Press Play - World Anthem

Artist - Press Play

Album - World Anthem
Record Label: DREAM / Universal Music Christian
Release Date: Street Date: September 27, 2011

Album length: 12 tracks: 43 minutes, 33 seconds
iPod Pick - Walking On Air ( Feat. Manwell Reyes)



After two albums out that didn't seem to satisfy the creativity of music critics, the group formed from the former worship band of the impactful Los Angeles Dream Center is back with some fresh music. Let's see how this one unfolds.
The album starts off with the title track which starts off with a drum roll and intro which so reminiscent of Plumb's 'Great Planet Earth'. The anthem is a call to start a revolution. Group 1 Crew member Manwell appears on the dance floor ready 'F-I-R-E'. 'Let it Out' would make you double check if someone hasn't switched the CD for party hard Jamaican mix or Rihanna fast track. It an out of the box track for Press Play, really different from what you are used to from them.

'Just Like Lightning' sounds like something snatched from one those Hannah Montanna Shows with a little bit of the 80's ( say Cher or Madonna) thrown in. It's a dance floor disco light tune about surrendering. Walking on Air is a personal favorite. It a beautiful beaty and unique tune. You would simply love it.

Things suddenly take a slow and soulful turn on the tenth track 'Save My Life'. The worshipful 'Give it All' follows in the same vein show casing the fine vocals of the male member of the group. 'Angel Sings' which appeared on their debut 'Life is Beautiful' (but this time sounds way better and it's worth recording again) showcases also the fine talent of the male members once again.

Known not only on the christian music scene, my personal opinion: Press Play has come to stay and this album seals that fact. Bold, encouraging and worshipful, this is more consistent in tune compared to their former efforts. 'World Anthem' is sure a good place to start if you've never heard of this amazing band before. Check it out!

P.S. - Happy December and Merry Christmas (in advance) to all my readers. So happy to make it to the festive seasons. I love christmas. I recently gave some free music away on my other blog and also talked about a site where you can get lots of free music [Legally of course]. What are you waiting for? Click here and dive in. See it as a christmas gift . . . from me to you :)

GROUP 1 CREW - OUTTA SPACE LOVE

Artist- Group1Crew

Album- Outta Space Love

Album length- 50 mins

Record label- Fervent Records/Word

iPod Pick- Need Your Love

Wow! That’s the word that best defines Group1crew’s brand new full effort. The album kicks off with the electrified ‘Live it up’ which is sure to get you moving. Blanca’s voice is so refined so is the guys’ rap. ‘Need your love’ is that song you would just love to groove to every now and then. The songs talks about how we just can't survive without God’s love. The comparisons of God’s love to ‘rain on dry days’ and ‘ the oxygen I need to breathe’ would keep you saying a prayer as your groove to the beats. It’s all soulful worship on ‘walking on the stars’. The amazing  TobyMac is featured on the thoughtful ‘Let’s Go’ which is a wake up call. ‘There’s never a right time to get up and live life. . . . So take what’s you’ve been given and make time to turn someone’s day bright. . . The future’s what we make . . .’ This 'change' anthem is followed by the grunge styled ‘lean on me’ with rap calling out to a friend who has been through some hard times. ‘ when everybody fades away . . . remember I am here to stay’. The next song ‘ Beautiful’ is an album highlight. It’s indeed a beautiful song and Blanca’s ad-lib shines through.

The rest of the album ( Transcend, Outta space love, Manipulation, Breakdown) are party ready tracks with spiritual truth embedded with. Not neglecting the cool rap tunes about surrender  ( Please don’t let me go, Control )which also are very cool tunes. ‘Wait’ talks about patience in relationships and it has this Motown throwback. Beautiful concept!

All in all, Group1crew’s latest project is an amazing ride you don’t want to miss. Next time you stop at the music store you better grab ‘outta space love’, it’s your ticket for this out of space ride.

MANDISA - FREEDOM

Artist – Mandisa

Album – Freedom

Label – EMI CMG

Street Date – March 24, 2009.

Album Length – 11 tracks. 43 minutes, 47 second.

Genre – Pop/ R n B / Gospel/ Urban

IPod Pick – How Much

Achievements –Nominated for 2010 Grammy Award for Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year

After bitter-sweet moments on American Idols, a successful debut, a struggle with food addiction, and an ongoing promising weight loss program, American Sweet heart, author,Plus size model and season 5 top ten American Idol finalist Mandisa Hundley is back again to declare a freedom that can be found nowhere else but in Christ.

The Album starts with the mellow beaty but strong ‘My deliverer’ on which the singer declares praises singing ‘My deliverer you rescued me from all that held me captive’. ‘How much’ would set your mind on God’s love. The song asks the question how much we are loved by our heavenly father. ’Victorious’, ‘Dance, Dance, Dance’ and ‘Freedom song’ declare the mighty saving power of our God.

Gospel Rapper Blanca (from Group 1 Crew) is featured on the bouncy and lyrically bold ‘Definition of me’. Mandisa’s voice stands out passionately on ‘Not Guilty’ with lyrics that would keep you meditating on what Jesus did on the cross even after the music stops. ‘He is with you’ is an encouragement through hard times of trials, loneliness and pain. ‘Leave it in the valley’ is an encouragement to a friend having a supposed hard day. The poppy tune alone would brighten up anyone’s day. The album ends on a very mellow note with ‘You wouldn’t Cry (Andrew’s song),a song that deals with loss, grief and the realities of heaven. I love it so much cause the song is from the perspective of the deceased in heaven telling those on earth that He’s in a better place and that if they could only see where he is they wouldn’t even cry for him.

One thing I admire about Mandisa is that while contemporaries of hers hide their faith behind pop culture, she is so bold to declare it and that’s so encouraging. With ‘Freedom’ she doesn’t fail to declare the Gospel in its ability to make one free. Thanks Mandisa. You rock!

GROUP 1 CREW - ORDINARY DREAMERS

Artist – Group 1 Crew
Album- Ordinary Dreamers
Label- Fervent records
Street date- September 18, 2008.
Album length- 14 tracks. 53.2 minutes
Genre-Rap/Urban/Pop/R n B/Hip hop
IPod pick- Change


Don’t let the hip hop rap fool you, Blanca, Pablo and Manwell have something to deliver beyond the good beats and the fast said lyrics. They can rap as well as sing so well.
This album ranges from jazz (‘I see you’) to pop( ‘change’) to rock (‘keys to the kingdom’ and ‘closer’) where Blanca’s vocals are reminiscent of Amy lee of Evanessence. Any kanye west fan would be swept away by the musical style of ‘living the life’. Fans of Outkast and Wyclef jean wouldn’t be left out on tracks like ‘tonight’ and ‘live out loud’. Fans of Fergie and the black eyed peas would embrace the amazing ‘Gimme that funk’.
What really matters here is that Group 1 crew has a message and they don’t even try to sacrifice it for good beats. The album is full of the Gospel and still as ‘beaty’ as ever. It’s a double giveaway and even after the last notes fades, their message of hope and sanctification would still linger on our hearts. Good one from these guys who know how to groove in holiness!