This month the quartet spotlight shines on the powerful sounds of Cecil Washington & The Texas Boyz of Dallas Texas.  With well over twenty years of quartet recording experience under their belt the Texas Boyz have and will continue to obtain the recognition that is long overdue.  Having signed with the Williams Brothers multi-million dollar operation Blackberry Records this release is sure to receive the attention of the Gospel music industry as a whole.  This 14 selection project features everything from quartet drive to soul-stirring ballads of Love and admiration to our Savior Jesus Christ. 

The project opens in grand fashion finding the Texas Boyz at full throttle with "Pressing On".  With the squeal Derrick Horne's organ and a few drum runs Cecil proceeds to lead the group through a classic foot stompin' good time.  Like many other quartet drive songs this selection builds to higher heights with each run, twists, and turn.  By the time this selection closes all that is left is the echo of Cecil's screams and cries of praise.  With a familiar call to motherly/grandmotherly love Cecil transitions smoothly into the mid-tempo ballad "New World For Me".  This story in song tells of the blessed expectations of New life in Christ from Cecil's mother and grandmother.  Not only does the song have great lyrics the innovative arrangement shows why the Texas Boyz are at the forefront of taking the quartet sound to new levels. 

Like many of their peers the Texas Boyz enlist the help of a choir on this recording.  Now don't be alarmed because I must say this choral selection is probably one of if not the best on the CD.  It's also interesting to note that the choir consists of all the Washington clan. Many who are familiar with the Texas Boyz realize they were heavily influenced by the late Willie Neal Johnson & The Gospel Keynotes.  It is really during this song that Cecil's Willie Neal like tendencies come out in full force.  As he calls his daughter Jazz Washington around to sing a verse Cecil can't help but express his extreme excitement over the sound of his daughters singing.  This song comes packed with cries of "Sing for your daddy girl", "Y'all act like you don't hear my baby", and plenty of squeals ala Willie Neal.

Other songs of note include the title cut "Shall Forever Love", "Two-Faced Church Folk", "So Good To Me", and truthfully every other selection on the CD.  "Shall Forever Love" is definitely the major slow ballad on this CD.  This song brings to the front Cecil's right hand man and brother Glen Washington.  With all the flair and power of a serious lead vocalist Glen more than compliments his brother.  Besides this gives Cecil a chance to employ his famous playful banter and calls of encouragement while his brother sings. "Two-Faced Church Folk" is probably the funkiest sounding peace on the recording.  Compliments of the tight guitar runs of Odis Byrd and the smooth yet bluesy background vocals of the Texas Boyz this church parody is a serious addition to this powerful package.  "So Good To Me" brings the trinity of Cecil, Glen, and Derrick Horne to the lead mic.  As can be implied from the title this drive song focuses on the goodness of God.  Complete with several background changeups and a constant heavy bass grove this song is defiantly radio material.