The smooth vocal stylings on this album could fit in any creamy soul- or R&B-pop setting; the uplifting lyrics could agree with any number of romantic interpretations; but the near fervor — the insistent sense of passionate belief — is closer to gospel than anything else. Which makes perfect sense, considering that Little Willie G. (born Garcia) has been an ordained minister for more than 15 years.

His initial claim to musical fame came back in the mid-1960s, when his band Thee Midniters played around with other east L.A. bands such as Cannibal and the Headhunters, and charted on Billboard with a version of "Land of 1,000 Dances." After getting lost in the land of rock 'n' excess, Garcia wandered, then devoted himself to the ministry.

But he's still got the vocal chops to support his rep as one of the best singers to rise from that vital Chicano-rock scene of the 1960s. On Make Up for the Lost Time, he applies his open-hearted approach to a dozen songs about love — of desire, of spirit, of humankind and the world. He clearly connects with the positive messages, and his voice, still supple and mellifluous, is easy on the ears.

The songs are a mix of originals and evocative covers of the likes of Aretha Franklin, Bobby Womack and Harold Payne. "It'll Never Be Over for Me" (RealAudio excerpt) and the romantic "Joy in the Palace" (dedicated to the memory of Grover Washington Jr.) are convincing pledges of true love.

Garcia's version of the funky old Parliaments hit "(I Wanna) Testify" (RealAudio excerpt) rocks the most aggressively. The irresistible dance grooves are powered by the Rev. Charles Williams' mighty Hammond B-3 organ and lean electric leads from blues guitarist Kid Ramos, with help from Los Lobos' David Hidalgo, who also produced this disc. Other guests include Los Lobos bassist Conrad Lozano, drummer Dave Raven of L.A.'s funky blues-rock Mojo Monkeys, and percussionist Alberto Salas, whose co-write with Garcia, the timbale-accented "Cultura," is another standout.

The title tune has a finger-snapping swing to it, with layers of backup vocals and bold horns supporting Garcia's new theme song: "We got to make up for the lost time/ Got to let it start from here/ It's time to put the past behind us/ And forget about the wasted years."