CD Review: Mississippi Two-Steppin’ with Bishop Keith C. Smith

Going to Church with Bishop Keith C. Smith
Meek Records MR4025
2005
www.meekrecords.com

If you don’t already know that Bishop Keith C. Smith pastors a church in South Carolina or recorded this CD in Memphis, never mind: the music itself will clue you in. The listener can hear the deep, balmy Southern gospel groove, as thick and robust as Memphis air in mid-July, in Smith’s husky vocals and the band’s driving, soulful touch.

While the project has the goods to satisfy fans of classic and urban gospel alike, its finest track is the uptempo “One Touch.” Bishop Smith’s periodic shouts are given an appealing echo effect to provide the right hook for a song that calls to mind what Smith calls the church folks’ “Mississippi Two Step.”

Maple Reddick-Burchall’s Chicago-based Meek Records has, like Blackberry Records, carved out a niche in presenting neo-traditional gospel music, having produced a number of Rev. Clay Evans’ recent projects. This second CD by Bishop Smith continues the label’s interest in keeping the good old gospel sound alive.