Some people just know how to pick hits.

Certainly the folks at JDI Records have been given that gift on the traditional tip, with Rev. Norman Hutchins and Chester D.T. Baldwin among their powerful church-based roster burning up the charts.

Their newest project features Pastor Woodrow Hayden and Shiloh, a name that may not be familiar to some. But that’s not going to stop you from getting your church on. And besides, the way things are going at JDI lately, the unfamiliarity won’t last long.

The project was recorded in July 2000 live in New Orleans at the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in front of a congregation of thousands. With veteran musical director David Blakely on keys, he and band cohorts Jason White, Jimmy Neuble, Germaine Hart and Jerry Henderson ensure just the right power of praise.

Oher JDI Records Projects

Click on the above individual CD images to take you the the respective reviews.

Killer cuts already on church rounds are “I Know It Was The Blood” with guest Chester Baldwin going all out on this, his own arrangement. Baldwin also delivers on “Cast Your Cares” and is joined by Rev. Norman Hutchins on the all too brief reprise.

The rousing foot-stomper “Look Unto Jesus”, with Hutchins joining Pastor Hayden on the cut also has staying power, pulling out the churchy punches with abandon.

On “He’ll Answer Prayer” Shiloh’s Minister of Music Keithen Jones brings strong vocals out front as the song begins by incorporating “Jesus Is On The Mainline” before improvising into a horns-filled, piano-pounding glory.

Let’s hear it for “It’s Morning Time”, perhaps one of the sleepers on the project. Slowly rising and riding a persistent groove from start to finish, this Quincy Fielding number with dual leads by Cynthia Davis and Gwendolyn Rogers resonates strongly on all counts.

And you really can’t get much more traditional than “Old Fashioned Meter”. Pastor Hayden pours it all out with the mix of prayer, shout, song and groan, all backed by a thick soup of organ and drums. The song says, “It’s a God in heaven, sho’ will answer prayer”.

You may as well snap this one up now, because if you tarry, there’s no doubt you’ll be snapping it up later.