bevy of producers and the fact that the group don't do much songwriting, there is a surprising continuity, and the fluid harmonies and choppy street rhythms keep you listening. Even their unlikely cover of the Bee Gees' "Too Much Heaven" comes off. An album to definitely establish the latest batch from that startling gospel dynasty.

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