No Limits Live

Sounds like … worshipful contemporary gospel from one of the genre's leading ladies, as if Karen Clark Sheard or CeCe Winans were fronting Israel & New Breed. At a glance … No Limits Live is an energetic live gospel/worship recording, at times weighed down by a little too much free worship and preachingTrack ListingDisc 1 No Limits (Breakthrough) Till the Walls Fall Till the Walls Fall (Reprise) Name Above All Names Great Exchange Prelude Great Exchange Renew Me Prophetic Interlude Forever You're My King What He's Done Amazing Love (P.D.) Amazing LoveDisc 2 Always Welcome Holy Spirit Fill This Room Come Holy Spirit He's Already Provided I Believe God While You Worship (Chandler's Song) You've Been So Good You've Been So Good (Reprise) Jesus Is the Best Thing Chosen Generation

Gospel/worship vocalist and songwriter Martha Munizzi made history in 2005 when she became the first non-African American to win Best New Artist at the Stellar Awards—without the support of a major record label. Produced by Israel Houghton and Aaron Lindsey (of Israel & New Breed fame), Munizzi's 2003 album The Best Is Yet to Come released quietly as an independent album, yet sold in the hundreds of thousands.

Integrity Music took notice and signed on to distribute her music while committing to produce her third live album, No Limits Live. Expectations for this 2-disc album are certainly high, but Munizzi doesn't seem to mind, sounding comfortable and in control from the get-go in singing, leading worship, and even some preaching and exhortation. Producer Noel Hall (former Fred Hammond music director) gives the album a sound that's less multi-cultural and more contemporary gospel. The style befits Munizzi's commanding voice perfectly, but it does rob the project of some of the congregational feel that marked her previous effort.

While The Best Is Yet to Come was neatly captured on a single disc, Munizzi's passion for ministering and teaching have literally taken the limits off her follow-up. Throughout this album's running length of 100-plus minutes, she transitions from song to song with several instances of free worship, improvisation, and semi-songs that can become tiresome and repetitive upon repeated listens. Sometimes less is more, and some trimming and condensing of the best moments into a single disc would have allowed No Limits to become a more inspired and worshipful project—one that effectively demonstrates the flair, fervor and flavor of Martha Munizzi and her talented band.