Cece Winans-Alabaster Box

Alabaster Box isn't a box-set package devoted to CeCe Winans, but rather her third non-Christmas solo album, and the first for her own Wellspring label. It's a return to her gospel roots, in contrast to the straight-ahead urban soul of Everlasting Love, and it's a triumphant one. Winans sounds invigorated by the spiritual material, delivering committed performances and commanding vocals. The production sounds very contemporary, if a little slick at times, but that's not likely to bother most fans. Alabaster Box is an excellent album from a terrific talent.