Forever Jones - Musical Revival [Music Review]

Artist: Forever Jones

Album: Musical Revival

Album Length: 11 Tracks, 38 minutes, 21 seconds

Street Date: April 10, 2012

Label: EMI Gospel

iPod Pick: Being With You

If you thought ‘He Wants All’ was the best thing that could ever happen come from the Grammy nominated family band Forever Jones, you are most definitely wrong. In a world were artists are always termed not to really outdo their first work (since it more like it took them the most time to prepare for that one) Forever Jones offers an even more powerful and vibrant sophomore project. And honestly this one is on a whole new level leaving the gospel-negro spiritual style they are known for and edging out into a unique sound which is pop/hip-hop/Urban/RnB with a bit of edginess which some might term rock.

‘Hallelujah’ starts off the album with an intro that might get you (if you are a lady) doing the independent-lady salute (and if you are a guy) doing the dougie. It’s a very groovy tune but not has groovy has the party ready and power pumped ‘Musical Revival’ that might have you throwing a party at first listen. It sounds musically something mainstream artist Rihanna might record on an album. ‘Being With You’ is beautiful in its entirety, never heard anything like it before. The vocals are slurred and sung in ad-lib Adele (or say Musiq Soulchild) style. It would break through a dusty window in your heart like sunlight with causing any damage. It’s really that beautiful and it’s got a rap too somewhere in the middle. It’s embedded in a tune that kind of allows the throwback/snapback dance. ‘Hold Me Still’, ‘Every Moment’ (my personal favorite), ‘Just The Way’, ‘Rescue’ and ‘I See You’ are very intimate songs written in the first person God format ( like God is singing) and conversational prayer form. And they are all musically beautiful. And less I forget the wailing/chant vocal form on ‘Every Moment’ is hauntingly beautiful. I paused at the window on my first listen gazing beyond through the whole song as it played over my dock station in my living room.

‘You’re Welcome’ takes us back to church (in the usual Forever Jones’ style) and it’s excellently done, lyrically and musically too. ‘Most of All’ is a bold song on the very sensitive but yet culturally relevant issue of life purpose, funny enough it might just remind you of Natalie Grant singing one of her very ‘anthemic’ songs. The vocals on ‘I know Who I’m Living For’ would bring Mali Music to mind. What would it be like if Florida made music and Mali Music did vocals? Whatever answer you come up with is what this song might sound like to you.

This album is such a complete package that this review focuses more on the musical side of it. Lyrically this album is also packed and for a Gospel album it is far from the clichéd standard most have set. I must say this is the best record yet I have listened to this year. There’s something about this record that goes way beyond its mainstream sound. I believe it’s heavily anointed. This isn’t the Forever Jones you came to know on the debut ‘Get Ready’. ‘Musical Revival’ is a whole experience you do not want to not be a part of.

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 :)

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!

NATALIE GRANT - LOVE REVOLUTION

Artist- Natalie Grant

Album- Love Revolution

Label-  Curb Records

Street date- 24 August 2010

Album length- 12 Tracks. 52 Minutes 44 Seconds

Genre- Pop

IPod pick- Human

Four times GMA award winner of the female vocalist of the year award, Natalie Grant does have a great voice, but I just don’t get the point. Why does she have to channel her powerful vocals into a genre that just doesn’t suit her voice? That story was for her former albums (maybe except ‘Awaken’, that was a good one). On ‘Love Revolution’ the story changes and more.  .  .

I couldn’t wait to lay my hands on Natalie’s Love Revolution album once I heard that former winner of American Idols; Jordin Sparks penned a song (Human) for the album. With the first listen I wasn’t disappointed. The album opens up with the rock driven ‘Daring to be’ that talks about leaving one’s comfort zone to show love to others. Generally the album avoids the pitfall of cliché lyrics. Lyrics like ‘I’m waving goodbye to my pretty little life’ on ‘Daring to be’ and ‘may what I behold still my anxious heart/ take what I have known and break it all apart’ on ‘Greatness of Our God’ (which was the first single from the album and also covered on Hillsong’s ‘Beautiful Exchange’) are proof of this.

The track ‘Love Revolution’ is a rising love anthem that I fell in love with on first listen. Natalie goes the Gospel style on ‘Someday Our King would come’, an encouragement to believers and her voice does sure shines through on this one. The beaty ‘Human’ is an RnB flavoured tune which sounds like something Jordin Sparks herself or contemporaries like Rihanna and Keri Hilson would record (if they were Christian artistes). The lyrics of this song are beautiful and powerful and I’m proud of Jordin for letting God bless the body of Christ through her with such a song. Songs like ‘Beauty Mark’ would have fitted better on former projects like ‘Deeper Life’, but still goes beautifully with the album theme.

I was surprised to find ‘Desert Song’ (written and formerly covered by Brooke Fraser for Hillsong) on this album. But I tell you, Natalie grant’s version of the song is indeed beautifully unique and I love it. The good thing about this album is that the album theme runs through even on the worship tune (Your Great Name, Power of the Cross, You Deserve, Song to The King, Greatness of Our God, Desert Song). I hear someone say ‘oh it’s a worship album after all’ but how can we love others without realizing the love the Father has for us. Brace yourselves for the love revolution. I’m in on this one. Are you?

COKO - WINNER IN ME

Artist- Coko
Album- The winner in me
Label- Light/Intersound
Street date- July 14, 2009.
Album length- 12 Tracks. 57.4 minutes.
Genre- RnB / Pop.
IPod pick- Make a way.


The year 1990 saw the birth of soul R n B trio, SWV (Sisters with voices). The platinum recording group hit the chart then with a duet with late music veteran Michael Jackson. SWV parted ways in 1998 after 6 top selling albums. Now comes (should we say) new comer or old timer lead singer of SWV Coko , who is back to deliver more in the power of the gospel.
The album starts with a funk/rap rocky anthem ‘make a way’ declaring that God is able to make a way even when there seems to be no way (featuring Gospel rapper Canton Jones). ‘Rescue me’ could be titled the ‘drive’ song of the album, that cool rhythmic track that would put you in the good mood for a walk or a long drive. Coko goes straight back to church on the title track ‘winner in me’ testifying that Jesus is the one who has made all these come to pass and that He is sure the winner in her. ’joy of the lord’ is that song you wouldn’t mind grooving to at your next birthday party. ‘ I surrender’ and ‘renew my mind’ are smooth (let’s say) ballads that would put you in the mood for worship.
All round and round, if you are fans of strong and breathy vocals of the likes of mainstream’s Rihanna, Keisha Cole and Keri Hilson, you would soon be switching places cause Coko has come to stay this time.