eletronic

When Al Green hung up his loverman's robe and took up the ministry's cloth, R&B's loss was the Gospels' gain. Just check out GREATEST GOSPEL HITS, a spirit-moving collection of Reverend Green's sacred sides from the '80s, and you'll wonder if Green's best love songs weren't more sanctified than previously assumed. Accordingly, those not usually moved to buy gospel music will find a lot to like -- there's no fire and brimstone, and the pastor doesn't shout his message, preferring instead to get up close and personal. Imagine the greatest soul singer of the '70s as your own spiritual advisor. Green is at his best when given room to stretch his gifted voice over slow, spacious beats, and the tracks here give him ample opportunity. Continuing the relaxed intensity he perfected on his pop outings, selections such as "God Blessed Our Love" and {|Curtis Mayfield|}'s "People Get Ready" smolder, threatening to flame at every downbeat. "Ocean Blue (I'll Rise Again)" peaks as chimes and acoustic guitar give way to driving strings and Al's chilling falsetto -- as much a relief as a surprise when it finally arrives. The traditional "Amazing Grace" is another standout, featuring refined vocal harmonies over a groove slow and deep as a river. With several of Al Green's gospel albums currently unavailable, GREATEST GOSPEL HITS is a welcome return of the best of his uplifting material. Karl Hagstrom Miller