AMG Review of Time for Healing

Jason Birchmeier
All Music Guide

Time for Healing signaled the departure of producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis from the Sounds of Blackness camp. Sounds of Blackness -- and particularly group leader Gary Hines -- also abandon the new jack swing motifs of previous albums in favor of a more urban approach. Given the album's 1997 release date, this isn't surprising -- new jack swing had overstayed its course by this point. The new, more urban-sounding Sounds of Blackness isn't afraid to collaborate with rapper Craig Mack on "Spirit," interpolate Roger Troutman on "Hold On (Change Is Comin')," and take liberties with Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff's "Love Train."