Higher Ground
On the follow-up to their Grammy-winning albumSpirit of the Century, the three gospel-singing septuagenarians celebrate the holy side of secular songs in hopes of connecting with "the generations that are behind us," as founding member Clarence Fountain put it. Always alert to the potent message of God's mightiness, they exuberantly spiritualize theStevie Wondertitle track andCurtis Mayfield's "People Get Ready," as well as choice picks from the songbooks ofPrince("The Cross"),George Clinton("You and Your Folks," grafted onto the 23rd Psalm!),Ben Harper("I Shall Not Walk Alone"), and others (Harper guests on three tracks). A few uplifting traditional gospel numbers turn up, too. Throughout the program, Blind Boy Jimmy Carter's stirring tenor voice is a minor miracle. And "sacred steel" guitaristRobert Randolphand his Family Band are important to the success of the album, supplying genuine fervor to grooves that complement the elders' heaven-bound vocals.--Frank-John Hadley