You never quite know where that elusive 'unbelievable' album will come from. While you can sometimes you can see it a mile off (as in Kirk Franklin's Rebirth project), the real excitement is when it is completely unexpected.

Verge of Life's album What Is Love? is just like that. While stopping by on the last day of the GMWA Annual convention in August 2002 in Detroit to check out the Gospel DJ Jam, the album was gently, but highly recommended by some of the dedicated DJs spinning their favorite jams that evening.

Highly recommended is an understatement.

On this album, the immensely gifted R&P duo of Eric Radford and Vince Gorman from Minneapolis deliver some of the most incredible urban contemporary Gospel offerings available on the market —this is the real thing.

The songs hit from their very start, and then grow only stronger. Radford and Gorman sound like vocal veterans in their delivery —at once soulful and expressive and able to belt it out or scorch it softly, they cover everything urban on this project from the ballad to the groove.

Strongly scriptural in lyrical content, songs such as "Call On Him" quickly deliver their payload of melody, harmony and irresistable beat. Production from Ausound is always on point, allowing Verge of Life vocals to be up front while not sacrificing on the infectious track from Texas' own Luke Austin.

Strings and staccato rhythms accompany "He May Not Come", an uptempo, harmony-based ballad with a judicious amount of vocal acrobatics from both Radford and Gorman. The groove continues with the smooth title track, "What Is Love?" and the urban worship piece, "You Are My Saviour". Beautiful songcrafting is the hallmark of the project, and this is fine example.

Look for "Nick of Time", "Have You Ever Heard" and "Change" (with rap cameo from Allen 'FIF' Harris) to make the jam dials shoot to warning levels.

Verge of Life's debut may be an independent release, but you will be hard-pressed to find anything more satisifying on the urban tip —anywhere— than what is offered on What Is Love?