Jenny Simmons - The Becoming [Music Review]

Artist: Jenny Simmons

Album: The Becoming

Album Length: 10 Tracks. 37 minutes, 37 seconds

Street Date: February 5, 2013

Record Label: Fair Trade Services

Genre: Pop

iPod Pick: Where I Belong

I’m sorry. I’m sorry that I gave this album a five star even before I gave it a listen. You would do that if you have been following Jenny Simmons since her Addison Road days or if you’ve been following her Cupcake, Sprinkles and Other Happy Things blog. Beyond the music, Jenny’s got an AH-mazing heart which shows forth in her music as her music has this feel of her conversing with you over coffee. “So what’s the use of this review” you might say “since the album has been five stared already” Well let’s see together if it fits the bill.

The album kicks off with guitar strumming reminiscent of the classic record ‘Torn’ by Natalie Imbruglia on ‘Where I belong’ as Jenny enters with vocals that is in fact Imbruglia -esqued  as in ‘Torn’. The song morphs into a mellow but yet bouncy chorus Florence Welch and her Machines wouldn’t mind wiggling their waist to as they did on the hit ‘Dog days are over’. ‘What Faith's About’ comes up next, a song that might just make you go open all dusty windows that have you have kept shut for so long and this is one of the many reasons why: ‘What if I jump and I find I was always made to fly? What if the days I'm walking into are the best of my whole life? What if the things that I dream become my reality? When it looks impossible, but still works out. What if that's what faith's about?’

I still don’t know why ‘Heaven Wait for Me’ which comes up next and happens to be my least favorite musically from the album was the first single to be released from this album. Lyrically it deals with a very sensitive topic with so much grace, hope and realness as Jenny shares her own personal story interwoven with the general longing we all share as humans about life and death. On ‘This I Know’ Jenny puts a playful twist on the popular classic ‘Jesus Loves Me’ which fans of Jason Mraz would immediately love on first listen cause it’s got a southern ting too. You would hear one of the best lyrics on the whole album as Jenny sings ‘History keeps trying to repeat. And the only way to stop it’s curse is learning how to speak’ on ‘Broken Hallelujah’. The song is composed with so much class and poise that it might surprise you that such a young artist would choose it for a debut release.

On ‘The Becoming’ Jenny sweetly sings out a prayer you might soon be singing along with her after a first listen ‘Jesus Hold me. Keep me from running. Cause I don’t wanna miss the beauty of becoming’. ‘Letting You Go’ is a shocker. Honestly, first I thought my ‘The Becoming’ CD had been switched for a Rihanna or say a Kelly Rowland CD. Jenny Shows us she can do the ‘hands-on-your-waist-independent-woman’ styled music accustomed to the likes of Shontelle, Jennifer Hudson, Beyonce, and Rihanna on this one, and she sure pulls it through well even with a bridge which features BGVS that would make you imagine three ladies wearing shiny dresses and stilettos behind a mic stand. Infact the next track ‘The In Between’ starts off with an intro reminiscent of Rihanna’s ‘Take a Bow’ but morphs into a playful chorus the likes of Avril Lavigne would place on an album. 

‘Don’t Loose Heart’ which is a personal favorite is beautiful in its entirety. It starts off with soft vocals and guitar strumming before the drums roll in Alanis Morisette style. Somewhere in the middle, Jenny declares powerfully in a way that might cause you to lift your hands on listening ‘He began a work He will complete. We’ll see the goodness of the Lord in the land if the living’ It forms into a kind of crescendo as the song comes to an end. Beautifully crafted tune.

‘Come Healing’ wraps up the album perfectly as Jenny starts off this one with lazy vocals in the style of Monique of The Welcome Wagon or the beloved Jewel. The funny thing about this song is how it ends with Jenny SANGing it off like one those big black ladies in a gospel choir and yes she can SANG!

Apart from blaming Jenny for not making this record longer after it ends, ‘The Becoming’ might be one of the best things that happened to your stereo this February . I think Jenny Simmon's debut is more than a record, it's a story of change and the metamorphosis. You would hear it on listening and feel it in the silence that happens after the record stops. And this record I think is an essential gift to our individual 'becoming'. 

P.S - There's a story I almost didn't share about writing this review. I wrote this review first almost two weeks ago and I lost it. Yes I lost it, I mistakenly closed up MS word (have you ever experienced that, cause if you have, it is painful). The first review I wrote, I spent hours listening and soaking in this album, feeling the music and trying to get into what the artist might have been thinking when writing the lyrics and making the music but then it was gone the next day. 

