::ALBUM REVIEW::

Troy Sneed has pushed a number of projects bearing his name and trademarks on both the Savoy and Emtro Gospel label - the latter one he founded back in 2004. Subsequently he was also the label's first artist. But as time faded, it would be obvious that Sneed began to fall in between the cracks and barely reached a broad audience beyond those that formerly knew him of Georgia Mass Choir fame. But the tide has turned over the years and so has Sneed's sound...a sound that works just right for him on "In His Presence"; his second solo musical offering on the Emtro label.

While using the faithful band and crew that has labored beside Sneed from the beginning of his recording career, Sneed has further polished his sound with a cleaner and sophisticated production and has dug into some fresh gospel and praise-and-worship oriented compositions that just might attract both music communities with tasty results.

Opening the album is "I Surrender"; a juicy contemporary groove revisiting the attractive sounds of 80s ol' skool. The song is a joyful experience and is layered with some cool keyboard thrills. Spankin' hot gospel sounds emerge on the sanctimonious "Great Change". You can hear the brilliant, fancy keyboard work from Derriux Edgecomb as he plays in the style of Jason White on uptempo workouts. And while Sneed shines in places and rocks towards the back in other spots due to the heavy rhythms and engaging background vocals, the song is still a heavy-hitter and will surely satisfy the ears of traditional gospel lovers. Alvin Darling's "Never Let Go" is simply penned and exhibits a memorable vibe filled with cute contemporary energy.

A number of infectious ballads are also on board. Bruce Parham steps into the moving ballad, "The Greatest Of The Greatest" and ultimately takes over with overwhelming preaching segments and dynamic worship leading - stretching into an eleven minute adventure. Hearing the high squalls and thick crooning sends waves of Pentecostal punch to the track. Another ten-minute epic, "Because Of You", flows with amusing grace and is highly supported with reflective lyrics. There's even a surprise glimpse of Donnie McClurkin's "At The Mention Of Your Name" attached to the spirited vamp. And while the idea of turning this project into a mega church service experience is observed greatly after hearing both of these never-ending eleven-minute episodes, most of the cuts are carefully edited and posses a respectable flow from each track.

There are a few imbalances observed on "In His Presence". Probably the biggest obstacle one may approach is not how ineffective the songs are, but the slight mistake of labeling this a worship experience when Sneed is most comfortable delivering gospel music. And while the worship-oriented tracks are not badly delivered and reveals a promising future for Sneed in worship leading, he seems to sway back and forth into both camps without seriously positioning his mission and objective for his audience. It's clear when Sneed jumps into the traditional bluesy grooves of "I've Got Joy", which also features Alvin Darling on lead vocals, and "Thank You Jesus" (a song that is befitting for a Dottie Peoples' recording) that hardcore gospel is his strongest passion. Then there's "Lift The Name Of Jesus", which features a bundle of children strangely delivering irritating vocals on the song's opening, that is hard to forgive. Also many listeners may not take unto certain vocal choices by Sneed so easily since at times he sounds too generic in his high register on certain songs and doesn't sound as polished in others.

But don't count those problems to be serious threats. The album is loaded with likeable selections and features crystal-clear production, rousing vocals and dynamic instrumentation. Artistically, Sneed overcomes his previous efforts on this set with a better balance and direction. There's so much more to digest and enjoy here - probably making this Emtro Gospel's greatest trimphant to this date.