The 36^th Annual Gospel Music Workshop of America convention took place in the sweltering heat of Tampa, FL, and likewise the convention’s musical project entitled The Tampa Experience is sizzling hot!  This 2004 GospoCentric release which mixes live music and studio ingenuity showcases selections from the various mass choirs assembled annually at the hugely popular gathering and brings together a sampling of the best singers, songwriters, and musicians gospel music has to offer today.

The CD is jump-started with the enthusiastic GMWA Women’s Choir belting out the opening number “All to You”, a piece infused with songwriter Chris Byrd’s signature energy.   The liveliness continues with the traditional “Gotta Make It” as powerhouse and Stellar Award winner Dorinda Clark-Cole leads the GMWA Mass Choir, urging believers to forget about our burdens and focus on making it to that city.

The first inspirational song on the album, “He’s a Healer” offers listeners a special treat by featuring the dynamic Benita Washington, the 2003 Gospel Dream Winner.  Washington’s vocal ministry holds her audience spellbound as she encourages us to believe God can heal all of our pains and sorrows.  Bishop Albert Jamison accompanies her solo with a powerfully spoken word, compelling us to hold on to our faith knowing God will deliver us no matter what the problem may be. 

No gospel CD is complete without a true worship and praise selection, and The Tampa Experience offers a beautiful set with “Holy is the Lord/Praise Ye Lord” featuring the Mass choir with Minister Earl Bynum.  These are songs that truly invite God’s presence as the voices blend in whole-hearted praise to our heavenly Father. 

The GMWA Youth Choir demonstrates their skills on both an up-tempo selection “Come Let Us Lift Him Up” (featuring soloists Felicia East and Emoni Wilkins) and also by closing out the CD with Craig Hayes’ ballad “Pass Away” (featuring Kervy Brown), possibly the best track on this release, although the soulful “Words Cannot Explain” featuring the charismatic Richard “Mr. Clean” White and the very mellow sounding GMWA Men’s Choir is definitely a close second.  Bishop Jamison and White are also featured again with the Mass choir along with Leo “Bubba” Taylor on yet another strong number, “So Good”.

Once again, talent, experience, tradition and good music have all come together on this solid album, making this latest GMWA musical endeavor a worthy addition to every gospel music lover’s collection.