It’s Time!

Released in 1995, It’s Time! represents a significant chapter in Candi Staton’s discography, marking a firm commitment to the gospel genre after her successful but often tumultuous career in secular R&B and disco. While Staton began her career in the Jewel Trio, this album showcases her as a seasoned veteran of the music industry. The production reflects the mid-90s gospel landscape, utilizing polished studio techniques, prominent digital keyboards, and crisp drum programming that aligned with the 'Urban Contemporary' sound of the time. However, Staton's performance prevents the album from feeling overly commercial; her signature vocal texture - honed in the studios of Muscle Shoals - remains intact. The album was well-received within the gospel community, reinforcing her status as a crossover artist who could maintain her soul identity while shifting her lyrical focus. It serves as a vital document of her mid-career spiritual revival, blending the sophisticated arrangements of 90s soul with the timeless fervor of the black church tradition.