Jamie Jones (Illuminate) - Reviews

Jamie Jones
Illuminate

On the R&B Gospel tip, it's hard to beat Jamie Jones.

As the lead singer of the Cali-based group All-4-One, Jones is a known quantity, having applied his soulful pipes to the chart-topping group's famed eponymously-titled project from 1994, which featured the monster smash, "I Swear".

On Illuminate, Jones steps out into Gospel, solo-style, offering one of the year's gem projects.

Why a gem? Because not only is the project filled with sure-fire testimony and no-holds-barred lyrics that lift up Jesus Christ, it also contains some of the finest jams and grooves you could hope for.

Jones' wide ranging vocals —everything from buttery falsetto to gravelly, low-range tenor —diversify the project, which is composed of fifteen complete songs, including a vertically-directed love song ("Take My Hand") that features All-4-One. It doesn't take long to get immersed in the organic, neo-soul feel of the set.

Songs such as "Worship U" and "Why Does It Take" move with quick steps and possess sure-footed melodies. Jones knows exactly where to slather his falsetto and where to move down into lower territory.

Jamie Jones

"U've Got A Friend" is a cover of the Carole King classic, and brings in William Cartwright (of SupaNova) for the ride. Jones easily moves with Cartwright over a bed of shimmering organ with Joshua Choir supplying backing vocals.

On "Summer Dayz", Jones prays that "I'm just tryin' 2 keep my mind focused on what I got 2 do". Set over a dry rhythm track and subtle keyboard effects, the song makes use of some nice layered harmonies. "Higher Love" brings back the old school jam, complete with muted brass and strings.

Jamie Jones is a welcome addition to the Gospel scene, and Illuminate deserves heavy rotation, be that on the radio, in your car, home or anywhere else. Can't recommend this one strongly enough!

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Producers: The Heavyweights album release date: June, 2004
Genesis Entertainment

— reviewed by Stan North —