Style: Choir-backed gospel; compare to Fred Hammond, Tamela Mann, Hezekiah Walker
Top tracks: “I Came,” “Keep Holding On,” “Praise You Forever”
When the pastoral rasp of gold-selling gospel artist Marvin Sapp repeatedly cries out “Yes to your will” on “Comfort Zone,” one of twelve stellar live tracks on the ex-Commissioned singer’s latest CD, it’s easy to see how the gospel star persuaded recent mainstream charts with his spirited R&B sensibilities. Backed by an on-fire choir, whose mighty voices hit every musical mark with the precision of a tight brass section (best exampled on “Fresh Wind” and “Wait”), Sapp brings each cut to life with authentic interplay between the crowd and band. And though his performance may not newly revolutionize gospel music, Sapp inspirationally communicates his heart “live” from start to finish.
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