Wow Gospel 1998: The Year's 30 Top Gospel Artists And Songs CD

Producers include: Big Yam, Victor M., Fred Hammond, Hezekiah Walker, Victor Caldwell.
Audio Remasterer: Glenn Meadows.
Illustrator: Jackie Murphy.
Arrangers: Alvin Fruga; David Smith; Carlton Pearson.
The third annual WOW Gospel collection, the 1998 edition is a two-CD, 30-track collection of contemporary inspirational tracks from some of the biggest names in the genre; among the featured performers are Take 6 ("You Don't Have to Be Afraid"), CeCe Winans ("Every Time"), Shirley Caesar ("Heaven"), and Yolanda Adams ("The Battle Is the Lord's"). ~ Jason Ankeny
If your idea of Gospel music is a bunch of septuagenarians harmonizing out of a dusty hymn book, then it's time for you to pack your preconceptions in mothballs and check out WOW GOSPEL 1998. This compilation features the best contemporary Gospel artists, the kind of performers who know how to praise the Lord without leaving the dance floor. Kirk Franklin's proteges God's Property, who became a crossover sensation in 1998, combine funk and R&B with traditional gospel stylings. Take 6 take their patented R&B harmonies to church on "You Don't Have To Be Afraid." CeCe Winans brings her pop/soul vocal sensibilites to the Marvin Winans-composed "Every Time." Sure, there's a fair amount of fine old-school gospel included on this 2-disc set, but the real news is made here by the artists who push the music into exciting new territory.Rolling Stone (2/19/98, pp.56-58) - 3 Stars (out of 5) - "...the bass-heavy, pelvis-grinding music of funk--which would seem unlikely source material for church hymns--actually turns out to be perfect for gospel's tension buildup and release..."
Vibe (3/98, p.146) - "...a compilation of some of the most memorable gospel songs recorded in 1997....music that'll transform your living room into a roadside tent revival..."