The word 'unique' is thrown around with recklessly these days. But unique indeed is the fascinating debut from Yasmeen Suri, titled Praise From The Nations.

Groomed by the Dorinda Clark-Cole at Detroit's renowned Mattie Moss Clark Conservatory of Music, hailed by Karen Clark-Sheard and other luminaries of Gospel, and with extensive experience as a background vocalist, the native of India brings a unheard of (till now) mix of traditional Indian, contemporary Gospel and a splash of pop.

Suri writes the majority of the album's eleven songs, mixing in the modal tone scale foreign to most Western ears, and ad libbing her wide-ranging soprano with trills, runs and sometimes near-operatic thrills over the familiar instrumental elements of a Gospel band —bass, keyboards, drums. Generous use of acoustic guitars adds to the musical adventure.

Lyrically, Suri hones in on praise and worship, bring honor and glory to Jesus Christ. Background vocals are provided by students of the Conservatory.

The album starts with immediate effect on "Indian Worship Intro (Holy God)" with exotic mass voice chanting "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come" from Revelation 4:8, before Suri enters with soaring, warbling vocals, and transitioning into "Halelluiah (God Is With Us)". Suri and choir work a call and response praise over rising hand claps.

An album high point is Dorohn Records artist Esther Smith guests on "Praise Your Name", a melodic creation filled with piano ripples from Rodney Fisher and a simple vocal interplay that is a hook-laden masterpiece.

"My Beloved" has Twinkie Clark stepping in on keyboard, with Suri extolling her praise to Jesus, the 'lover of my soul'. The song is soft and comes with tender conga accompaniment.

Other songs to watch for are "When Praises Go Up, Blessings Come Down", written by Dorinda Clark-Cole, and the rework of the classic "Great Is Thy Faithfulness", which comes with an uptempo beat and Suri's unique modalities touched by vocoder.

"Latin-Indian Worship Intro" is a feast of latin guitar and classic Indian wordless melody, segueing into "Worthy To Be Praised" with its slow-paced balladry and almost hymnal approach to worshipping the name of Jesus.

If musical adventure is what you are after, then Yasmin Suri offers exactly what you ordered. Step beyond the bounds and experience superb vocals and musical fusion like nothing you've ever heard before.