Reviewed by Martin I Smith

With a Grammy in pocket and top hits on the Hot Gospel Songs radio chart, Donald Lawrence releases his third album on the back of a well established career. With such a backdrop, an artist can either choke from pressure, or allow their secure status to ease them into a relaxed creative flow, and clearly Lawrence isn't feeling burdened by past successes. Stating that the record is meant to take you back a couple decades to the time of live musicians and live organic vocals, 'YRM' does just that - it is free, loose and fun, indulging in soul grooves that are relished by all involved. Lawrence's smooth vocals are themselves in top form, although some of his contributions feel superfluous over the top of the prominent choral singers. The only major caveat is a theological one; Lawrence is a supporter of the contentious Word of Faith movement, which teaches that believers have a special authority - that there are spiritual laws such that, what we declare to be the case, will in fact come to be so if we don't doubt it. These teachings are visible in the lyrics, eg, "Confess I AM to turn lack into wealth/The heavens respond, the universe obeys when you say I AM/What we speak will be established, what we bind and what we loose is bound and loosed in Heaven." There is much to enjoy here musically, but listeners ought to be discerning of the message.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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