One Voice

Artist: Micah Stampley
Label: Music World Gospel
Genre: Gospel

Gospel balladeer Micah Stampley is best known for his powerful voice with a practically limitless range, but on his fifth album, One Voice, (Music World Gospel), Stampley trades some of his better-known vocal acrobatics for sincere and straightforward praise and worship.

One Voice is a 14-track collection of songs, written almost entirely by Stampley and his wife, Heidi. Standout tracks include the rousing David Binion-penned anthem "Heaven on Earth," a cover of Jon Egan's "Overcome," the Sunday morning-ready "We Need The Lord," and "Worthy," a worship chorus that he performs with great passion.

With One Voice, Stampley has expressed an intent to cross cultural boundaries and make music for people from all nations. Lyrically, the songs do that. Sonically, the album is still steeped in various U.S. contemporary gospel nuances, so global audiences may not as readily relate to each song. Still, the endeavor is admirable, and this project has a few gems on it.