2nd Chance
With intense worship workouts, burning urban funk, lift-me-up choral anthems, and weepy ballads that never resort to cliché, Karen  Clark Sheard's2nd Chanceis easily one of the best records of 2002.  Sure, it doesn't hurt that contributors include famous (and insanely talented) people likeMissy  Elliott,Timbaland, andYolanda Adams. But it's the strength of Clark Sheard's strong, supple, and deliriously lovely singing voice (abetted by the power of her convictions) that really shines through on this dynamic album. At age 7, Karen was a founding member of the funky, exhilaratingClark  Sisters--one of the only contemporary gospel groups to hold a candle to classic female gospel soul acts such as theCaravansand theGospel Harmonettes--and she's been an award-winning solo performer since 1997. The album's title refers to a near-death experience the singer suffered after a surgical procedure in 2000, leaving her with a renewed sense of purpose.2nd Chanceis saturated with an overwhelming sense of joy, renewal, and above all, thanks. Whew. Did we mention it's one of the best records of 2002?--Mike McGonigal