::ALBUM REVIEW::

With eight seasons of American Idol already sealed in American history and whimper-like rumors of the show’s crumbling effects with its sudden drop of viewers, its competition hasn’t been so lucky to cash in on the ten seconds of fame. Counting the long list of talent shows, regardless of what network it aired, is as time consuming than counting the roster on Zomba. Not even Nashville Star or TBN’s Gifted has been able to match the non-yielding powers of the great Idol (no pun intended). And while BET’s gospel version of Idol - Sunday Best - was wedged in between some dark and degrading programming like Hot Ghetto Mess or American Gangster and even sparking the Enough Is Enough protest, there might be some light at the end of the tunnel with the results of Shari Addison’s debut project on Zomba Gospel. On her self-titled project, the likable runner-up from the first season remains true to the traditional gospel roots she revved in on the cable talent show. No better way for Addison to present herself in a more up-to-date and soulful caliber than to have Grammy-award winning Kevin Bond producing the project. Guest contributors on production include gospel greats Donald Lawrence, Percy Bady and Daniel Witherspoon.

With fine use of her big churchy pipes, Addison is adept vocally throughout the ten-track collection and loses no steam in her personality regardless of the change of musical style. That seems to be the biggest complaints about Idol-like album releases; in that it lacks the personality shown on the live stage from most contestants. But Addison has no problem bubbling with her warmhearted spirit and passion for singing. She may be a runner-up in a talent search, but she comes off like she’s a proficient veteran.

She walks through the Karen Clark-Sheard inspired “Whateva” (think of “Only Call On Jesus”) with radiance and the buoyant vibes of “I Praise You” gives her such a funky groove that it allows her to become just as charismatic as Vickie Winans. Sure to be a gospel radio hit, “No Battle, No Blessing” features Bond’s signature moves and bears a few reminders of Yolanda Adams’ “In the Midst of It All” but with loads of Addison’s interjected Sunday morning energy. She walks into the choral-embedded “One More Sunny Day,” penned by Donald Lawrence, and plays alongside the color-by-number strategy of Thomas Whitfield’s power ballads. With her rousing and mightily convincing vocals, Addison demonstrates a kind of warmth that gels easily with the song’s message of thankfulness. Another major highlight on the disc is the standout remake of James Cleveland’s 1979 hit “Please Make Me Better” from the It's A New Day double-LP. The song builds up in the same manner of the original; highlighted with random horn blasts and working into a cool church disco beat. When the vamp enters, the energetic ad-libs and belting pipes are perfectly placed and the dance floor is set for its listeners to cut a step. Even towards the back of the disc, Addison doesn’t disappoint on the reaffirming “You Can Rise,” the upbeat quartet-styled “Can’t Make It Without You” and “He Does All Things Well.” While her debut isn’t a total traditional gospel experience, Addison adds a careful smidgen of churchy spice to every style submitted to her - even if it’s a worship ballad like “You Know My Heart” - and it works for her. Some may have predicted this kind of record to come from Addison. Seemed like regardless of what song you gave her on Sunday Best, she gave it with soul - that Sunday morning Chicago kind of soul.

Cutting into the formulaic history of Idol alum album releases, Sunday Best also desired for Zomba to drop two albums from both the winner and runner-up on the same week. The biggest question fans of the show are asking about Shari Addison since her album drop isn’t if she will have a place in the gospel industry years from now, but if she can prove she’s the audience voted wrong. Just on vocals and personality alone, Addison definitely has already sealed her place in the halls of traditional and contemporary gospel. Regardless of genre, not many reality-TV shows get this kind of results from their winners when the albums drop. Addison - a first for in gospel - gets it right. If only it the very brief project was a tad bit longer and not as predictable.