Harborwood speaks loudly with its second release in the Quiet Times series. Volume 2 features Gospel family saxophonist Donald Hayes.

Hayes has previously been featured in the background with John P. Kee, Stevie Wonder and Yolanda Adams, but this time it’s all about him.

This project that delivers ten hymns and favorites from the church done Hayes’ way is a pure treat. From the hymn standard “Blessed Assurance” to the funky syncopated Walter Hawkins' hit “God Will Take Care of You” Hayes’ splendor is evident on each of the tunes on Quiet Times 2.

The traditional “Great is Thy Faithfulness” is pretty much kept that way. B-3 accompaniment by Shedrick Mitchell takes a run at the lead midway through in a delightful tradeoff. “I Love the Lord” by Hayes’ contemporary Richard Smallwood is an even, uncluttered ride climaxing in a heartfelt cry out to the heavens. If you’ve never heard a saxophone used to worship, hang out to the very end of this tune and witness it.

“I Don’t Feel No Ways Tired”, that James Cleveland made famous (actually written by Curtis Burrell), is given a creative spin. Other highlights are Walter Hawkins’ “Jesus Christ is the Way” and Thomas Whitfield’s “Word from the Lord”.

There just aren’t words to describe Hayes’ adaptation of these already crucial tunes. The character that the reed instruments lend already adds a dimension that is much like the human voice, but it still takes a master to craft the wind around them to make them speak.

Donald Hayes has the Master’s touch, the Breath of Life and it’s purely a pleasure to listen to him.