R&B and gospel have always been close, good neighbors, yet some might say gospel has borrowed more than a couple cups of sugar of late from next door. But Fred Hammond is making music with such a sweet aroma that one may find R&B peering hungrily over gospel’s backyard fence to see what’s cooking.

Hammond and RFC are innovative with their arrangements and instrumentation. Synthesizers receive minimal usage on a rich soundscape bristling with Rhodes organ, nimble electric bass, live drums and occasional strings. In ways, Purpose by Design makes a gospel analogy to the recent works of neo-retro soulsters like D’Angelo and Angie Stone, only drawing upon twice as bountiful a heritage: gospel and R&B. The sonic palette here makes for an even more unified listening experience than the group’s platinum-selling breakthrough from 1998, Pages of Life (Chapters 1 & 2).

Thematically, Hammond and RFC add still more to that unified listening. Purpose by Design revolves around God’s promises for His children. Check out songs like "I Want My Destiny" and "I Press" as well as more subdued offerings such as "Let Me Praise You" and "Yes He Will" to discover how Hammond puts new spins on old ideas.

"My Father Was/Is" is a reflection on the constant presence of Hammond’s heavenly Father in the big and small moments of his life. A remake of Sam Cooke’s "Jesus Be a Fence Around Me" brings out RFC’s more traditional side to lively effect.

Hammond’s solo vocals and his arrangement for RFC come on strong and inventive as ever. Purpose by Design makes a sterling statement of gospel being conscious of its roots as it also pushes windows wide open toward the genre’s future.