Crossroads

What if Earth, Wind & Fire made a gospel record? Bootsie could guest on bass and those horns could punch like Sugar Ray. It would be very like D. Haddy's latest joint. Deitrick Haddon calls the record Crossroads, but he sounds like he's committed to groovin' right down the road. God is good all the time is the message. Groove is good all the time is the medium. This CD snaps, crackles and pops like the most funk-filled EWF or TOP's best. Tower of Power asked the question; "What is Hip?" In Haddon's lexicon, Peace, Love and God are. This is some of the tightest funk on record this year. That it comes with a gospel message sets it all apart. That Donald Hayes throws down some smokin' horn charts and both Boogie Carty and Andrae Smith burn up the bass, makes it burn up the speakers.

Haddon calls the CD Crossroads because he's at a moment of truth in his life. He asks Reverend Rance Allen to lay hands on this record and they call down the Spirit for guidance. The musical collaboration works like a charm. Haddon throws just the right measure of shoutin' and stompin' into the urban soul mix to make a real new deal. He wrote or co-wrote all this material, and it all works. Haddon works too. He works hard and the whole record has a muscular, hard soul character. This isn't your father's gospel record, but he'd recognize it. "Won't Stop Praying" visits the spirit of Sam Cooke and Otis at their best. Haddon comes by this honestly, and has made a real honest record.

Haddon was born and raised in Detroit. His gospel roots are as deep as his soul roots. He was preaching and singing in revivalist churches in his teens. He first broke out onto the national scene in a small way with the Voice of Unity in the '90s. In 2002 he released Lost And Found on Verity, which featured a crossover hit, "Sinner's Prayer." He wasn't looking back then, and he's not looking back now. Deitrick Haddon has a wonderful and special ability to look to the tradition without looking backwards. It works. D. Haddy would say it works because he looks to God.

This is clearly a missionary record. Haddon draws on every musical experience he's got to synthesize a whole new groove. "Prayer Changes Things" is a vocal showcase in a Neville Brothers bag, with a traditional sound. Haddon reaches out. He has Paula White, the WWIC MVP Youth Choir and Lady Life as guests. He's not afraid to take musical risks and stand up for new ideas. He's at a crossroads looking forward