A Journey Through Worship | Posted May-15-2017
Dallas, TX based Christ For the Nations Music is back with their latest collection of congregational worship songs in Melody of Love. With 13 worship offerings, the collective of artists at Christ for the Nations has delivered a project that captures the heart of the Father and the atmosphere of the night it was recorded.
CFN Music's 42nd album delivers a mixture of worshipful hymns and new worship anthems, ready to be incorporated into any Sunday morning service. The artists at CFN Music that are featured on the album include Gabriel Allred, Phil King, Jordan Stewart and Amber Trent. As a special treat, Leeland Mooring (Leeland) also features on four of the songs.
The album opens with the high energy "Every Tribe Every Nation." The song quickly brings us to the heart of the matter of spreading the Gospel of peace to all nations while living a life of complete surrender to God.
The album slows on the third track of the album with "There Is No Striving." This heartfelt worship song written by Jenn Johnson and Matt Stinton of Bethel draws us closer to the heart of God, helping us move in the understanding that we don't have to earn God's affection. It is an earnest prayer, and while listening and focusing on what I was hearing, the Holy Spirit moved deeply within me. There truly is no striving in our relationship with the Father. If you are in a place that you are struggling in understanding the breadth, depth and width of the Father's grace over you, then put this on repeat and believe what you are singing.
This is followed by the title track "Melody of Love." The placement of these two songs on the album leads to a deeper worship. It is as though the initial tracks bring the listener through the outer courts, and the next tracks take us right into the Holy of Holies. It is a wonderful place to just sit and rest, allowing the Lord to sing the "Melody of Love" over your situation. This is aided through the reprise of "Melody of Love." The main song and reprise total almost 13 minutes of honest worship.
The set moves into the piano driven "Incredible Love." The album ebbs and flows through the middle of the set, coming ashore with "I Give It All, I Surrender All." This new take on an old hymn starts what is a triumphant finish for the album. The final tracks of the album leave you wanting to press repeat to start the journey from porch to altar again, to walk through the courts of praise in search of something deeper and more meaningful.
Melody of Love is the latest of many worship albums from the first part of 2017, however, there are standout songs here that will make their way into your favorites playlist. CFN Music makes all the resources available on their website for the worship leader who wants to lead their congregation in a similar journey to the one presented on this album.
The Bottom Line: Melody of Love is a worship album that everyone should put on their "to-buy" or "to-stream" lists. It has been some time since a worship album moved me so much personally.
Changing the Narrative | Posted October-21-2016
With one of the most awaited CHH releases this year, Sho Baraka has blessed his listeners with The Narrative. This album was over three years in the making, starting out as an independent release that was to be released under the name of Louis Portier as a partnership between Sho and featured artist Jamie Portee (who also produced eight tracks on the album).
The album is unique. Sonically, the album brings a strong jazz, funk and soul feel thanks to the production of Portee along with Nate Robinson (the BeatBreaker), JR (aka Courtney Orlando) and Swoope. Throughout The Narrative you will get a sense of James Brown, Marvin Gaye and John Coltrane.
Through artistic wordplay and blunt force, Sho pays homage to black history and elevates the conscience of the listener to want to learn more about the truth and "stay woke." Every track on the album has a message. The message may not be as "gospel" oriented as some may wish, however, it will create important discussions. The album probably won't win any awards in Christendom because it will offend the establishment. The album may provoke anger in some, and I can imagine some of the comment sections regarding some of the issues talked about here already.
Sho is a legend and always thought provoking. The Narrative evoked within me emotions such as sadness, remorse and repentance. This is probably due to the fact that I am a white man with a bucket load of white privilege. On the other hand, I can also feel the pain and hurt caused by systemic racism based on the fact I am in a bi-racial marriage with bi-racial children.
The Bottom Line: Sho Baraka gives us conscious hip hop that makes us think. It is not intended for easy listening. It was created to provide an important narrative during a critical time in our history.
P.S.: If you want a detailed listen of The Narrative you can check it out on First Spins on Forth District (be warned, it's 3.5 hours). It is a detailed breakdown of the album and discussion between Sho Baraka and the show host, Adan Bean.
Mark is a Christ follower, husband to one wife and father to three daughters. Mark's three passions are Jesus, Hip Hop and Coffee. He invites you to grab a single origin coffee and visit him at themarkcryan.com. You can also find him on twitter and Instagram as @themarkcryan.
New Name, Same Misfits | Posted May-24-2016
Fresh from their recent signing with Capitol Records, Social Club, now known as Social Club Misfits, released their most recent EP The Misfit Generation on May 6. Since their last outing, Marty and Fern have both released solo projects, Marty got married and, most recently, they joined label mate NF on the Therapy Session Tour.
This newest project proves that not all artists "sell out" once they sign with a major label. Social Club Misfits deliver the same provocative and fun-loving lyrics alongside the same hard-hitting beats that brought them this far.
The project opens in classic misfit style with "Wavemasters," a track featuring Pastor Chris Durso from Misfit Church in New York. For those new to the Social Club family, Durso has appeared on each of Social Club's previous albums in a very similar fashion. Also featuring on the track is Aha Gazelle. These intro tracks continue to introduce new listeners and reinforce to long-time fans the mission and vision of Social Club Misfits.
"Marriage Goals" interjects typical Social Club humour while dealing with something as serious as marriage. Whether it's newlywed Marty or veteran Fern, we get the honest truth from these guys in every bar.
Newcomers Tree Giants join the Social Club family on the radio friendly single "Courage." This track has garnered plenty of attention and was the lead single from the EP. The melodic vibe matched with a hard hitting kick drum fits perfectly into any summer playlist.
The project closes with the title track "The Misfit Generation." With this track it becomes evident that Social Club Misfits fit perfectly with NF on Capitol's CHH roster. Marty and Fern have never shied away from serious topics on their albums, and this song tells us exactly who the album is for. It is for the misfits, those who are unaccepted, not for a particular race or social class, but for every person who has felt rejected in their lives. This is real music for a generation who are tired of being pandered to, and with a major label finally promoting such a message, perhaps the misfits won't feel like rejects much longer.
The Bottom Line: Social Club Misfits may have changed their name, but with a larger platform than ever, their unchanging message of hope and accepting yourself as God created you can truly reach a new generation of misfits.
Soul Music | Posted March-10-2016
It is rare that an album comes along that I have been anticipating for 10 months (since the exclusive release of The Demos on TheOverflow.com in May 2015). The Glory Album from Christon Gray is exactly that. As he teased fans first with The Demos, then with the build-up to the release of which label he was signing with after leaving Collision, then with the slow build to this album, it has been a crazy ride for fans. I am happy to say that the wait, the excitement and buying the t-shirt Christon wears in the "Connor McDees" video has all been worth it.
Christon is a special talent in Christian Hip Hop. As much talent as he has in singing hooks, he has equally in spitting bars. His silky smooth voice and his incredible range combined with his lyricism and versatility on the mic makes for something special. The album opens with "The Glory, Pt. 1," a simple intro with a sweet little piano melody line overlaid with Christon's smooth neo-soul vocals and then a tidy little rap, gently easing us into what is to come.
The Christon Gray that we are not so used to shows up on the first full track of the album. "Stop Me" hits hard. The driving piano and the kick drum drive the beat forward while Christon exercises his lyrical abilities. On "Fort Knox," the versatility is shown once again. But beyond the pure talent, the artist shows his vulnerability. On several tracks on the album Christon offers deep truths regarding relationships. Whether it's a relationship with God or with his bride, Christon bares his soul on this album. "Afraid With You" and "Nowhere" are perfect examples of this: beautiful ballads where there is nothing held back, and all that can be pictured is a man emptied of himself and laying it out for the One he loves.
We move from the soulful and beautiful to the pure boom bap on "Connor McDees." The lyricism on this track is so good, you find new metaphors and double entendres on each listen. On this track Christon is joined by his brother Taelor and by Skyzoo.
Christon also doesn't shy away from the political realm with "Black Male (Blackmail)." It is a story of a mixed race couple and the struggles that go along with it. This was an incredibly powerful song for me personally. I honestly don't know if the Church is ready for this kind of truth from within its walls, but it is something that needs to be heard.
The album wraps up with the beautiful worship song "Follow You." The declaration to follow God after the heart wrenching "Black Male" is the redemption at the end of the road.
The Bottom Line: Christon Gray has crafted together an incredible piece of art that will touch each area of the soul. It rips it apart and heals it. It shows versatility and vulnerability. With The Glory Album, Christon Gray takes himself from the underground of Christian music to the front lines.
Vulnerable Truth | Posted March-02-2016
The ministry of Bethel Music has become a mainstay on the worship scene in the past few years. Beginning with their various live and studio projects as a collective of artists, then continuing with solo projects from individual worship leaders, several of their songs have become commonplace in churches today. With the recent additions of Leeland and Cory Asbury to the collective, the gang at Bethel are truly setting themselves apart as the premier source of worship music.
Bethel's latest offering, Have It All, once again shows the breadth and depth of talent in this team of artists as well as the heart of worship that is alive and well. The album opens with William Matthews' distinct vocals on "Shine On Us." The song is beautiful and reflects on the beauty of God. Rather than starting with a high energy song, they opted to go with a reflective piece that truly draws you into the presence of an almighty God.
The title track, "Have It All," is new song of surrender. The sound of the congregation singing along with Brian Johnson draws you into the evening it was recorded. The subdued guitar and muted kick drum in the opening leave the listener with an ethereal sense of being. This is a song to be sung from your knees with hands raised in surrender.
A highlight of the album comes with Leeland singing "Lion and the Lamb." When I first listened to the song, I was brought back to May 2015 when Leeland led worship at YC Alberta. This is an incredibly powerful song. Leeland's voice and style match perfectly with the rest of the Bethel artists.
I would be remiss in not mentioning the ladies of Bethel on this album. Steffany Gretzinger, Jenn Johnson and Amanda Cook all deliver emotionally charged performances on "Pieces," "Heaven Come" and "Mercy," respectively. "Pieces" speaks to how God gives us all of Himself, not just pieces. It talks about the perfection of God's love, drawing on 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. Jenn Johnson delivers "Heaven Come" with power and authority, a call for Heaven to come and fill the Earth now and forever. On "Mercy," the rhythmic piano and driving bass line are a perfect backdrop for Amanda Cook to bring her distinctive style. This song, of course, is from Amanda's own solo project Brave New World, and focuses on the truths of Micah 7:18 and James 2:13.
The Bottom Line: This album is full of truth and reflection. It is not a high energy praise-fest, but rather an album designed around the concepts of vulnerability, honesty and resilience. Songs from this album will become personal reflections for many in the Church as they touch on the greatness and purity of God and our own desires to draw closer to the heart of God and let Him Have It All.
A New Sound For A New Season | Posted February-18-2016
Hip Hop, Christian or otherwise, is ultimately about a struggle. It was birthed from a culture that required a voice. K. Sparks' newest project Seasons Theme gives the listener a taste of what true hip hop is about. It is not an album that fits nicely with a lot of the records being released today; his distinct New York vibe is worlds apart from the deep bass and trap of southern hip hop. This is hip hop from the birthplace of hip hop, the way it was meant to be.
I had not heard of K. Sparks until this album, which usually ends one of two ways: an album that underwhelms, or an album that surprises. With Seasons Change we have the latter. There is a hearkening back to the golden age of hip hop. "Jazz Theory" is a perfect gateway into what this album is about-- hip hop infused with jazz and lyricism that makes you listen and think. This album is not a fluff piece. There are heavy themes throughout, including white privilege theory on "Make It Look Easy (Because)," negative self-worth and the hurt that it leads to on "Fake Is The New Real" and relationships on "Him vs Her (Seasons)."
