Andrae Crouch - Mighty Wind

Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

Celebrating 40 years in the business and a complete legend, Andrae Crouch returns with 'Mighty Wind' which continues to demonstrate what has always made him a class act. Everything you've ever loved about Crouch is here on this album. There are fine vocal performances from an array of vocal talent helping out. There are fine instrumentalists helping create a funky blend of '70s funk and gospel, there are beautiful slow slinky worshipful ballads and throughout, Crouch's talents as a gospel writer are firmly illustrated. He invented this style of contemporary gospel and now he shows why he's the world's best! Highlights include the opening "I Was Glad" with a fine vocal performance from longtime Crouch collaborator Tata Vega and some fine guitar work from Errol Cooney. Talking of old sidekicks, there are appearances from sidekicks like Abraham Laboriel, Chester Thompson and Greg Phillinganes on three tracks so perhaps it's not surprising that this sounds like Crouch at his late '70s peak. Artists who were hugely influenced by Crouch turn up here and there as Marvin Winans pops in for "All Because Of Jesus" and Fred Hammond introduces his unique vocalising for "O Give Thanks". Some of the smooth ballads are a complete delight so you get Crystal Lewis singing the majestic "We Give You Glory" quickly followed by the superb "Come Home" where the mix between lead vocals and backing vocal group is pure classic Crouch. Long time Crouch fans will love this and it's fresh enough to introduce a whole new generation to a master musician and songwriter. Only one thing grates and that is the fake intro and crowd added into the start of a couple of songs. Not sure what this is meant to achieve since this is clearly a studio effort. Only a minor quibble though since this is such a superb effort.