While Kim Burrell’s work has always radiated a warm glow, The Love Album noticeably turns up the heat with songs that blend the sanctified with the sensuous. She presents her unique brand of jazzy gospel with a batch of mostly self-composed tunes that meditate on both romance and redemption. Burrell’s ability to explore a range of idioms without diluting her gospel essence serves her well here. From the billowing ‘70s-style soul of “Sweeter” to the sophisticated nightclub stylings of “Is This the Way Love Goes?” and the classy piano balladry of “Love Me in a Special Way,” she turns in impeccable performances with fluency and passion. Songs like “Let Us Make It to Love” and “Love’s Holiday” have the seductive glide of smooth jazz-pop, while “Open Up the Door” and a reworking of The Clark Sisters’ classic “Jesus Is a Love Song” update traditional gospel themes with imaginative flair. With production input by Asaph Ward and Cory Henry, Burrell’s Ella Fitzgerald–like vocal flights are set to arrangements with both retro and contemporary influences. It's heartfelt, Spirit-filled, and musically exhilarating.