What do you get when you mix the flare and diversity of Canada with the musicianship and sound of the East Coast? Cheryl James and her chorale the Voices of Worship, with Melvin Crispell in the musical director and production seats, deliver a strong debut with tight, intricate vocal work complete with Brooklyn grooves and quality material. Recorded live at Toronto’s power house ministry, Rhema Christian Centre, this project also features; Tunesha Crispell, Pastor Richard Brown, and Rhema Ministry’s own Pastor Orim Meikle and Peter Moncrieffe.
This project is packed with a lot of strong choral material. Starting off the projefct is the commanding and declarative intro "Made It" penned by Rhowan James. This jam lets the listener know just what they are in for this time around. The next selections are a hymn meldley of sorts arranged by Germaine Dwyer giving a new and funky twist to "It Is Well" and "Because He Lives." The first, laden with bass grooves and laid back R&B keys and soaring vocals with the latter bringing it home with its whimsical musical arrangment and jammin’ vamp.
Crispell writes the bulk of the project including the suttle "Hallowed In This Place" featuring Tunesha Crispell, the anthem "Thy Name Oh Lord Is High," and the laid back funky grooves "He’s Just That Good," and "Let Him In" featuring Peter Moncrieffe. Crispell’s material on this project, especially "Hallowed" and "Just That Good," are reminscent of and can be easily compared to his previous work with James Hall. Crispell’s touch on this project really heightened the flavor of this project.
Speaking of heightened flavor, the vocal arangements for The Voices of Worship are masterfully done and masterfully executed. The vocal harmonies and intricacies are not gaudy or overly done but just enough to accent and put more flare into the song to complement the message (i.e. "Thy Name Oh Lord is High.") It is good to hear a project that the vocals sound natural, and the musicians and singers compliment each other.
Another noteworthy selection on this project would be "More of You" which is penned by James herself and a roaring narration by Pastor Orim Meikle and worship leading by Pastor Brown. This track brings new life and a new twist to the classic church hymn "I Need Thee."
One thing that really hurts this project is the audience track. Cut, pasted, and sometimes looped throughout the project can prove to be a slight annoyance or even a distraction to the listener in trying to enjoy the project.
Despite the minor infraction involving the ’audience’ this is a very strong and well put together debut project. With its great musicianship and vocal arrangements, one would expect to hear more from Cheryl James and Voices of Worship in the future.
TRACKLIST
1. Made It
2. It Is Well
3. He Lives
4. Hallowed In This Place
5. Jesus You Are
6. He’s Just That Good
7. Thy Name Oh Lord Is High
8. More of You
9. More of You (Reprise)
10. In The Midst
11. Let Him In
12. Let Him In (Reprise)
Reviewer’s Picks: "It Is Well," "Hallowed in This Place," "Jesus You Are," and "Thy Name oh Lord is High."