Beckah Shae - Destiny

Artist – Beckah Shae


Album – Destiny

Recording Label - Shae Shoc Records

Street Date - August 16, 2011

Album Length – 12 tracks: 43 minutes, 27 seconds

Genre – Hip-Hop/ RnB/ Pop

iPod Pick – Music



There’s this fire and pumped up zeal that comes with anything indie artist Beckah Shae does. From her Youtube pop medley series to her inspiring tweets and to her former albums. And she sure doesn’t fail to deliver that on her new project. Two things never cease to amaze me when I hear the music of Shae. 1. The lyrical depth and rooting in God’s word and 2. Her easy, original and not forced mainstream sound.

It’s no news anymore that it’s hard to compare Beckah’s music to anyone’s style in the Christian market. Talk Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Leona Lewis and a bit of J Lo‘s new sound (yes, the sassy Mrs. Anthony and I’m talking about her ‘I’m into you’ style) now you are getting there and you aren’t even there yet.

Beckah’s last record ‘Life’ was so good (with tunes to be remembered down history’s lane like ‘Imagine’, ‘Forgiveness’, and ‘I’m Beautiful’) and I’m glad to tell you ‘destiny’ is in fact better. Kicking off with the ‘sing it your way’ styled ‘Are You Ready’ where Mrs Shae displays her amazing vocal range, and on to the mind+party bumping ‘Music’ which I personally think should go on mainstream radio. It’s a sound and useful advice to all music makers (no matter what genre) out there. ‘Music . . . . It has the power to take you somewhere’ Beckah croons. This is followed up by another party ready track titled ‘Supernova’ then the dancehall/ hip hop/ pop ‘Holy’ comes up next.

Other highlights on the album are . . . . It’s really hard selecting the highlights for this amazing album of terribly fantastic sounds and fresh message from the throne of grace. But when you pick up ‘Destiny’ take time to listen to tracks like ‘Hope’, ‘#PutYourLoveGlassesOn’ (In fact you can’t even miss this!), ‘Just to Know’ (This is a personal favorite) and the ragga flavored ‘Show Me’. These are sounds hidden somewhere in the middle you really don’t want to be caught skipping.

And yes, less I forget, ‘Just to Know’ is actually my personal iPod Pick (Though I have the whole album loaded) but this particular song speaks to me in deeper way, in common words: I think it was written for me. LOL! . . . And I think we can all relate to it too.

I can’t tell you all you are and would miss in just a review if you are not going to pick up Beckah Shae’s Destiny in the music store. It’s really fantastic and yeah . . . . It was worth waiting for!

Melissa Greene - Next step

Artist- Melissa Greene


Album- Next Step

Label- KOCH records

Street date - March 3, 2009.

Album length- 10 tracks. 40.1 minutes.

Genre- Pop

Ipod pick- Imagine

Every now and then we hear a song on the radio that inspires our heart to take action and make our world a better place. Worship Pastor and Former member of the group Avalon is here to give us more of songs like that on her debut. ‘Can you imagine what the world would be. . . . If Hope is the language we all learn to speak’ 30 year old Melissa asks on ‘Imagine’, a rocky ‘anthemic’ song about impacting our world. This is followed by should I say a consecration song ‘Wonder’ were the skilled singer cries out with strong vocals for more of Jesus. ‘Next Step’ is that beaty song reminiscence of the pop tunes of the Jessica Simpsons and Jennifer Lopez but with hope filled lyrics on getting back up when life seems to press a stop.

‘Long road to forgiveness’ would soon be a favorite once heard. A story song in the likes of Mark Schultz’s ‘Letters from War’ which centers on the joys and pains of letting go and forgiveness. ‘Army’ testifies of God’s mercy and refuge. It affirms God fighting our battles for us. ‘Too far’ is a nice pop rock driven tune. The album takes a solemn turn on ‘Jody’s Song’ where the singer sings about trusting God over the loss of a loved one.

For starters, I think this is a good start for Melissa Greene. Thumbs up to her for bringing up an original sound with her and not giving us something that sounds anywhere near Avalon. Wanting something new and refreshing this summer? The shelf holding Melissa Greene’s ‘Next Step’ should be your next stop when next you visit the music store.

PLUMB - BEAUTIFUL HISTORY

Artist – Plumb

Album – Beautiful History: A Hits Collection

Label – Curb

Street Date – November 3, 2009.

Album Length – 20 Tracks. 1 Hour, 32 Minutes, 33 Seconds.

Genre – Pop/Electronica /Rock

IPod Pick – Stranded (2010)

Achievements - The first single off Beautiful History, "Hang On" reached number one in US Billboard Hot Dance Cub Play in 2009 and additionally became the first single of 2010 to reach the top spot in Billboard's Hot Dance Airplay chart.


Maybe what catches me about Plumb is her life journey that everyone can relate to. In early 2000's, Plumb almost gave up recording and doing music when she got a note from a young female fan before her supposed last concert saying that Plumb’s music had really influenced her life and really helped her through a very hard time. That in itself was a miracle. It made Tiffany Arkbuckle lee (a.k.a. Plumb) to embrace her career once again and start over again.
Plumb has a way of writing lyrics that reflects that we live in a world of people not just a ‘me, myself and I’ world. Her lyrics would start you thinking in a new direction. ‘Real’ a song inspired by the controversy caused by Jennifer Lopez’s low Versace gown which she wore to the 2000 Grammys, would help you see the lifestyle of the Rich and the famous in a new perspective. ‘Stranded’ is that Love song that sings silently in the heart of every lovebird in love but not wanting to make the first approach. The harmonies and guitars of the Plumb’s 2010 recording of this hit would make you fall in love with it in a new way. ‘God Shaped Hole ’, famous for its appearance on the soundtrack list of blockbuster movie ‘Bruce Almighty’ also has a new recording on this hit collection. ‘There’s a God shaped hole in all of us and the restless soul is searching’, Plumb sings anew on this recording. Two brand new song appear on this project (‘Hang on’ and ‘Beautiful History’). Trust me, its vintage Plumb style.
The other half of this album is filled with new remixes. You would love them and if you are the dancing type, it’s all the way. Plumb who is known for ambient sounds of the likes of Enya,Amy lee of Evanessence, Lara Landon, Dido and generation next diva, Leona Lewis is back with freshly recorded old tunes with some brand new stuff alongside. The thing about hit collections are that they could be monotonous and give you the ‘headache’ of having multiple tracks of the same title in your library but Plumb breaks that jinx beautifully with a ‘beautiful history’. For new fans of Plumb, ‘Beautiful History’ is a must have. For old fans it’s indeed a beautiful history and you don’t want to miss out on this.