Cece Winans possesses one of those magnificent voices that knows no boundaries, and indeed she's found success in gospel, R&B and contemporary Christian formats during the past two decades. "Thy Kingdom Come" finds her targeting the church with a powerful collection of songs. The reverent, majestic opener "We Welcome You" sets a worshipful tone, leading into the effervescent "Forever" and the single "Waging War," which calls on believers to fight a spiritual battle against the darkness in the world. It's a credit to the album's cast of different producers (Tommy Sims, Percy Bady, Luther "Mano" Haynes, Victor and Cedric Caldwell, and Winans' son, Alvin Love III) that "Kingdom" is so cohesive. But it's no huge surprise, as Winans never disappoints, and she's not starting here.

 

—Deborah Evans Price