This album is the closest thing to a concept piece I've ever heard. As it moves through spring, summer, fall and winter, your ears are treated to a variety of sights and sounds, the same variety and changing landscapes that one would experience in a full year. There is an impressive amount of cleverly used samples, old school turntablism and a variety of jazz styles on display. The beats groove and the lyrics flow with ease. This album won't see the same commercial success as the standard turn up/party fare that people clamor for, but it will find a devoted following among hip hop heads.
The Bottom Line: K. Sparks delivers an experience rarely heard in Christian Hip Hop. The soundscapes painted are full of color and perspective, with just the right amount of shadows.
A Breath of Fresh Air | Posted February-05-2016
Each time I sit down to review a live worship album, a great predicament arises. Am I evaluating the music? The performance? The recording quality? My perception of the reality of the move of God in the room on the night it was recorded? I suppose each of these things go into the process. However, is it right to question the methods if the music was written out of the move God specific to the church that did the recording? With Elevation Worship's latest offering Here as in Heaven, there is a definite hunger and thirst for the Spirit of God to come and move afresh on a dry and barren land.
From the beginning of the album there is something different. Rather than starting with a high energy, danceable worship track, we are given the very prayerful and worshipful title track, "Here as in Heaven." As the crowd swell quiets at the end of the track, the kick drum drops the beat for "Grace Like a Wave." This is a wonderful way to start an album. It takes the formulaic approach to worship that most of us have come to know completely out of play, and your senses are heightened as to what the band will offer with the rest of the album.
The remainder of the album gives us reflective and prayerful moments blended with anthems that build throughout the song. Mixed into the worship set are two more high energy praise songs, "Shine a Light" and "Praise Goes On." The former is a call to action, and the latter is a powerful praise song that truly focuses on the goodness and nature of God.
The Bottom Line: Live worship is the best worship, and with Here as in Heaven, Elevation Worship gives the church new songs to enter into that secret place.
A Veteran Presence | Posted January-20-2016
Jesus Culture's newest project, Let It Echo, is the group's first release containing all new music since 2014's Unstoppable Love. In the in-between there was last year's This Is Jesus Culture, which gave us an anthology of some of their greatest moments in leading this generation in worship, and a move from their home church Bethel to their new church plant home as Jesus Culture Sacramento. This team of vibrant worship leaders has grown up alongside many of us from youth to young adults (and some of us even older). Over their 11 year history of releasing music and 26 year history of annual conferences, Jesus Culture has been the soundtrack of a generation.
In their latest offering, Jesus Culture presents us with new music led by original worship leaders Kim Walker-Smith and Chris Quilala, along with newer members Bryan and Katie Torwalt, Chris McClarney and Derek Johnson. The album opens with Kim Walker-Smith on "Never Stop Singing." From this moment, the listener knows that Jesus Culture has matured. It is no longer music just for youth conferences or young adult led worship nights. This is now "mainstream" worship written for the entire church. "Fierce," which features Chris Quilala, follows. The song speaks to God's fierce love for us. It can lead to a deeply intimate time of worship and a renewal of a proper view of how big and powerful God is.
After Bryan Torwalt delivers the worshipful "God With Us," Chris Quilala gives his testimony around the loss of his son before singing "Miracles." It is at this point that I realized that Jesus Culture is definitely not just for the younger crowd anymore, but for a church that has members that are hurting and needing reaffirmation of God's miracle-working power in our lives.
Katie Torwalt gives the highlight moment on the album with "Set Me Ablaze." On the first listen of the album, it was this track that stuck out and was repeated several times. It's a true anthem with the prayer "Set me ablaze, set me ablaze / with a single obsession / set me ablaze, set me ablaze / with an endless passion." I honestly cannot think of a greater prayer on a cold winter night, whether literally or figuratively.
With Let It Echo, Jesus Culture has fully completed its transition from its student ministry roots to providing the next generation of songs for the Church as a whole. Worship is more than just singing, and on Let It Echo, Jesus Culture shows us once again that it is the heart of the One we worship that matters more than anything else. They do this with thoughtful, passionate (and singable!) anthems of praise and faith that go beyond hype and emotion.
