What You Need To Know
The Collective is a gospel group of talented songwriters, background vocalists, vocal arrangers, and designers. This list of artists, mostly hailing from Houston, Texas are ones that I beg people to take notice of. Although gospel greats like the Nakitta Foxx and Michael Dixon, two of the more well-known names, do not sleep on the likes of artists Deejay Lowry, KaiPeA, Tatiana Barnett, Anthony Hall, and Dominique Side. Sustainer is an EP that serves as an introduction compilation to showcase the singers.

What it Sounds Like
Sweet songs of worship of praises backed by lush vocal and musical arrangements would serve as a great one-sentence description. “Heart Cries” finds Anthony Hall and Dominique Side trading smooth lead vocals adlibs on a ballad of surrender to God.

Music was accented by the strings melded throughout the collection: “I believe what I can’t see/I will have what You promise me. When I fall, You rescue me/Safe in Your hands is where I’ll be.” Hearing KaiPeA and Tatiana Barnett so wonderfully sing these words with the help of harmonious background vocals will bring a moment to truly pause. Right when the ladies start driving the song, it falls back into the soft stylings that it began with. The Collective gives their own rendition of already popular songs such as the “How He Loves/He Keeps On Lovin’ Us” medley and “Do It Again.”

Best Song
Although I have said this before, gospel veteran Michael Dixon is a singer that masters being extremely effective minus many vocal acrobats nor squalling. He sings in a way that points you to Christ throughout, yet still recognizing his quality phrasing and tone. He and Deejay Lowry complement each other well as they lead us through the fun praise song, “Favor of the Lord.”

Nakitta Foxx takes us on a musical journey on “History” that goes from gospel/bluegrass to a stripped-down ballad ending with New Orleans jazz. She is testifying that her past victories with Christ are proof that He will do it again. The music, the subject matter, the title, "History, I see what you did there."

For Fans Of
Michael Dixon, Judah Band, Isabel Davis

Final Word
Solid offering by the Collective and they are just getting started. I cannot wait until each artist drops his or her own project. This EP is a small fraction of what they can do. This is the appetizer before the main course hits our streaming outlets.

Listen on Apple Music or Spotify.