The first posthumous release from is an archival release that was planned prior to his death in April 2013. excavates a gospel album recorded in 2002 with his longtime producer and collaborator . The two parted ways in 1991 when jumped from to . Around the same time, slipped into retirement and by most accounts he wasn't much interested in returning to the studio, but convinced him to produce a collection of gospel tunes. Although had released several gospel albums over the years -- appeared on in 1962; ten years later -- but what turned into 2003's were his first dedicated album sessions for religious work, which is noteworthy but perhaps not as noteworthy as it being the last time and worked together. Although the production is perhaps a shade too crisp and clean, all of 's hallmarks are in place -- this is dramatic and lush, filled with crystalline guitars, echoing pianos, and creamy backing vocals -- providing a nice coda to their historic collaboration. contains half of the 24 songs originally released on the 2003 double-disc (and one tune, "Great Judgement Morning," is a production from 1994), but it gets these very, very nice and thoroughly underappreciated recordings back into circulation, which is a good start to ' posthumous career. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine