Reviewed by Tim Holden

Grammy-winning producer Steven Ford (Richard Smallwood, Stephen Hurd) is at the helm for Philadelphia-based Conrad's second gospel outing. The result is an outstanding album. Gone is the slightly formulaic approach of his debut and in comes a stunning horn section, multi-layered arrangements and richly emotive vocals. The first single, "I Need You", would not be out of place in the Blues Brothers and really drives along and sits beautifully alongside a stripped bare arrangement of "Amazing Grace" that gives space and time for these wonderful lyrics to really sink in, all delivered with Conrad's smooth-as-silk delivery. Conrad expressed his desire that people be encouraged and uplifted by the lyrics and 'Keep Pressing' certainly does that with the accompaniment of some top rate musicianship.

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