Words: Henry Yanney
Thursday, 2 July 2009

With last year's success of the UK gospel music scene still making waves among both the underground and mainstream music industries, anticipations were high for what the scene would bring in the following year.

Just As I Am, the new project by Karl Nova, UK gospel's 'street psalmist' and part of the soul collective GK Real, does not disappoint.

'Just As I Am' is not just a compilation of God-fearing songs which Christians will enjoy but a documentary of Nova's passions; his love for Christ, his love of life and more importantly, his desire to share those affections with the listener. His ability to portray this on his 19 track debut is the glue which holds the album together. On the blaring horns and soldier-esque 'Marching On' featuring Jahaziel and Dwayne Tryumf, Nova addresses the listeners' persistence of having to overcome all the troubles of the world whilst on 'Sonlight', his charismatic flow and hip hop inspired chorus adds much swagger to the cinematic score.

The album's uplifting tone spearheads J.A.I.A but becomes sombre when the tone changes on tracks as Lord Help Me and That Could've Been Me where he turns the spotlight to his own experiences, expressing some frank opinions which add more soul to his first body of work. At times it feels like the more upbeat songs are the bait for the listener as Karl Nova's ability to express some heavy material puts him among the many elite artists of the gospel scene today with his moving tales and passionate delivery.

Boasting guest appearances from such acclaimed talents as Lisa McClendon (with whom he performed with at GL Live), MOBO Award winning Jahaziel and Dwayne Tryumf, Karl Nova's debut is exciting, entertaining and bridges the gap between classic gospel and the new age UK gospel music scene.