This soundtrack makes pointed artistic links between the worlds of soul gospel and R&B. Many of the album’s better moments come from R&B artists taking on gospel, or at least spiritual, songs.

The set opens with a one-two punch. Jill Scott and Kirk Franklin duet on the movie’s title track shows Scott in a melodically lighter framework than her critically acclaimed debut album. It, likewise, serves as Franklin’s best effort in making a buoyant pop tune. Then comes Carl Thomas, assisted by Natalie Wilson’s SOP Chorale, on "Daddy’s Song." The brooding tale of estranged fatherhood epitomizes a great soul music story-song minus the romantic drama that most such numbers address. Stunning.

Other highlights come mostly from female artists. Trinitee 5:7 takes on a boy/girl, mid-tempo love song ("It’s Alright"), while Crystal Lewis gets further ingratiated into the R&B world with a balladic turn ("Someday"). Deborah Cox re-connects with her gospel roots eloquently ("Thy Will Be Done"), and Tamar Braxton gives more evidence that gospel music is in her blood ("Try Me," with 1NC). The best showings from the gentlemen come from Boyz II Men’s Shawn Stockman on "Stand" (no relation to Donnie McClurkin’s same-named classic, but it may be equally anthemic).