by Tim A. SmithThe name Karen Clark-Sheard has been synonymous with music fans for more than two decades, basically due to her association with her sisters Dorinda, Jacky, and Twinkie, collectively known as the Clark Sisters. Sheard's 1997 debut solo effort, the critically acclaimed Finally Karen, increased her already large fan base, with the assistance of special guest Donald Lawrence, urban music chanteuse Faith Evans, the Clark Sisters, and her daughter Kierra Sheard. The project garnered Sheard a Grammy nomination, a Lady of Soul award, and four Stellar awards. Her Elektra Records debut, the 2002 release 2nd Chance, pairs Sheard with some of the top production talent within the music industry, including Walter Milsap, Lawrence, the PAJAM Production team of J. Moss and Paul D. Allen, Tim & Bob, Mike City, Richard Smallwood, and Missy Elliott. Elliott shows that she can do more than produce hot hip-hop beats through the tracks "Only Call on Jesus" and "Higher Ground." Sheard gives masterful performances on both tracks, joined on the latter by fellow gospel divas Kim Burrell, Mary Mary, and Yolanda Adams. Sheard pours her heart and soul into the beautiful "If I Can't Say a Word," written and produced by Lawrence. Sheard even displays her own production and songwriting talents on the captivating "It's Not Over." The project's remaining tracks features a mixture of urban-flavored and traditional gospel-laced material.