The Rose of Gospel (CD - 2005)

Personnel: Dorinda Clark-Cole (vocals); Errol Cooney (guitar); Eddie Brown (strings, organ); Asaph Ward (strings, keyboards, synthesizer); Doug Moffet (tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone); Mike Haynes , Steve Patrick (trumpet); Barry Green (trombone); Michael Bereal (piano, Fender Rhodes piano, organ); Kevin L. Gray (piano); Ethan Farmer (bass guitar); Chris "Fonk Nasty" Johnson (drums); Jeane Lavant, LaJimmease Murray Jones, Daniel Johnson (background vocals).

Audio Mixer: John Jaszcz.

Recording information: Miralex Joint, Kansas City, MO; St. Agnes Baptist Church, Houston, TX; The Love Shack.

Introduction bys: Elijah "Double Portion" Lewis; Kevin L. Gray.

Recorded live in St. Agnes Baptist Church in Houston, ROSE OF GOSPEL captures Dorinda Clark-Cole doing what she does best: ministering for the Lord with her powerful set of pipes. Clark-Cole is backed by a full band here, and while there are modern stylistic flourishes (such as the Miami electro-dance vibe on "Great is the Lord" and the hip-hop-flavored funk of "Work to Do"), the singer is at her best on old-school gospel rave-ups like "So Many Times." The sheer force and range of Clark-Cole's voice make this a contemporary gospel record to notice. minimize