I complained and worried how whatever I would come up with after that wouldn't be as good as the first, but I still felt a nudge to go ahead.

Sometimes we loose somethings of worth on Life's road and wonder if we would ever get them back, that's not the issue the issue is if we will try again, dust it all off and live. Cause the change that matters in the light of forever must happen to us and not the things around us. Friends, was this better than the first I wrote, I don't know. Yes it(the first) was good, so good that it made me jump and made me think 'this might be the best review I have ever written' but then it was gone too and I would never have it back. But I have this and a big future and a fruitful mind to write more. And for that I am thankful.

Life fails, Check bounces, lovers leave, MS Word closes mistakenly, you got rejected from that job, but what do you have left? What are you thankful for in the midst of the mess and pain? And What would you do with what is left?

Cause friends I have found that we sometimes let what left hinder us from making good use of what is left.

Jenny Simmons is currently also sharing stories behind her songs at www.JennySimmons.com, who knows, something might make you see somethings clearer, maybe somethings like the the things that are left. :)

Colton Dixon - A Messenger [Music Review]

Artist: Colton Dixon

Album: A Messenger

Street Date: 29 January, 2013

Record Label: Sparrow Records

Genre: Rock

iPod Pick: I’ll Be The Light

21 years old Colton Dixon actually journeyed to the 11^th season of the American Idols in the year 2012 to encourage his sister during her audition and after weeks came out in the finalist roll. Sweet story huh? The best is yet to come as this young rock star's debut seals him in the lines of veterans like Coldplay,Lifehouse, Daughtry, Paramore, 30 seconds to mars and Switchfoot .

The album opens up with an intro a lot might not see a point of. Honestly I didn’t see the point too but I guess the concept of the album was more like a film project (check out the market branding on Colton's Facebook page), so if I guessed right, the intro serves well. ‘Noise’ starts with the 'thump thump' beat accustomed to the rock and roll oldies say ‘The Beatles’ or Mike Jagger of The Rolling Stones but settles for the classic rock choruses we all can predict.

‘I’ll be the light’ is a beauty, lyrically and musically. Colton sings vulnerably ‘When you’re out of faith, I’ll give you some of mine. ‘. I believe this very song stands the chance to be a rock classic that would be remembered after a long time. On ‘Love Has Come for Me’ Colton screams passionately ‘Cause this is where I am. This is where you start. And everything I needed is everything you are’. You would hear his soul on this one and I think this would make a great soundtrack for an Hollywood blockbuster, listening you would sure imagine an high school scene or say a love story, you would say I told you so. ‘Scars’ has this rocky melodic chorus that would make you move side to side to it. The song might just make you take a walk and raise your hands to the wind too. It’s a great tune.

I think one thing that stands out in the rock made by Colton Dixon is the lyrical intertwining with music. Colton's got soul and that's sure. He is clear about his message and doesn't trade it all on the table of mediocre sound. 'A Messenger' a collection of great rock tunes mostly melodic and loud with a one or two ballad thrown in between ('Let Them See You', 'Rise') but beyond that Colton brings lots of hope to the table too. Might just be one of the best things that has happened to rock since Daughtry's Home.

Tasha Cobbs - Grace [Music Review]

Artist: Tasha Cobbs
Album: Grace
Street Date: 2/5/13
Record Label: EMI Gospel
Genre: Gospel
iPod Pick: Get Up


I just absolutely love Tasha Cobbs. Behind the stilettos and big hair is a heart that longs to worship God passionately and appropriately and you wouldn’t miss that in the music Tasha offers on ‘Grace’.
‘Get Up’ is hot tempo meet Gospel music. It’s a power chant of sorts for a generation as Tasha sing-scream the ad-lib ‘Let the Kingdom of God rise’. You would sure rise and do a non-rhythmic dance. Yeah non-rhythmic, the tune is that sick! ‘Love You Forever’ hangs more on the soulful type but picks up at the bridge like that Travis Greene song, yeah you got it right ‘Heaven is Loud’.

‘Happy’ is a happy church song. You know the type the worship team leader sings with all smiles on her face like she just won a lottery. The lyrics Tasha sings on this one open our eyes to the truth that we’ve got something more than a lottery as Christians ‘everything about you is right. It covers all my wrongs. Your life saved my life. With you is where I belong’ Although it morphs into a chorus that could make the old church mamas and papas move frantically from side to side or get off their seat and do the foot zig-zag dance, Tasha rounds it up sharp and soulfully doing an ad-lib with ‘Everything about you is right’ that would cause anyone that loves good music to shiver slightly and feel the chills.

