Highly Recommended

Description

Highly Recommended is the debut album by the American gospel/R&B singer and songwriter Helen Baylor, released on Word Records in 1990. Also manufactured and distributed by Epic, a division of Sony Music. The album was produced and arranged by John Bokowski Jr. with Helen Baylor co-producing.

For music lovers who have wiled away the hours wishing for a soulful singer who could belt out a contemporary gospel sound with depth and originality, wish no more. The void has been filled and Helen Baylor has the chops! Her rich vocals incorporate a strong jazz influence, the dance feel of the ’90s, traditional gospel, R&B, and some great pop/rock all with credibility and flair. Her voice is very similar to Roberta Flack, with the style and sophistication of Anita Baker.

Several of the album’s ten songs are upbeat dance tunes, while others are moving ballads interpreted with a soulfulness that is warm and at the same time refreshing. Baylor even covers a Debby Boone hit from a few years back, «Can You Reach My Friend». The rendition is nicely arranged and one of the strongest tunes of the album. Extra touches such as the strong background vocals and tasty saxophone parts sweeten the mix. Overall, the production suits the genre, and was obviously mixed to appeal to a wide audience, yet leave plenty of room for stretching down edgier avenues for future albums. This one comes, well, ‘Highly Recommended’. [Stephanie Bennett, CCM, May 1990]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/highly-recommended/1507713117)

CD tracklist:

01. Highly Reccomended – 5:09
02. There’s No Greater Victory – 5:02
03. Victory – 4:23
04. Thank You Jesus – 6:00
05. Hunger For Holiness – 5:50
06. Lifting Up The Name Of Jesus – 4:44
07. Can You Reach My Friend – 4:09
08. Temporary Pain – 4:18
09. Wounded Soldier – 5:19
10. Fear Not My Child – 4:58

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Word Records.