There are few voices in Gospel that are so definitive, so soul-laden and so instantly recognizable as Ann Nesby’s.

The longtime former lead vocalist for The Sounds of Blackness has delivered her second solo project in as many years (see Put It On Paper) . It’s Make Me Better, it’s all Gospel, and it’s a beaut.

Filled with deeply soulful, contemporary cuts, Nesby dives headfirst into the set with “He’ll Make You Wanna”. Wailing and praising over a semi-funky track from Gerald McCauley, she fills out the song with vocal acrobatics and is joined by daughter Jamecia Bennett on strong backing vocals.

Veteran producer Herb Middleton (Will Smith, Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, Brownstone) steps in to handle “It Won’t Be Long”, featuring rapper Knowledge. Encouraging us to ‘dry our eyes’ and ‘be strong’, Nesby is solid as she weaves in and out through vocal tracks, Middleton’s keyboard work and a great, hook-laden chorus. Later on the album, rapper King Cyz (see album review) joins Nesby on the upbeat “Happy”, a song of pure thanks.

The renowned George Duke (see album review) sits down at the piano, joining with Paul Jackson Jr. (see album review) on guitar and Tom Scott on sax to lend talent to the sweet, strings-filled prodigal ballad “With Open Arms”. The lyrics of forgiveness are potent and Nesby shows herself to be as excellent at smooth as she is at bump.

And if you want more proof, check out “Giving All My Love”, another gorgeously set ballad that has Randy Bowland’s acoustic guitar setting it of.

Nesby continues to delight Gospel DJs with her dancified remake of Rickey Grundy’s “Can’t Stop (Praising His Name)”. Featuring house choir Jasper Street, and with track from DJ Spen and Karizma for Basement Boys, the song is marked by an infectious chorus that has the slightest of syncopation to intrigue the ear. “Shelter”, the song that details how God protects us, is another one to keep the DJ active.

But it’s the the title track, “Make Me Better” that fulfills all the promises of a smash hit. Co-written by Nesby along with Chucky Thompson and K. Blackmon, the song impacts from the opening flute phatness fused wtih head-nod beats. Nesby sings this prayer with restrained power at first, imparting a vibe of intense anticipation, which she fulfills as she finishes the song in an awesome display ad lib raw vocals. The “hip hop remix” of the song from mixmaster Seneca Cayson ends the album.

File this gem in the front stack of your contemporary Gospel library, and put a star on it.

Some photos taken from Ann Nesby's showcase performance The ND Co. / Church Howse Music event at GMWA 2003 in Tampa Bay are provided below: