Roberta Kelly

Placing both traditional gospel melodies and inspirational songs custom-made for this album atop disco arrangements at times analogous to producer Giorgio Moroder's projects with Donna Summer, Roberta Kelly's third full-length release is admirable in its ambition -- and generally effective in its outcome. Kelly doesn't have particularly powerful chops, but she has a congenial tone and her stylistic choices bear integrity and strength. On a much less epic level, producers Moroder and Bob Esty attempt to give Gettin' the Spirit the sequential feel of Summer's 1977 double-LP musical saga, Once Upon a Time. This particularly holds true in the transition from the subtly rousing title track to the faith-affirming "Walking in the Shadow of His Light." Besides the aforementioned tracks, the ponderous-sounding arrangement and lush vocals of "Speaking My Mind in His Ear" provide another highlight. Two sets of three tunes each are mixed together to comprise the album -- in other words, each side is a sort of big medley. On the whole, the album is not as far-ranging in dynamics as the singer's strongest set, 1981's Tell Me. But it is certainly more consistent and far-reaching than her first two sets. ~ Justin M. Kantor, All Music Guide