Hope
Perhaps the most controversial artist in contemporary Christian music history, Michael English hit his highest, and lowest, points with the 1995 releaseHope. The album helped English win three Dove awards, which he promptly returned after admitting an extramarital affair with another CCM artist. Sadly, the judgmental industry blacklisted the talented singer. Politics and drama aside,Hopeis a slick, Brown Bannister-produced effort designed to showcase English's powerful talents. And it does just that, building on the vocal tradition English inherited as a member of theGaither Vocal Band. He hits a wide range of notes and emotions with such numbers as "Save Me," "A Place Called Hope," and "Always for You."  When it comes to pure, flat-out singing, few in the CCM realm can match what English achieves on this album.--Michael Lyttle