::ALBUM REVIEW::

If you have to own just one revolutionary artifact in the history of contemporary gospel music that has ministered to generations with great levels of influence, then "Love Alive" should be your answer. This landmark project, recorded and released in 1975, literally changed the paths of direction for gospel music and led the genre into a mode of progression unlike none other before its release. It formally introduced the music ministries of the Hawkins Family to the world and gave us a distinctive peek at the musical genius of songwriter/musician and singer Walter Hawkins. Also captured on this groundbreaking project is the vocal aggregation of the Love Center Choir, whom would appear on all of the releases within the popular Love Alive series.

"Follow Me" moves with grace with its innovative contemporary drive and powerful choir staccato phrasing. Then comes the creative "Dear Jesus, I Love You"; which features an awesome solo delivery from Lynette Hawkins-Stephens and lyrically opens up in letter form. It's a different approach barely used in gospel and remains a sentimental piece of musical brilliance in Hawkins' music library. It also features a gorgeous melody and passionate harmonies from the Love Center Choir. Jessy Dixon's "God Is Standing By", also led by Hawkins-Stephens, drives home a mean, bluesy groove layered with gutsy organ whirls. The popular call-and-response system is used throughout the song - even in the surprising, infectious churchy warmup. It is at this point in the song when Hawkins-Stephens delivers her trademark gritty and earthy adlibs - which publicly debuts in gospel for the first time to marvelous acclaim. "I'm Not The Same", one of the album's strongest ballads, is eloquently captured with soulful chord changes and moving lyrical direction. Funky grooves and pepprered phrasing, along with the serenading "la-la-la-la" entrance, creates the heartbeat of the soulish gem of "I Won't Be Satisfied". Walter Hawkins' effortless, tour de force vocal performance charms the moving cut.

But it is the incomparable Tramaine Hawkins that sends the album into sudden popularity with her solo work on two of the album's grandest highlights. "Changed", one of Walter Hawkins' most respected and well-recognized compositions, captures the heart of a poet both lyrically and musically with its beautiful melody and life-altering movements. When the vamp enters into the picture, Tramaine pours out gorgeous adlibs and stamps her angelic soprano voice into the colorful musical display. A robust choir, along with the Hawkins Family in the forefront, help to bring powerful effects to the movements of the song; creating a wonderful creation of gospel nitro. "Goin' Up Yonder", the other highlight mentioned, is a joyous simple creation featuring a few of the familiar structures found in Edwin Hawkins' universal hit, "Oh Happy Day". The song possess celebratory qualities and demonstrates the beauty of Tramaine Hawkins' confident and stylistic vocals.

You can best believe half of these songs will be resting in a bulk of hymnals in years to come. Two of which are found in the popular "Songs of Zion" songbook. Remarkably, "Love Alive" has maintained its imminent presence in the halls of gospel album collections and continues to define the brilliance of an era that helped thrust needed changes into the foundations of contemporary gospel music. This only proves how powerful Hawkins music really is.