‘For Your Glory’ and ‘Grace’ slow things down a bit giving us songs that would be so appropriate for the Sunday morning drive to church preparing our hearts for the worship beyond.
I heard a cover of ‘Smile’ a while back on one of Tasha’s former indie releases and have loved it since then. It’s a great song. ‘Break Every Chain’ is that power song we always wait for on any gospel album we pick up. Filled with lots of declarations, prayer and faith, you would leave this one playing in your living room for a long time.

Tasha has a great big voice and what I love most about her music is her fearlessness in stepping beyond the boundaries, not being scared to infuse lots of creativity into the ‘old as days’ genre called Gospel. Lovers of Adele, Le’Andria Johnson, Jennifer Hudson, Helen Baylor, Crystal Lewis and Mary Alessi have a new friend, welcome Tasha Cobbs. This lady is sure here to stay.

[Review Originally Penned  For and Featured Courtesy of TheGospelGuru.com]

Da' T.R.U.T.H. - Love Hope & War [Music Review]

Artist: Da’ T.R.U.T.H.
Album: Love, Hope, War
Street Date: 29^th of January 2013
Record Label: XIST Music
Genre: Hip/Hop
iPod Pick: Ugly Love


Christian Hip Hop (if there’s anything like that) has come a long way over the last ten years with artistes like Priesthood (Known for the awesome crafted ‘Sprinkle Me Luv’) and ‘Papa’ T Bone leaving the scenes for intermediates such as KJ 52, and Ambassador. But with recent artistes like Propaganda, Lecrae and the 116/Reach Records Clique (ex and in, yes I mean ex and in. ex e.g. Sho Baraka), there’s a big competition out there even with the mainstream contemporaries and the roofs just got blown open with the releases fans have been getting recently. But Does Da’ T.R.U.T.H. latest record ‘Love, Hope, War’ make the roof the limit or the starting point? Let’s see…

Honestly when ‘The City’ started off, I just wanted to skip cause it sounded like one of those pop driven Karen Clark gospel songs (All my love for Karen, she is a powerhouse. Salute!) But was just intro.  The song builds up into something you would want to dance to, learn the lyrics and sing out your heart out along with Da’ T.R.U.T.H. as he talks passionately about a place beyond this place. Unlike most songs about heaven, Da’ T.R.U.T.H. doesn’t complain about ‘earth’ on this one, he even claims ‘I’ve got my umbrella if I’m standing in the rain’.

On D.O.S, Da’ T.R.U.T.H. raps boldly ‘ ain’t time to be peacemaking, men is time to be violent. Confrontation, that’s necessary’. One of the major themes on ‘Love Hope & War’ is a call to action for Christians to be who they’ve been called to be and stop trying to be ‘nice’. “ Heard that before” you might say but Da’ T.R.U.T.H. brings it closer to home by dealing with real topics such as how sexual temptation and addiction weakens Christians to stand up in the face of their world calling (‘Hunger Games’, ‘Peace Talking’).

Also ‘The G.O.A.T’ (meaning ‘The Greatest of all time’) deals with this generation’s obsession with celebrity. ‘J.I.F.E.’ (which means ‘Jesus is for everybody’) musically is beautifully and groovy. Honestly I’m still trying to grasp how the names ‘Kanye West’ and ‘Nick Cannon’ show up on this song. Interesting! 
Someone please tell me why ‘Real Love’ sounds so ‘Drake-ish’. That said, I also think Da’ T.R.U.T.H.’s rap morphed on his new record. He sounds a lot more confident. Like he’s found a niche and I’m wondering why it took so many years.  ‘Table Talk’ is the song we’ve been waiting for. You got to print out the lyrics and put it up on your wall, it’s a message that must not be missed in the music. Powerful!

The opening of ‘Ugly Love’ would break up a big smile on your face. It’s a beautiful poignant tune. Don’t be surprised if you find your hands going up to the tune like you are in a concert. It’s a great song. It’s like Mr.  Lambert kept the best ones for last space as the groovy old school tinged Mary J. Blige-d styled ‘What about Love’ appears on track 11. The march past ‘Where Was I’ which deals with the sensitive topic of suicide as he talks about a friend who put a bullet through his head. The three last songs are worth the price of the album all together.

Putting aside hard to decipher abbreviations and unnecessary references to popular culture, this is like the best Christian rap record made in the last one year. Lecrae’s Gravity’s got nothing on this one, Propaganda’s Excellent neither. Beautiful Eulogy’s Satellite Kite no way. Though some may argue that ‘Love Hope & War’ is more message focused, true, but I think it balances out fine with its music. Go get Mr. Emmanuel Lambert’s (a.k.a Da’ T.R.U.T.H.)’s ‘Love Hope & War), you would be printing sermon notes soon and throwing a party too.


