Ghanaian gospel music feeds on all sorts of genres to roll along but Bernard Amankwah found it more exciting to specify what sort of style he employed on his new album and that is why he calls it Mercy Rescue Me: The Reggae Album.

Recorded at Zapp Mallet’s Title Track studio in Accra, the Mercy Rescue Me album has literally rescued Amankwah from the coy flirtation with reggae by most of his gospel colleagues, to hit home hard with some pretty roots rock stuff.

Zapp has been adequately acknowledged for his contribution to hiplife but he has a huge reputation when it comes to roots rock reggae. He has done some excellent work with known reggae acts like Blakk Rasta and Knii Lante and the experience reflects in Amankwah’s pleasant new album.

The gospel artist, who also ministers regularly on Joy FM, gets very adventurous with arrangements on his reggae album. The horns phrases are tight and precise, the dynamics are sparkling and he sings fairly well throughout the album.

Zapp is also given ample room for his trademark rock-tipped guitar solos. “Mercy Rescue Me is one of the best song collections I have put out because everything jelled well in the studio. We had a great time putting the material together.”

Songs on the album include Aden Water Sweet, Thank You Lord, Mercy Rescue Me, Panophobia and Lord You Are Good. Amankwah says he will definitely play tracks from the Mercy Rescue Me album at his upcoming concert to mark the sixth anniversary of his Presence Ministry.

Dubbed The Six Years of His Grace Anniversary Concert, the event has been scheduled for Sunday, August 25 at the National Theatre. “God has been good to us because within six years, the ministry has been blessed so much within and outside of this country”, Amankwah says.

Also featuring at the show slated for 4.00pm to 8.00pm, apart from Amankwah and his Presence band, are Cynthia Appiadu of Daughters of Glorious Jesus fame, Danny Nettey, Ekuba Yankey and the Acts Drama Group.