Various Artists (The New Soul) - Reviews

Various Artists
The New Soul

New music always gets the attention, and when it's new grooves from new souls… the combination is irresistible.

Reflecting the joy inherent in new Life in Jesus Christ, The New Soul slams onto the scene with a diversity of vocal talent, some familiar, some not at all. But the totality of this jam set from the fledgling RedeemedSoul.com label is hard to beat, with production from Noel Hall, Roger Ryan and others.

"Our music niche may be urban-soul and R&B, but lyrically our focus is strictly on proclaiming Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior," says label founder and president, David V. Taylor.

Some will remember Denise Tichenor, the soulful songstress who delivered some great tunes on the Tyscot label in the 1980s. She's back with several choice moments on this release. "I Bow Down" is a big number melodic ballad featuring producer Roger Ryan on piano and Michael Ripoll's guitar. On "Echoes From Heaven", the tone is slightly more subdued but equally passionate.

Newcomer Lonna Hardin grabs hold of "Can't Nobody" and delivers a vocal tour-de-force with soaring lines and expert phrasing. Berris Bolton (known for his work with Chicago urban foursome Fortitude) produces the joy-laden urban jam.

"Jehovah We Bless Your Name", written by Taylor, brings together the talents of D'Andre' Bracy and producer Noel Hall and Marcus Cole assisting on the vocal arrangements. The driving, hip-hop verging track sets up bracing vocal deliveries from Bracy.

The New Soul

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Chicago's Bridgette Campbell returns on this project with "He Reigns", an uptempo jam with a supporting cast that includes RFC alumunis Tommy Walker, Hall and Darryl Dixon.

Frank Cole makes his debut on "Hosanna", his tenor praises setting off the song with Hall's Hammond B3 underneath, and Dixon's guitar mingling with out-front backing supporting chorus to make this a worthy praise chorus. Then on Cole's "More Than Conquerors", he eases the comforting lyrics into a laid-back groove with his tender phrasing and sensitive rendering of the melodic line.

Other cuts to highlight include Hardin's pop remake of Jody McBrayer's "I Never Knew" and June Long's infectious "Your Love It's So Good To Me".

With groove and after groove and jam after jam, The New Soul is the one to snag to catapult your spring into summer. This is an auspicious debut from RedeemedSoul.com and sets the label up as one to watch.

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Producers: Various album release date: April 14, 2006
RedeemedSoul.com

— reviewed by Stan North —