This exciting, eclectic R&B-driven soundtrack to the HBO film features a mix of classic jazz performances and some of the best sounds coming out of modern pop-gospel music these days. It opens with the lively and spirited "King" (sung by Darwin Hobbs and Karen Clark-Sheard), rolls on through a rousing vocal choir take on "Gotta Serve Somebody" (led by Beverly Crawford), and includes chestnuts like "Walking My Baby Back Home" (Nat "King" Cole) and the irrepressible "Swing Low, Sweet Cadillac" by Dizzy Gillespie. Kirk Franklin's "Revolution" typifies today's power gospel approach, while "Rain" (by Montrel Darrett) dips sweetly into the old-school soul flavor for a mellow and dreamy effect. BeBe Winans, Marvin L. Winans, and Stevie Wonder get into the act on the funky, sweeping anthem "Jesus Children of America," which features Wonder's harmonica in addition to vocals. This is one of those great soundtracks that works just splendidly without any visuals. Highly recommended for the type of people who would head out and buy the WOW Gospel sampler. ~ Jonathan Widran, Rovi
