Reviewed by Martin I Smith

Trinidad born singer Headley has had success both as an R&B artist and as a Broadway star. Now 'Audience Of One' finds her making the transition to gospel music, or a return to be more accurate. The record is a harkening back to the roots of her career, a time when she sang in the little church above which she lived to the only audience she had - God. In her worshipful return, she is assisted by the Grammy Award winning producer Keith Thomas and the record is rendered with enough finesse to fuel a fine art project. The album's instrumentation consists of a varied smorgasbord of strings and keys, and while you can hear her R&B stylistic influences ("I Wish") the record freely departs from such leanings, carrying the music into symphonic crescendos ("I Need Thee Every Hour") and minimalist laments ("Running Back To You"). The question of vocal quality is moot, Heather's performance is stunning and hearing her alongside gospel star Smokie Norful for a cover of the Commodores' "Jesus Is Love" is an absolute treat. If one felt compelled to criticise, with a strain you could note that the lyrical flow of some songs could do with tweaking. But that is a minor complaint. 'Audience Of One' is a grand gospel debut and a bubbling release of passionate worship.

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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