RJ Helton makes his move from American Idol finalist to B-Rite artist with his much-anticipated release, Real Life.

The Atlanta native wisely fills his project with exactly what brought him acclaim a short couple years ago —appealing pop vocals tied to snaggy tunes with a decided soul edge. Helton, in his own words, defines the album as one that while containing " songs with straightforward Christian lyrics", also includes "positive, uplifting music for everyone". He relies on a bevy of the industry's finest producers to deliver.

The Bernie Herms - produced "My Devotion" has already garnered fans by way of its advance placement on the Gotta Have Gospel! compilation (see project review). The crisp acoustic guitar of Michael Ripoll nicely contrasts with the simmering Latin groove and rap interject from CZ, as Helton sings of his life purpose in God. A similar flava is found on "If Ever" and "Why Don't We Pray" (but with a slightly heavier urban, hip hop touch).

Helton's strongest songs are the mid-tempo, soaring ballads, where the bigness of his voice is allowed to fill the song. Case in point is "All We Need To Know", which has Helton collaborating with songwriter Natalie Grant (see album review). Referencing Jesus Christ as our sole Source of refuge and "Keeper of our souls", Helton freely moves to vocal heights on top of beds of strings, with a power-filled choir adding extra oomph (including Darwin Hobbs, Anthony Evans, Jerard Woods, Jovaun Woods and others).

Real Life

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Then there's the tender "Forgive", where Helton prays with reference that familiar line in The Lord's Prayer about our need to forgive others as God has forgiven us. Ripoll's guitar moves alongside the vocal line, supported by strings on this piece, produced by Reed Vertelney (Luther Vandross, Heather Headley).

The consistently brilliant Tommy Sims (Jon Gibson, CeCe Winans, Michelle Williams, Darwin Hobbs, Michael McDonald) steps in to produce two of the album's love songs: "Tell Me" and the bass-funk-filled "Crazy", which argueably directs the love heavenwards.

Other cuts tucked into this gem are the intriguingly autobiographical and edgy "Delicate Child" and "Freedom", which carries one of the album's most uptempo rhythms. "Canto de Amor", sung in Spanish and with all the musical elements that energize Latin numbers, closes Real Life.

Watch and listen as RJ Helton generates enthusiasm and touches the nation all over again.