Those familiar with the legendary group Slim & The Supreme Angels will no doubt be very familiar with the featured artist for this month's CD review.  The sound of this lead singer has penetrated the homes of many quartet fans for well over 20 years.  He has provided us with hit recordings such as "I Never Knew Happiness", "In Love With God", and the recent radio favorite "Gloryland".  While these recordings were made primarily with The Supreme Angels, Greg has now brought to the table a whole different group of hits under his own group Greg Kelly & Foundation.  Did Greg live up to the expectations of his many fans who have followed him throughout the years?  I think the answer is just a ears reach away in this awesome "Live" recording!!

From the opening explosion of hand claps from the waiting audience, this project promises to be something special.  After a brief introduction the stage belongs to the smooth tenor voice of Mr. Greg Kelly.  The recording opens with Greg ever so softly reminding us of the Love of our father God towards his wayfaring children.  The selection entitled "Prodigal Son" serves as an immediate reminder to the vocal skills of this quartet giant.  While the lead vocals on this selection are superb the listener immediately notices the beautiful harmony of the background and the heavy emphasis on the bass vocals of Anthony Griffin Sr.  

Having shown his vocal talents on the opening slow ballad, Greg then shifts into the mid-tempo groove "Stay With Me".  This selection makes use of the common song premise of the old standard hymn "Walk With Me" while still retaining it's own originality.  By the time the group moves into the serious drive section, this once simple song literally turns into a quartet shout session complete with funky musical vamps.  While most of the selections on the project have a very distinct sound that can now be stamped as Greg Kelly's style, there is one selection that comes somewhat as a surprise.  The two part Eric Clapton penned ballad "Heaven" definitely takes on new meaning in the Christian context. As Greg pays tribute to the quartet Legends that have already gone on to be with the Lord, he seems to breath new life into this ordinarily secular selection.  

After reviewing the first half of this 14 song recording one can only wonder how much better things can get.  Greg answers that question as he moves into the two part heart wrenching selection "Don't Quit".  The touching story of Greg's childhood friend who lost his wife and child in a fatal accident serves as the foundation of Greg's earnest plea to never give up.  Surely I can witness to the fact that we as Christians will all have to face the cold dark stare of despair at some time or another.  If there was ever a selection on this project with a true ministerial spirit "Don't Quit" is that very selection.  For over 15 minutes Greg Kelly & Foundation encourage the hearts of all present during the recording of this CD.  The project then moves into yet another mid-tempo groove much in the tradition of "Stay With Me" entitled "In The Room". Unlike "Stay With Me", the sermonette like intro that leads into "In The Room" serves as a warning to those who think this song is just another mid-tempo groove.  Greg takes this classic song and really goes to work climaxing in a old time shout session entitled "Greg's Praise".

Other songs of note include Greg's reworking of the classic Pilgrim Wonders selection "He's Everything I Need".  This is by all means the best ballad on the project but it only occupies a meager three minutes.  Anyone who has ever seen Greg perform this selection "Live" knows that this song serves as a platform for Greg to showcase his amazing ability to flawlessly drive his is voice from beautiful tenor to otherworldly falsetto.  However, on the CD this selection serves as the hymn of praise for the closing prayer by Pastor Louis Montgomery Sr. of Chicago, ILL. While literally every selection could be mentioned we would be remised to end this review without speaking about  the actual title cut of the CD "Heaven Or Hell".  This song opens with some beautiful a capella harmony that once again highlights the bass vocals of Anthony Griffin Sr. However, this song quickly turns into a biblically based  message against various sins of our times.