Reviewed by Stephen Adams

From my dealings in dance music, I know that Jasper Street Company have a reputation for releasing funky US garage with heavy black gospel influences. Therefore most of the songs on here (produced by the Basement Boys) follow the same instrumental formula – piano, Hammond organ, funky guitar licks and basslines over a pounding US garage beat. Sometimes this yields a slightly dated feel on some of the tracks, but when it works I defy you to keep still. Songs such as the pounding (if theologically incorrect) “God Helps Those (Who Help Themselves)”, the supremely funky “Another Day”, or the classic gospel song “Can’t Stop Praising His Name” which is given a brilliant dancefloor reworking make this CD a compulsory purchase for fans of gospel garage. At times, the tempo is slowed down to give way to some funky R&B, acappella gospel, which gives a nice change of pace from the 135-or-so bpm of the dancefloor tracks, but the dance tracks are definitely Jasper St Co’s forte. My only problem with this CD is the slightly patronising tone of some of the lyrics. Their insistence (in the title song) on referring to God as “The Good Lord” is slightly annoying at times, but that aside, if you’re looking for some funky US garage, Jasper St Company have released a solid project.

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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