Day By Day
It is possible that there are singers alive today with more passion, conviction and beauty than Yolanda Adams working in gospel today, but it's doubtful. It's been a full four years since the glory-giving soprano has released a new album of her own music, and it's actually worth the wait. The banging funk tunes are tight and righteous, while  the ballads will knock you clean off your feet. There are a host of guest artists onDay By Day—Mary Mary,Kirk Franklin,Donnie McClurkin, and others, as well as a half dozen of the hottest producers around. And all of that is cool, but none of them are really that necessary. This woman truly has been blessed with enormous talent, and she uses it judiciously and wisely. In fact,Day By Dayis easily the best contemporary gospel album of 2005.--Mike McGonigal