The Voice Bible by Ecclesia Bible Society [Book Review]

So I finally got a copy of the buzzed and most talked about latest bible translation (The Voice) and can’t wait to share my experience using it with you in this review.

I have a big thing for Bible translations and paraphrases, honestly I do. And it’s not really an obsession of sorts; it’s just the beauty and advantage they bring along in making the bible relevant with today’s culture. How the context is amplified and how there so much rich enlightenment and practicality by just reading a modern translation. Texts that made no meaning in the old somehow just pops out and become a life verse or a wisdom nugget in the new. This has been seen in popular versions such as ‘The New Living Translation’, ‘The Message’ (by Eugene Peterson) and ‘The New Century Version’. 

So the BIG question is (which I also asked as I opened up ‘The Voice’ for the first time) ‘What does ‘The Voice’ (uniquely) has to offer?’ or better said ‘Why should I choose ‘The Voice’ over other versions in the market?’ 

The first thing that caught me off guard as I opened ‘The Voice’ was the ‘Shakespearean’ format in which it was written (obviously not language or grammar wise. Lol). It’s written like a play, where the person speaking is highlighted before the statement, and this is so creative and beautiful. I can’t wait for a couple of friends to get it too so we can read the bible out loud together choosing different characters in a particular passage. One word; Coolness!  Another great feature I noticed was the addition of context, i.e. a verse is actually written in such a way that supplementary information which is contextual but not scriptural is included to help readers who are unfamiliar with the story or with the ancient world understand the text better. For example let’s say Matthew 2:22 (where the bible talks about King Herod’s son), it reads like this in ‘The Voice’

Soon he learned that Archealaus, Herod’s oldest and notoriously brutal son, was ruling Judea. Archelaus might not be any friendlier than Herod had been. Joseph was simply afraid. He had another dream, and in this dream, he was warned away from Judea; so Joseph decided to settle up north in a district called Galilee.

We see in this verse how the italicized lines aren’t really a part of the verse in the other translations but help give context to the verse.

Something else which makes the voice unique are inbuilt commentaries written by yours truly modern people such as artists like Matt Wertz, Tara Leigh Cobble, Jill Phillips, Charlie Hall, Kendall Payne, Sara Groves and also writers such as the much loved Donald Miller ( 'Blue Like Jazz') , Lauren Winner ('Girl Meets God') , Matthew Paul Turner  ('What You Didn't Learn from Your Parents About Christianity') and Kerry Shook ( Senior Pastor 'Woodlands Church' Texas). 

With a few days already (digging) into this version, I must say it is packed and there is so much more (including several charts (also genealogy charts) to give a quick and larger context  to a biblical passage, Added information to set the scene for dialogue, Longer commentaries, study charts and lots more).  

I believe ‘The Voice’ is a great study resource and also a bible to take for group meetings. It is rich and had the modern, hip reader in mind who has spent a major part of his life reading and watching stories set in set in scenes and dialogue while being translated and also the reader who wants more and has a thirst for what God has been trying to say through his word. 

Looking for the bible to come alive in 3D with rich colors like a cinema screen before you? ‘The Voice’ is your best bet.

* Please note, ‘The Voice’ is a modern language dynamic equivalent translation.

Anthony Brown & Group TherAPy - Anthony Brown & Group TherAPy [Music Review]

Artist: Anthony Brown & Group TherAPy
Album: Anthony Brown & Group TherAPy
Label: Tyscot Records
iPod Pick: Better Days

Okay here’s the deal, the first thing that caught my attention on first listen to Anthony Brown & Group therAPy’s self-titled debut was Anthony’s voice. Wait, it’s not the typical Deitrick Haddon or Chris Brown type but it’s got this crispy, husky and soothing feel, (think Bebe mixed with a bit of Donnie but more organic and raw). I absolutely loved it even as he opened up the Jazz styled first track (Group Therapy). He effortlessly sails through personal sounding lyrics that discuss satisfaction and where it can only be found. Even in this song, his voice soars from the low to the high again and again. ‘I Will Be’ utilizes the church clap style a lot of gospel tunes are accustomed to but the vocals remain sharp throughout. The song lyrically talks about being all God’s called one to be. ‘Better Days’ which opens up with Anthony’s great voice in an animated way and also with hopeful lyrics (Open your eyes. Today’s a brand new day and those tears you cried are all in yesterday) would sure get you off your seat on getting to its chorus. You can’t be still with this one.

For me ‘Water’ gets a five star, not that it brings anything new musically to the table but there’s a strange worshipful moment on that song no one would want to miss. The track overflows into ‘Overflow’ which might almost be mistaken if left alone as a chant by one of those very big voiced choirs. Simply said; innovative. ‘Harvest Song’ musically is a free bird. On hearing it, I’m like ‘why didn’t this start off the album?’ The choir modulation which was also utilized on ‘Better Days’ makes ‘Your Way’ shine. ‘Beyond Beyond’ showcases beautiful vocals from different members of the group and kinds of soar with different melodies.

