The Best Of Contemporary Christian: What Kind Of Joy – A Funky Gospel Ride You Didn’t Know You Needed
If you’re like me and think “Funk/Soul” plus “Gospel” sounds like an unholy mashup only a Canadian label would dare to release, then buckle up. The Best Of Contemporary Christian: What Kind Of Joy by Various (released in 1999 via St. Clair Entertainment Group, Inc.) is here to prove you wrong. This album doesn’t just dip its toes into the holy waters of gospel—it cannonballs right in with a splash of funk that’ll leave your soul soggy but smiling.
Now, I gotta say, this isn’t your grandma’s Sunday morning choir special (well, maybe if your grandma was into groovy basslines). The album kicks off with the title track, “What Kind Of Joy,” which hits harder than expected. It’s one part foot-stomper, two parts hand-clapper, and all parts irresistible. Imagine clapping along so enthusiastically you accidentally high-five someone across the room. That’s this song. Its upbeat energy makes it impossible not to move—even if you're just sitting there pretending to read scripture or scroll through emails.
Then there’s “Jesus Loves Me.” No, it ain’t the sleepy lullaby version from VBS circa 1995. This rendition has swagger for days. Like, Jesus-loves-you-but-he-also-knows-how-to-dance swagger. The vocals soar over smooth instrumentals that feel more Motown than megachurch, making it easy to forget you’re technically listening to church music. Honestly? This might be the first time I’ve ever considered busting out some choreography during a praise session.
Other standouts include tracks like “Lost Without You” and “He Set Me Free,” both packed with enough emotional punch to knock the wind outta ya—but let’s keep it real, my playlist rotation will mostly feature those first two bangers. Because sometimes, you don’t need deep introspection; you just wanna feel good while singing about salvation.
Here’s the thing: this album shouldn’t work as well as it does. Mixing funky soul beats with gospel lyrics feels like pairing maple syrup with nachos—odd on paper, yet somehow delightful when done right. And Canada, bless their maple-loving hearts, nailed it. Who knew Canucks could bring such heat to the genre?
So yeah, give What Kind Of Joy a spin if you want something different—or if you’ve run out of ways to annoy your atheist friends at parties. But hey, don’t take my word for it. Listen yourself and decide whether this is the kind of joy you can handle. Just don’t blame me if you end up praising God and practicing dance moves at the same time.
