For years, Pastor Nancy Wilson has been encouraging and prodding Gospel artists to step to the fore with their ministries.

Now it's her time.

Church praise is the theme of Designed For Worship, the debut solo project from the Pastor of New Beginning Community Outreach Church in Greensboro, North Carolina.

The album, produced by VaShawn Mitchell and Rick Robinson is on Bishop Larry Trotter's Utopia record label, comes filled with traditionally-edged new grooves and old-song medleys, all infused with that fadless church style and highlighted by Wilson's strong vocals.

There is no shortage of highlights to choose from among the album's thirteen tracks. "Everybody Ought To Have A Praise" is a duet between Wilson and Lowell Pye of Men of Standard, with some great back-and-forth between the two, their vocal textures nicely contrasting. Bandwork here is excellent (Robinson's keys, Calvin Rodgers' drums, Joey Woolfalk's guitar, Brian Lofton's organ, Darrick Ray's bass).

On the smooth-flowing "Worship Medley", Wilson's son Isaac Carree (also of Men of Standard) steps in with some wonderfully soulful vocals on the reprise.

As might be anticipated by the title, the album's other medley ("Church Medley") takes on a more vigourous tone, as Wilson tears into some familiar hymns, weaving her praise into the busy Hammond B3 and accompanying choir and

Women Of Excellence

On the opening and rousing "Victory In The Praise" and the album-closer and much slower "Saved", the vocals are served up by Pastor Nancy Wilson...." Full Album Review

ad lib voices. The following "Just Love To Praise You" bursts with energy and infectious praise, as does the subsequent (and lengthy) "Praise Break".

The slow-tempo'd "Hear My Prayer", written by Rick Robinson, extends over two tracks (over 10 minutes) and is marked by Wilson's tender treatment of the melodic line, and guest vocals from Kim Maxwell. Steady strings flow underneath along with the uncredited backing vocalists.

"Designed For Worship", as title track, begins with a two-minute introduction from Wilson, using story and scripture to set the scene for the song, written by Pastor Janet Floyd. Joey Woolfalk's searing lead guitar is a standout on this cut.

Mark this project with a star.