Album Notes

This gospel quintet based out of Reba Place Church on the north shore of Chicago, brings strong leads, tight harmonies, an impressive backup band, and a unique sound that appeals to a broad audience. GOSPEL JOURNEY is their promising debut album produced by Ray Bady, who brings his own inimitable style to each song highlighting Reba Praise’s great strengths as a vocal ensemble. Reba Praise has a way of making everything from Richard Smallwood to Israel Houghton sound like their own, bringing a sound that will bless, edify, and inspire.

Reba Place is a three-block street in Evanston, Illinois. In 1957 Reba Place Church took root there. Like the proverbial mustard seed, this small plant grew to encompass an intentional Christian community, a housing ministry, a day nursery, and a sister congregation in nearby Chicago. We have learned the truth that we plant and water but “God gives the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:7).

Over the last five decades Reba Place’s music ministry has also grown beyond its origins in traditional hymnody, through folk and charismatic renewal songs, and Jim Croegaert's "anabaptist-catholic" worship leading. In 1997 Scott Oliver and Helen Hudgens began Reba Praise to lead Sunday morning worship. Almost a decade later Reba Praise blends traditional worship sounds with the best of classic and contemporary gospel.