[Review Originally Penned  For and Featured Courtesy of TheGospelGuru.com]

Cheneta Jones - Transformed [Music Review]

Artist: Cheneta Jones

Album: Transformed

Album Length: 12 Tracks: 47 minutes, 8 Seconds

Street Date: May 22. 2012

Label: Indie

iPod Pick: Be Like You

Genre: RnB

Let me put this out there first, the ‘Intro’ on Cheneta’s Debut is worth the price of the CD. It’s an acoustic reflective tune that would just get right through to you. 'Be Like You'  ‘I’m Yours’ rushes in with the rough beat RNB style artist such as Beyonce, Kierra KiKi Sheard and Tamia are known for. In fact on the ending Cheneta goes Motown with the adlibs just like Beyonce on her Austin Powers hit single ‘Work It Out’.

‘Liberty’ is that type of song you want to wake up to in the morning. It’s chorus is soft yet bold as Cheneta sings  ‘I’m walking in my liberty, no longer bound my insecurity. Forgetting those things which are behind. Future’s looking bright. I’m free’.  The free ranged adlib singing on ‘Get There’ is beautiful; it gives a very jazzy feel. ‘Disappear’ is a personal favorite as it uses strings and echoes in the classic Brandy style. Honestly you would love it. It’s a really beautiful piece. Other highlights include ‘We Worship You’ , ‘Sweet Obsession’ (a power-up beaty track which keeps me wondering why it shows up almost at the end of the CD) and ‘Hold On’. 

One thing about Cheneta Jones’ music is it subtle boldness. There’s the audacity that shines through her voice. For fans of Keri Hilson’s beaty ‘Pretty Girls Rock’, Beyonce’s Music and Brandy’s Soulful vibes looking for something more and deeper that honors God, Cheneta is your best bet and she’s sure going to be around for a long time, you can sure hear it in the sound.

Keyondra Lockett – Soul Couture [Music Review]

Artist: Keyondra Lockett
Album: Soul Couture (The Mixtape)
IPod Pick: Domino



There’s a new thing for covers of mainstream tunes amongst Christian circles these days, with Evin Amiri’s release of ‘Freedom Music’ and Israel Houghton giving pipes to ‘Make You Feel My Love’ (Made popular by Adele) on his new project ‘Jesus at the Center’. And guess what, class styled Keyondra Lockett doesn’t by pass the opportunity to make her own share of mainstream covers with the beaty Jessie J’s ‘Domino’ opening up the mixtape (obviously some lyrics were changed). If you are wondering ‘what’s the result of this musically?’, would you imagine with me for a moment Mary J. Blige singing one of Madonna’s pop tune say  ‘Like a Prayer’ while trying desperately to walk in her singing shoes. Funny, absurd or interesting, whatever comes to your mind first is what describes Keyondra’s version of ‘Domino’.  Personally, I love her version cause it really brings in an old school, retro, groovy feel with her beautiful ad-libs.

Can I be honest with you? ‘Turn up The Music’ which is a Chris Brown cover is so uncalled for. Even with the lyric change, I assure you you won’t stop singing the Chris Brown lyrics you already know alongside even as you listen to Keyondra’s. ‘Refill’ (an Elle Varner cover) and ‘Again’ (a Faith Evans cover) are beautiful in their rendition and gives us a real feel of what Keyondra’s music might be all about if she decides to bring entirely original songs to the table.

Are you ready for the last surprise, Keyondra also does a cover of Adele’s ‘Someone Like You’ and I must say that is a very bold choice, for this very reason I want to have a talk with Keyondra Lockett over dinner and hear her story. She is sure a strong lady with guts. Who covers an already very successful and popular song whose artist is so incomparable to many in the music market? A lot would find this intimidating. And you guess what? She does it without the pressure, though the lyrics she puts in at times might feel like square pegs in round holes (also on the ‘Turn up The Music’ cover) but she still delivers a soulful worshipful tune that helps us savor her uniqueness.

