::ALBUM REVIEW::

Judith Christie-McAllister has established herself as a commanding presence in both the praise-and-worship and gospel community. As a songwriter, artist, singer and a triumphant worship leader, Christie-McAllister has proven throughout her visible timeline to launch into great levels of excellence and greatness. Her incredible submissions of praise-and-worship recorded at West Angeles COGIC in the "Saints In Praise" volumes (Sparrow) practically introduced us to the growing sub-genre of Christian music. From that moment on, she launched into her individual projects on her Judah Music label and proved to be some of the greatest independent gospel projects in years. Now, with a little time off from her previous release, Christie-McAllister has bounced forward with "In His Presence"; her partnership project with the fledging Artemis Gospel label that was recorded at her new church home - Cathedral of Praise COGIC in Nashville, TN.

On board this time around is the commanding skills of keyboardist Michael Bereal (Alaska Mass Choir, Norman Hutchins) whom handles the bold task of production. Without Jason White, which is a definite surprise. But Bereal delivers, along with a mighty crew of talented musicians including Jonathan Dubose (guitar), Jimmy Neuble (bass), Michael Neuble (drums) and Eddie Brown on the organ. As Christie-McAllister always does, the addition of excellent background session singers including Troy Bright, David Daughtery and Markita Knight prepares the way for yet another journey of musical splendor.

Just about every cut is finely assembled and prepared, with punchy instrumentation supporting Christie-McAllister's jubilant lead vocals. The affectionate presence of world music on "We Sing Your Praises" compares to a Disney soundtrack cut. And musically, there's a lot to indulge in here with Dubose creating melodic catches and Bereal delivering creative keyboard sounds. This track also bears familiar traces to "Beautiful Savior", heard on the "Raise The Praise" project, but is a sparkling and very distinguished composition even with those familiar fingerprints. "My Confession" is fashioned in a contemporary gospel choir groove and encompasses a very friendly and exuberant melody sure to create strong attention with listeners. Other fun cuts include her dynamic revisit to "Like The Dew", which contains a funky follow-up reprise that charges the singers through a series of scorching modulations, and the celebratory-fashioned "I Live To Worship". But it is the mesmeric "Expressions From My Soul" medley that shines the greatest. It opens with "Bless Thou The Lord Oh My Soul", a midtempo traditional arrangement of the John Sweney/William Kirkpatrick anthem. Then "Bless The Lord Oh My Soul", an energetic dance tune emerges filled with interpolative rhythms and spicy horn blazes from Lloyd Barry's infamous horn crew. The song morphs through several engaging modulations and then scatters into a neat vamp that is accented with punchy staccato phrasing from the background vocals. Christie-McAllister tends to pull back to remembrance the wonderful effort she presented on one of her classic hits, "High Praise", while treating us with more of her zealous passion for God.

Power ballads are also in place here including the engaging "One Thing", which takes its lyrical foundations directly from Psalm 24:7 and Psalm 31:20, and the intimate combinations of the "In His Presence Medley" and "Healing Medley".

When one listens to the final minutes of "In His Presence - Live", leaps of comparisons to her previous musical offerings may develop. If this does happens, the process will be mighty challenging, since the sound, production and quality definitely falls in line with them. Of course, it should be known that the magnitude of "Send Judah First" may be too risky to match, this project comes very close. We all are definitely pleased to know that Christie-McAllister is consistent in being true to her music ministry and shows no sign of changing. Her sound is very recognizable and any alienation from that may result in damaging consequences. That's why she should be honored, for in these times with the major shifts towards commercialized material and multiple shifts towards newly-created genres, Christie-McAllister has proven to be a determined and committed gift to gospel music and the subgenre of praise-and-worship.