Listening to Anthony Brown & therAPy for me was an adventure though I knew there was something more to this group even as I listened to the songs. Some songs had a leg out of the boundaries already explored by gospel music and some had both legs in. It feels like Anthony Brown and his friends have loads of creativity and stories to tell in their hands but hold back all in the name of a genre. The stories behind some of the songs are personal but fall back into clichéd lyrics we’ve probably heard before. I hopefully wait for their sophomore release, this is one musical group that has the potential of walking the red carpets of the Grammys to receive an award very soon, only if they allow God tell and paint at the same time the unique voice he wants the world to hear through them.

P.S – All the same this is still a great work any lover of classical gospel would love and those who embrace the contemporary scene too. Good efforts Anthony Brown & Group therAPy.

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

Bob Goff - Love Does [Book Review]

Whimsy! That’s the word best describes everything about Bob Goff’s new book titled ‘Love Does’. To get straight to the point, if you are looking for that ‘ten step’ book or a heavy dose of spiritual theology, you might just skip this book, but Bob serves up short chapters of irresistibly real stories rounding them up with a spiritual context in each chapter. The interesting part is though the stories and ending truths might seem misplaced sometimes, they don’t come forced. Bob Goff is a lawyer and doesn’t try a bit to sound like a theologian.

One of the stories that connected with me in a very deep way was ‘The Interviews’. I smiled deeply and my eyes misted as I read how Bob’s children wrote letters (in the aftermath of the 9-11 incident) offering an invitation to all presidents, princes and leaders in the world, how a lot said ‘No’ and how a lot also said ‘Yes’, how they handed over as a parting gift a copy of their home key to each world leader they met with. Bob ends this chapter with a notion that rings true about how unity doesn’t necessarily mean uniformity ‘I want to live in a new normal where I can reach out to people who are different from me and just be friends’.

One thing that kept me leaving each chapter amazed as I read ‘Love Does’ was the simple ordinary approach Bob uses to land very deep and resounding truths and lines. Some lines made me drop the book and think and at times go for a long walk, some made me pick up the phone and dial a number that had expired my long call history list and some made me race into the nearest store to buy a gift to wrap up for someone before we met next.

Though some chapters seem over stretched and some lessons seem like misplaced jigsaw puzzle pieces for the stories before (which at times were a bit too abstract and not too grounded), and I honestly say this cause I want to read Bob’s next book and I want it to be better ( I hope he is reading this. Lol). ‘Love Does’ is a great book worth the read. It’s the amazing story of God through the eyes and life of a lawyer.

P.S. – All of the proceeds from the book are being donated to Restore International’s Leadership Academy in Gulu, Uganda (www.restoreinternational.org) and the Mentoring Project (www.thementoringproject.org).  These two organizations are committed to loving kids intangible ways and moving the needle in their lives. They’re worth getting involved in.

KB - Weight & Glory [Music Review]

Artist- KB
Album- Weight & Glory
Album Length- 14 Tracks: 53 Minutes, 44 Seconds
Release Date – July 17, 2012
iPod Pick – Hello (Feat. Suzy Rock)
Genre – Hip Hop Rap


The idea and Buzz of KB seems ‘underdog’ in nature from doing covers such as Lecrae’s ‘Background‘ (on his EP ‘Who is KB?’ ) and various collaboration with major artist but it would surprise you that KB delivers on his debut with the confidence of a veteran, yeah like he’s been around a long time. Though very original in his hip, matured and at the same time youthful sound, for the sake of those who don’t know KB I would make quick comparisons of his sound with the sound of Lil Wayne (you know that low key deep slur rap he does) and B.O.B (the whole playful and youthful sound of his). And at times you would hear the care free dropping of bars of mainstream British rapper Tinie Tempah. That said let’s move on to what KB’s debut ‘Weight & Glory’ is really like.

‘Weight & Glory’ is really a bold project dealing with weighty themes bordered on real life issues. On ‘Hello’ (which would sure end up as your ringtone on first listen) features the amazing Suzy Rock. It’s a song about facing the new mercies God gives to us each single day. This is easy to miss but lyrics like ‘Oh I’m letting go of my yesterday. . . Every day I live is another day. I know that I’ve been forgiven’ would sure make this truth hard to miss. Hard Clap tunes aren’t left out on tracks such as ‘Angels’ and ‘Church Clap’ the latter featuring Lecrae. Listeners familiar with the metal sound of bands such as Thousand Foot Krutch and Hawk Nelson wouldn’t be too surprised at the intro of ‘Don’t Mean Much’ which features Sho Baraka.

