The inspirations

Highway to Heaven
Horizon

The Inspirations’ latest release, on both tape and CD, is classic Inspirations. Throughout, it contains the famous Inspirations’ sound and features two leads by each of the quartet’s five vocalists: Archie Watkins, Matt Dibler, Melton Campbell, Mike Holcomb and Jack Laws.

Mike Holcomb puts his deep bass voice to work on Sandy Knight’s great song, “I’ve Got Overwhelming Joy” and “I Shall Arise,” an oldie written by a bass singer (J.D. Summer) for a bass voice (his). With his own voice, Mike does credit to J.D.’s work in a great rendition of this song.

One of the best harmonizing efforts was made on “Someone Like You,” featuring Melton, the quartet’s baritone, and all the Inspirations. Melton is also featured on “He Takes Care of Me,” a song of assurance that God will always provide our every need.

Archie, whose voice makes the Inspirations’ sound unique and distinctive, leads on “Above It All,” which contains a heart-touching message in moderate tempo, and “By His Blood,” which could be described as “a declaration of divinity.”

Matt Dibler’s great lead voice leads on “We Need to Thank God,” a powerful song similar to another Inspirations hit, “Thank You, Lord,” and on the title song, “Highway to Heaven” which declares that the old-time gospel way is the only way that’s guaranteed to work.

Jack, whose voice is as smooth as any gospel singer’s, sings “He Loved Me to Death” and “Mama’s Love Can’t Go Where the Blood Can” and does the outstanding job he always provides.

This is a recording for those who love the pure southern gospel quartet sound and the sound that only the Inspirations deliver.