Reviewed by Peter Dilley

The UK's award-winning ragga artist is very much a man with a mission and some bold messages. As Watchman says on the first track: "I don't care, what the people they say/Modern day Christendom, give modern day praise/No I don't care, what the people they do/Modern day Christendom coming live at you." And he doesn't stop there. On the title cut he claims back "ragga from the gun shooting yardy brother/Redeem the garage from the boy in jail eating porridge" as contemporary forms of gospel music, seeing opportunities that "This is the time like never before/Gospel music playing mainstream radio." A few tracks later, "Materialistic" offers some sharp comment on those caught up in lives dominated by getting and spending money. But it isn't all polemic - "Opposites Can Attract" (featuring Abigail Williams) is a testimony to the life-changing effects of salvation on close human relationships, summed up in its chorus: "Opposites can attract/Blessed by God, no turning back/Coz I'm lost in your love, heart and mind/Lost in your love, ex-thug of mine." Watchman's approach might perhaps be too 'in yer face' for some, but no-one can question his passion and commitment.

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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