On ‘Go Off’ which features Andy Mineo and Tedashii, you would hear fine lines such as ‘You think being meek is weak huh. Try being meek for a week’. ‘Mr. Pretender’ though might sound a bit like something we’ve heard before deals with the controversial theme of Church Hypocrisy. ‘Open Letter (Battlefield)’ is another beautiful heartfelt track on which KB reads letters sent in probably from different fans having various struggles. You would sure raise your hands at the end of this song as KB declares boldly the ability of our God in bringing healing to his children who are broken in unimaginable ways.

Skipping the slight monotony in some tracks, an almost hardcore rap feel and lyrics a bit hard to decode, KB’s album is a great album to invest in. It’s not just dope music, this man’s got something going beneath it all. Even in his music, you would sense a fervor to reach people for God, to share His hope, grace and all He’s freely given.

If you thought Lecrae was the best thing that ever happened to the CCM rap scene or tired of songs about drugs, girls and ghetto life from mainstream rappers, you need to check out KB’s ‘Weight & Glory’, Rap music has never been this weighty.

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

Dave Barnes - Stories to Tell [Music Review]

Artist - Dave Barnes
Album - Stories to Tell
Album Length - 11 Tracks: 38 minutes, 32 seconds
Street Date - March 13, 2012
Label - Razor & Tie
iPod Pick - White Flag

I first came across Dave Barnes in a Christian Single (life way resources) magazine interview years back where he boldly proclaimed in the interview how he was awful at writing anything other than love songs. I was sincerely wowed and one thing I loved about the interview was how he said he still held on to his christian faith nevertheless.

Dave's music is folk with a bit of acoustic and pop influenced. It's not music you would choose for a worship set list, not at all. Artist such as Jason Mraz, Mark Schultz, Matt Wertz and probably Mat Kearney ( yes his 'City of black and white' project) would come to your mind once you put in his new record (Stories to tell). Caution! It gets really jazzy and highly instrumentally focused on ' Heaven Help Me'. It sounds like something from a Switchfoot meet N Sync album (can you just imagine that?) on 'White Flag' and honestly this track might just get you dancing at its refrain. It's a lovely tune of second chances. Also on this track, lines like 'forgiveness is the chorus in our rebel song' would win you over. It's also got a Samba flavor plus a Motown throw back in it's BGVs. I can't say enough of this particular song, you just need to listen.

Things slow down on 'Love will be enough for us' and gets a bit rocky on 'Seventeen'. 'Missing You' shines in the normal Dave Barnes style adding a bit of the sweet rock bangs of Match Box Twenty or say Keane but it also utilizes well the beautiful BGVs that is all spread out all over the album. 'Find Your Way Home' is a bold step in the direction of penning music that last a long time such as the classical 'Swing Low'. In fact it makes good use of the negro spiritual vibe.

Lovers of great instrumentation, Jazz and artist like John Mayer, Robin Thicke and John Legend wouldn't mind something a more pop influenced jazz sound on this album. It's diverse, it's bold, it's more like a concert music but it would do good for room music on a reflective day. Heard of Dave Barnes before? Yes or no, you should check out this album.

Heather Clark - Overcome [Music Review]

Artist: Heather Clark

Album: Overcome

Album Length:  11 Tracks: 1Hour 2 Minutes 41 Seconds

Street Date: June 19, 2012

Label: Kingsway Music

iPod Pick: Come in 

Heather Clark is a professional dancer who lives in British Columbia and also a part of the worship singing team Jesus Culture (based in Redding California). For me there are two types of worship music. There are ‘hand-me down’ songs, songs that sound so familiar to you,  like you are reading a bible text or hearing again another song you’ve heard before and they often contain a lot of worship lingua which we are familiar with. Clichéd some might say, and honestly I don’t mean this in any derogatory form cause this is good and they could be a form of liturgy we turn to in moments to set our hearts on course but there’s also worship music that is passionate and deep. On this you would hear lyrics you haven’t really considered with a big God. The singer would sing of God as an everyday friend and lover not because he or she is trying to be unnecessarily familiar but because maybe cause the music was born out of an experience or a deep encounter or even a life lesson when God showed up. For Heather Clark’s Overcome, it falls into the second category.

I want to read Heather’s blog (if she’s got one) and I want to hear her story cause she’s got something deep going on with God, and really for music that’s set to focus your attention on God that’s enough. Musically, Heather would bring to mind the sweet, vibrant but mellow sounds of Cher, Jennifer Knapp, Plumb, Sarah McLachlan, Debbie Harry (of Blondie), even Mellissa How and Kim Walker Smith of Jesus Culture would come to mind when you hear her voice but most of all a particular timbre she reminded me of was the peculiar voice of Dido, that voice undulation with so much control of hers. 

