Come Sunday by Allen & Allen

Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

The sticker on the front bears the legend, "The Inspirational Jazz duo of the year" and this is not mere hyperbole but rather a sound judgment of a highly talented couple of guys! Bruce V Allen and Allen T Wiggins mix elements of jazz, funk, urban soul, rap and gospel and it comes up sounding sensational! Fresh, creative and exciting and a million miles away from the ear candy of so many Christian releases. This has attitude and bounces out of your speakers demanding respect! Jazzy piano from Bruce and the sassiest sax from Allen mean that there really is a jazz funk heaven. Sometimes mellow and beautiful as on 'Tears Of Joy", sometimes loud 'n' proud as on the funk workout "Higher". Daryl Coley lends his awesome vocal chords to the project on the slow brooding funk of "Come Sunday" and the legendary Albertina Walker tosses in some harmonies and bvs on the big band tinted "You Don't Know" which swings, man! Possibly the coolest release of 1996, if you like all things jazzy then you have just got to wrap your lugs round this wonderful album. Let's hope CGI get UK - representation soon.