Marvin Sapp (Be Exalted) - Reviews

Marvin Sapp
Be Exalted

In the ever-expanding universe of Gospel music, you can always count on Marvin Sapp to bring home the churched vocals, doused in today's contemporary musical fuel. The mix is potent, and never more so than on Be Exalted, his first studio outing in several years.

The Verity Records album brings in a cornucopia of production talent, from veterans including Percy Bady, Donald Lawrence to Tommy Walker, Israel Hougthon, Aaron Lindsey, James Poyser and several others.

Sapp serves as Senior Pastor of the Lighthouse Full Life Center Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and brings his pulpit into the studio at times —and when he sermonizes, whether it be to intro a cut, or mid-song, it always hits hard.

Sapp exhorts us to "worship Him because of who He is", as he embarks into "Holy", an uptempo worship groove written by Steve "Supe" White and produced by The Trendsetters.

"Be It Unto Me", penned by the industry's best-kept-secret Aaron Lindsey and produced by Lindsey and Israel Houghton, is a high energy song featuring the likes of Eric Brice on guitar and Javier Solis on percussion. The depth of the horns, arranged by Philip Lassiter add dimension to the layer upon layer of musical elements.

Tunesmith Jonathan Dunn weaves "Be Exalted", a midtempo worship song accented by the stalwart backing vocals of Jerard Woods, Jovaun Woods and Leanne Palmore, declares His worthiness to be lifted up. Dunn also pens "Trust In Him", with Sapp adding his signature to it.

Be Exalted

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Rudolph Stansfield's classic "Perfect Peace" is produced by Donald Lawrence. Bigger backing vocals, —a choral sound featuring the voices of Kim McFarland, Tina Watson, Queenie Lennox, Gloria Brand, Dewayne Woods and too many notables to name —takes you back. Classic keys by Cedric Thompson are added to the mix.

Another power cut is "Strongtower", which kicks into high gear with the Houghton/ Lindsey team. Distinctive production quality highlights the piece, with Sapp detailing God's protective power amidst funky beds of horns and bass.

Other songs to note are the Tommy Walker produced "Do You Know Him (Tommygunn 1965 Mix)", the guitar-romp of "Smile" and "Changed", penned by White and Ted Wynn.

Be Exalted is Marvin Sapp at his very best, and straight up, simply one of the year's nicest Gospel albums.

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Producers: Various album release date: July 26, 2005
Verity Records

— reviewed by Melanie Clark and Stan North —