So is the mixtape worth getting since it’s mostly covers? Yes it is, in fact if I were to rate it with the hook ups and hang ups I have with it, I still give it a five star. I love the ‘holiness in high heels’ feel Keyondra brings to the table. I see her even after her first full length or debut going ahead to be a strong role model for young ladies out there. She is one bold person you need to watch out for on the music scene and she would sure be around for a long time even after the Dominos falls. LOL. (And jokes apart you gotta love her version of Domino. Get the mixtape for free here if you haven’t)

Tamela Mann – Best Days [Music Review]

Artist: Tamela Mann
Album: Best Days
Label: TillyMann
iPod Pick: Back In The Day Praise


First this, I was so excited to hear Tamela Mann ( who has showed up in movies such as ‘Madea Goes to Jail’ and ‘Meet The Browns’) would be staring as Sarah Waters in the new movie ‘Sparkle’ ( also starring CeeLo Green and Jordin Sparks) dedicated to tell the Whitney Houston’s story. That said she’s also got a new album titled ‘Best Days’ and these days really seem to be becoming the best in her career with the launch of a new show ‘Hanging With The Manns’.

The album starts off with the bouncy ‘Best Days’ which follows in the choir styled vocals of artists like Karen Clark Sheard, Crystal Aikin and Cece Winans but still fresh and innovative in sound. The intro of ‘I’ll Hold On’ is captivating as Tamela’s soothing voice sails in. The surprising part is how the chorus of the very same song morphs into a rock tune. Though beautiful and reflective, it’s one of those songs that you would mutter to yourself after a first listen how it kind of almost landed the greatest hits line. It’s hard to figure out why this song (‘I’ll Hold On’) might not just land on the greatest hit list (yeah, one of those songs that would be sung for a long time and remembered as one of the best from Tamela) cause it’s a great song in its self but I think its sweet melodies refuse to rise above the repetitive, leaving it ‘drabby’ in the long run.

Other highlights include ‘Take Me to the King’ (produced by Kirk Franklin), worshipful and reflective in its own right, though you don’t have to be told before you would know Kirk crafted this one. ‘Lord We Are Waiting’, ‘All to Thee’ and ‘Rain’ gives us more worshipful moments on the album. On ‘This Place’ Mrs. Mann starts off with an endearing story of God’s help and grace, it’s a great morning song and the backup choir’s harmony impeccable. ‘Back In The Day Praise’ is that song you want to turn up the volume in your car and risk throwing up your hands in the air while driving (Please do not try that, even if you get to feel this song. You would though but I repeat DO NOT try that still. LOL). The Album rounds off with ‘Hymns: The Blood Medley’ on which Tamela takes us right back to old school church and of course with an old school styled organ play.
In a recent interview I read, when asked which one artist would she like to collaborate with, Mrs. Mann mentioned Celine Dion and I was like ‘sweet!’ That really speaks towards the type of innovation and creativity Mrs. Mann plans to bring to the table in the future. Honestly, this is one of the ‘fun’ and ‘a little bit’ out of the box Gospel album I have heard this year ( that is if I am terming J Moss and Forever Jones’ new ones as RnB/Pop) but still I would say it sometimes as the disc spins sounds like something we’ve heard before, In fact lyrics clichéd sometimes. Some things I’m sure of, and one is, for music to last a long time on our iPods, the lyrics must tell an original story or an old story in a new way, telling it with heart and passion and for the sound , it sure must not remind us of something already on our iPods. For Tamela Mann’s new record, we will spinning some songs for a long time ( ‘This Place’ ‘I’ll Hold On’ and ‘Back In The Day Praise’) but I believe there’s more to come.

To the artist (Mrs. Mann) keep the good work up, you’ve got a great voice! And to the fans, looking for some fresh gospel? This is worth the buy, trust me.

[Review Originally Penned  For and Featured Courtesy of TheGospelGuru.com]

Max Lucado - Wild Grace [Book Review]

Wild Grace is an adaptation for teens of Max Lucado’s new book titled Grace: More Than We Deserve, Greater Than We Imagine. And the unsaid thing about most adaptations is usually how they could be watered down but half –way through wild grace, I was wondering why Max Lucado didn’t set it out as a whole new project cause though targeted towards teens, it’s a book I think everyone should read.

One of the outstanding things about this book is its practicality. For a topic like grace, you expect to hear lots of theological terms and references that might make you grasp for the next bible dictionary but Wild Grace is simple but yet deep. Please when planning to read make sure your highlighter is at hand.

In Wild Grace, Max in his usual Story telling style explains how God’s grace flows into everyday life, how it affects decisions, how it changes life and how tangible it is. He even takes it a step further to answer tough questions not just teens but everyone faces about salvation whether it’s eternal or not. Another amazing part of this book is the real life stories of well-known Christians imbibed in the book. This would sure be an encouragement and a reminder of how God’s grace comes through to teenagers.

I really think more books should be written like Wild Grace and one thing that really stands out with this one is that it is so real and practical. It meets you at the junction of everyday life. Isn’t that how books are meant to be?