Reviewed by Chris Berry

Not the US black gospel team who had an album out via Travail a little while back. This team is British rock gospel. The fact that this album is out at all is down to the band's inspiration, Simon Gaines. Faced with the problem of losing their bass player last year, Simon searched out a new recruit. The result is that the band are back with a tape that showcases 14 songs, of which only one is a cover (the Who's "Can't Explain"). The album gets off to an energetic start with "More To Life" and its best moment is another fast-moving com­position "Mr Normal" which echoes a little of an early Jam style. There are ballads too, "True Love Never Dies" being a more gentle number sung with affection by Simon. On the whole though, the album is let down by sub-standard recording and production technique. Freedom have a quirky staccato influence which gives them a different, unique feel to anything else Leeds has to offer - they just need to package it better

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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