Pastor Rudolph McKissick Jr. & the Word and Worship Mass Choir - 'What a Time!'

If you're a fan of gospel, you'll enjoy a few of the songs from What a Time!. If not, you'll be left completely in the dark. This is not gospel at its best.

McKissick claims his goal is to "bridge the gap between denominations, ages and worships styles', weaving traditional church hymns with contemporary, R&B, and urban beats". I don't think he made it. It's not that it's bad, but it tends to lean toward some of the genre's weaknesses, from my point of view. Some songs, like "You'll Come Out Alright" and "Stand", get somewhat repetitive and deteriorate into what can only be described as sustained yelling. I'm all for a heartfelt freeform jam in the spirit, and "Glory to His Name" and "Sweet Jesus" take me there easily. "Glory and Honor" has a nice island feel to it, and "Psalm 46" is a moving portrayal of the powerful truths of that psalm. "I Want to Say Thank You" is a rocking and exuberant celebration of gratitude with soloist Cheryl Johnson-Davis leading the way into some great harmonies. It's hard to keep your feet still with the great energy on that one. "At Your Feet" with Valerie Hill, builds into a satisfying crescendo of truth and worship. But "What a Time," the title track, a traditional standard remade by Grammy winner Kevin Bond, falls short. While it does contain some funky guitar riffs, ultimately it fails to deliver. If you're looking to discover a good gospel music experience, there are better places to start.