There's nothing quite like stumbling across a silver dollar. Maybe the sun's glint off of the shiny surface catches your eye, or perhaps you hear the chink as your shoe kicks it by mistake. Unearned and unexpected, it thrills and it sends chills.

Same thing with Without You from Pastor Louis Johnson. The Missouri-based minister and radio announcer brings in Paul Porter of The Christianaires to produce, and contribute vocals. Along with several other guests, the project is a standout.

The project opens with the slow and soulful title track opener has Porter out front vocally as Pastor Johnson narrates briefly mid track. The Curry Sisters out of the Gospel hotbed of Jackson, Mississippi round out the backing vocals with great sound.

Musical director Derrick Lee joins with some of the industrys band stars (Ralph Lofton on organ and piano, Simon Baker on bass, Terry Baker on drums, Dwight Gordon with guitar), and the sound is consistent throughout.

Johnson duets with Porter on "This Is The Day", "So Good" and "Cheerfully", joyous songs all, celebrating God's regular mercies and the joy of cheerful giving.

Porter's rearrangement of "I Will Trust In The Lord" has wonderful mix of old school, funk-driven, organ-laden drive, churchy ad libs from Clinton McFarland and more of that Curry Sister vocal anchor.

Porter also dips "The Lord Is Blessing Me" into a fresh arrangement, this time with Pastor Machon Hartfield (formerly of The Hartfield Brothers) out front, with organ whirling as backdrop.

Equally compelling is "Celebrate", a song with a Gospel pop twist. It's swingy, catchy chorus is laid down by The Curry Sisters, leading to Johnson's vocal lead. Pastor Jamar Jackson guests on the companion piece, the sprightly, syncopated "H.G. Time".

Easily one of the brightest lights on the traditional releases this year, Pastor Louis Johnson's debut deserves mega-spins on radio and top billing in your CD player. You can bank on that.