‘Come In’ the opening track sounds so much like an 80’s rock concert song. It’s beautiful in its entirety. though I would love to compare it to Plumb’s Free ( the beautiful lumps of coal  project) or any loud song by the group Blondie (or maybe ‘The Cardigans’) I won’t cause though it sounds like these tunes it’s also unique on its own. This album is a must get, it’s soulful, deep, and reflective and guess what, no clichés at all. If you aren’t a fan of Jesus culture or even worship music, get this one cause you would sure be surprised and it’s a five star all the way.

Various Artists - The Yada Music Project Vol. 2 [Music Review]

Artist: Various Artists

Album: The Yada Music Project Vol. 2

iPod Pick: Eromplaini Feat. Cobhams

I was blown away by Evin Amiri’s (of the 21:03 band) ‘Yeah 3x’ off the Yada Music Project Vol.2. It was my first listen once I uploaded the 2 part album unto my player and can I be honest, I smiled BIG and sort of screamed, It’s was that good and I can assure you bad music wouldn’t make you do that, wail maybe. Let’s leave ‘Eromplaini Feat. Cobhams’ for now which is a total makeover for the band Rooftop MCs (which I wasn’t a big fan of before but now looking forward to their next album).

The core idea behind the Yada Music Project is to create a platform for international and local artist in the Nigeria to bring their music to, getting off the glossy covers of recording labels and promoters. And guess what,  some artists you might never have heard of shine really BIG on this one. 

‘Pop Sound’ by Jungle Fever would get any party rocking and grooving, yes at the same time. ‘In Control’ by Onos is bold, breaking new grounds with traditional sound highly influenced by techno dance hall, you would love it. Anani’s spoken word pieces (‘Just Wondering’ and ‘As Fine as Fine Can Be’) are a no miss. I think one of the most innovative tunes on the album is delivered by Modele on ‘Elevation ft. IBK’ though I would have loved to hear an accentuating sound somewhere in the middle after the second chorus, but it’s still a very cool tune and the rap sort of compensates. XL’s ‘Like a Drug’ is a personal favorite too though some might term it ‘rookie’ in sound but it’s so reflective, beaty and soulful all at the same time,  and I kinda love that. Mamasika drops a power-up, anthemic, march forward sound on ‘What it is’, the tune might bright to mind a bit Keri Hilson  here, some 50 Cent there and a little hint of the power sound rap of happy girl Beyonce to mind but beyond the ‘cheesy’ tune, this lady’s got a bold message.

‘You’ by Japhy Davis is a must listen. And Je’Kob’s ‘Seventy Five Deep’ also makes the list. Now back to ‘Eromplaini Feat. Cobhams’ by Rooftop MCs, this one deserves a place on your iPod, it’s so innovative, bold, honestly nothing like you’ve heard from the duo.

I love it that the whole aim this album was set to achieve isn’t defeated. On listening to the The Yada Music Project Vol. 2 (compiled by the YADA Mag team) you would come to know new artists, you would recover your love for old ones and you will be able to see through the BIG names and get a glimpse of the real thing which is the music. You would love it! It’s worth it! It’s worth it! Go download it and It’s FREE.

Hillsong Chapel - Yahweh [Music Review]

Artist: Hillsong Chapel

Album: Yahweh

Album Lenght: 13 Tracks: 64 Minutes 59 Seconds

Street Date: October 26, 2010

Label: Hillsong Music/ Sparrow Records

iPod Pick: Came To My Rescue

When I first heard about Hillsong Chapel ( a new venture by the Hillsong Church towards making or ‘remaking’ music with a reflective and acoustic feel) some years back I discarded the idea quickly. Why on earth would I want to buy Hillsong songs I already own because of a different recording? Buton listen to their Yahweh Album, it’s a different story as this new recording of old songs brings not just a new feel to this songs but also a very meditative side to them. Even the very rocky ‘Salvation is Here’ isn’t slowed down but is recorded in such a way that its powerful lyrics shine through.

Other highlights are ‘This is Our God’ and ‘Mighty to Save’, they are sung in such a way that it’s really worth having them again. Most songs on the Hillsong Chapel were rendered by Rueben Morgan, Jill McCloughtry and Joel Houston. When asked why they went into this venture, the Hillsong team replied wanting to give music that could be used in times of reflection and prayer and I must say this album even if you have most of the songs on it before is a great resource for your times of meditation and prayer. The songs take on a new communal side dropping its performance side. Honestly it’s worth getting. 

"The new series takes worship back to a simpler time when it wasn’t a movement or a genre but simply a way of praising our God...The new arrangements make for a more organic record, perfect as the background piece to someone’s personal devotions or for smaller congregations who didn’t find the originals a perfect fit." - Gmclife.com