Reviewed by Tony May

As a collector of vocal group recordings, I regularly receive various specialist catalogues from the USA. Recently, I've noticed that these stockists of strictly the world's finest have started to recommend First Call (and Take 6) as at least equal to their secular counterparts. Good to see, and well deserved, as both groups have quite devastating technique to prod home their truth-filled lyrics. First Call blend pop, rock and jazz sensibilities into a potent brew, the vocals soar and swoop like an updated 2nd Chapter Of Acts, particularly when Marty McCall is savaging the ceiling a la Matthew Ward. As always, another strength of the group's work is the songwriting - a chore that they share here with some other fine writers. Country buffs will display glee at the names of Alison Krauss and Terry McMillan; aging hippies will remember Steve Cropper's guitar skills (though apparently if you remember the 60s you weren't really there!). Beautiful ballads like "Thank You Lord" show the artist's mellow side, but mainly it's a firework display of great, great harmony singing. Yes, I do know McCall sang in a group called Fireworks! Stop making up your own puns!

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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