Most real soul seekers know that more often than not the best place to find it these days is in the catalogues of the US indie gospel labels and Sheffield’s MIKE WARD’S Inda Soul set up is currently promoting three gospel sets that amongst them boast some fine modern soul music. First up is ‘The Cries Of A Sinner’ from INDIANA NORFLEET, which though suffering, in places from underproduction, offers one great modern soul tune in the shape of ‘I Can’t Do Without You Lord’. The young Chicagoan has a fine, warm, emotive soul voice and the tune’s one that could cross over. For more information go to www.myspace.com/indiananorfleet. Second set is the sophomore album from JOHNNY SANDERS. ‘God Said’ probably proffers too much testifying for the average soul fan, but the young TV Gospel show host has a great voice – heard to best effect on the sweet ballad ‘I’ve Been Redeemed’ while the uptempo ‘ If God, Be God’ might set feet tapping despite the heavy lyric. Investigate more at www.digstation.com/johnnysanders . Finally there’s ‘Truth Is The Light’ from the BLESSED ONES – a gospel choir from North Carolina. Again the ensemble’s enthusiasm makes up for the underproduction. The reflective ‘Why Is The World Like This’ is the cut that stands out while anoraks should know that group founder WILLIE D FEASTER was/is WILLIE from the All Platinum band, WILLIE AND THE MIGHTY MAGNIFICENTS.
