Recorded live in front of an enthusiastic congregation at Jackson, Mississippi's Jackson City Auditorium, this disc gives a roof-raising sampling of the vocal and musical machine that is the Mississippi Mass Choir. The album also provided the blueprint for a string of commercially successful albums subsequently released by the Grammy-nominated choir.
The opening track features inspired vocal work from guest vocalists Rev. Milton Biggham, Huey Williams, and Rev. James Moore and from choir member Desarie Johnson. Whenever the 100-plus-member Mississippi Mass Choir adds a blast of backing vocals, the results are positively earthshaking. An extremely talented backing band lays down thick layers of bass-busy funk, further bolstering these tracks. Highlights include the nine-minute "Near the Cross" and the rousing "Having You There." If you're looking for a can't-miss gospel album, this is the place to go.