The Bottom Line: The project showcases the hearts and gifts of Jesus Culture while leading us to the heart and glory of Jesus.
This Movement Doesn't Stop | Posted November-23-2015
The crew from Good Fruit Co. is back with a new compilation of songs from artists both on their label, like Sam Ock and J. Han, and those from outside the immediate family: Shope, Dru Bex, Verseatile, Manifest (not to be confused with Manafest), Hee Sun Lee and NAK. Sam Ock and J. Han are familiar names from the group known as AMP, and they make up the heart of The Movement, Vol I. With a roster consisting of freshmen, sophomores and veterans of the business, the album brings a diverse variety of sounds and styles.
Having reviewed the latest from AMP and J. Han in the last twelve months, I was fairly familiar with what to expect. The addition of Shope, Dru Bex and Hee Sun Lee to the album had me in anticipation that the crew's move from the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia) to Atlanta would improve their maturity and production values as compared to past projects.
I was not disappointed. There is a definite growth in both J. Han's and Sam Ock's style and flow rhythm. On "Slow Down," J. Han brings his own unique style, but he sounds smoother on his delivery. Sam Ock shows up on the smooth sounding "Stay." His flow shows a new level of maturity, and he displays his vocalist abilities on the hook. '
On "Bullet and Gun" Sam Ock shows off some more of his versatility, especially on the hook and the bridge. I was impressed with his singing abilities, and at times he had me thinking of old school Andy Mineo back in the C-Lite days when he featured on Lecrae's "Background."
The addition of Shope and Dru Bex added a level of grit to the album. The bassline on "Hi Times" was a definite highlight, and the Star Wars references from Dru Bex get bonus points. Anytime a rapper can work Mace Windu into his verse is always reason to smile. Speaking of infectious grooves, the drum sample on "Our Sound" gets the head bobbing and the shoulders swaying. Hee Sun Lee delivers a strong message against racism on the track, and it is racism from a different point of view. Asians in hip hop get very little respect, and on this track Hee Sun Lee lets us know about it.
Closing Thoughts:
Compilation albums are always difficult to review because you have several artists providing singles to an album, which at times can conflict with each other in sound and style. On The Movement, Vol I, the guys at Good Fruit Co. have compiled 12 tracks that flow together nicely. Rather than just being a "turn up" album that we put on at Youth Group on Friday nights, this album delivers truth in several arenas. I'm looking forward to what the crew from Good Fruit has in store for us as they continue to grow in this latest chapter of their life. The Movement has started, and it will not easily be shut down.
Song to Download Now:
"Our Sound feat. Sam Ock" (Get it on iTunes here.)
Praise as Big as Texas | Posted November-16-2015
Ricardo Sanchez, the worship Leader at the famous Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, Texas, has returned with his latest offering for the church, Grand Symphony. A journeyman worship leader and songwriter, Ricardo brings a new album with a sound as big as the great state of Texas.
The opening songs are lively and large. "Por Christo, For Christ" is a great opening song that truly gets you in the mood to praise an awesome God. The song mixes EDM and hip hop influences, with a driving bass line that is sure to get you moving. The EDM feel continues through on "Life" and "All Power," then "Halle-Halle" brings in a slight tejano vibe, which honestly had me wanting to merengue in Starbucks.
Things slow down a little from here with worshipful songs such as "Hope Is Here," "Take Over," and the title track "Grand Symphony." This is a powerful song mixing metaphors of music and a Spirit-filled life. It is a song that requires you to stop, listen and then boldly sing along, allowing yourself to become "an instrument in the hands of the King."
Closing Thoughts:
Ricardo Sanchez definitely has a sound that defines the Southwest. At times I was sure I was listening to Israel Houghton, and there were even hints of old school Anointed. The regional differences in praise and worship music throughout the United States always amazes me. It reminds me that in this world and across the nation, God has a designed an orchestra of cultures and influences that allow the Grand Symphony of praises to be lifted up to Him in perfect harmony.
MarkRyan_NRT's Music and Book Reviews 
