Reviewed by Peter Dilley

It always seemed to me that the Wades were an unlikely signing for Kingsway Music, and no less puzzling was why such a hard working act produced so little recorded material. Perhaps the boys' Famecity label and 'A Family Thing' mark a new chapter for the popular soulsters, with over an hour of tunes, grooves and classy vocal harmonies. There's certainly renewed confidence here - 'Come With Me, Come Alive' they sing on musical/spiritual manifesto 'Soul Thing', and likewise 'Family Thing' celebrates the brothers' togetherness in both familial and spiritual senses. 'Shooting For The Moon' is a romantic ballad, but worship/devotional material features more strongly, with Jesus' love as the keynote - reflection and response in 'Friend', an evangelistic clarion call ('Love In A Million Ways'), intimacy with God ('I Worship You'), and simply finding life worth living ("Because Of You"). A series of 3s, "zones" in Dome-like terminology, punctuate the main track out Derek and Lloyd's dialogue in "Condition Of The Heart (Beats Zone)", food for thought without getting preachy. Though a la mode in contemporary R&B, a heavy reliance on programming is arguably a minor weakness - using more "real" instruments might have gained them a truly soulful 10/10 rating.

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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