Darwin Hobbs (Worshipper) - Reviews

Darwin Hobbs
Worshipper

Darwin Hobbs continues to come beautifully into his own. This, his fourth effort on EMI Gospel, feels more like Hobbs to me than any of the albums that have gone before. Of course I’m not him, so I hope it’ll suffice to say Worshipper is his strongest release yet.

This album, I believe, will continue to establish him not only has one of the best voices in Gospel, but as one of Gospel's premiere worship leaders. Worshipper gives us more of what we long for from Hobbs —worship music. He draws heavily from the musical fortitude of Aaron Lindsey and Israel Houghton, who co-produce, as from many staples on the contemporary Christian music charts. Collectively, they put a twist on it to present an array of tunes that are a sheer delight and represent Christian music well —in any of its subgenres.

"Lord, We Rejoice" trumpets His praises. A rapidly-moving song, penned by Houghton, Lindsey and Hobbs, it defies you not to bob your head, and then flows right into "Glorify Him" to continue the praise party. An Aaron Lindsey supplied groove pushes the cleanest background vocals you’ll hear anywhere, courtesy of Leanne Palmore, Daniel Johnson, Jovaun Woods, Da'dre Greathouse and Steve Crawford.

Hobbs is right at home with several covers of praise choruses. His vocal artistry warms them and is a delectable treat for fans of Christian music —of any kind. Chris Tomlin's "Forever" proclaims God’s faithfulness toward us. A hot R&P vamp completes the flipped script to a great merger of musical styles.

Mini-medley "Come Let Us Sing / He Is Exalted" begins in grandiose style, and ends in the Twila Paris tune. Matt Redman's already classic "Better Is One Day" is given a cool groove that emits the comfortable feel we can have when we rest in God’s goodness. Jeremy Haynes on drums and the percussive mastery of Javier Solis set the tempo for an easy sway.

Worshipper

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It’s Gospel splendor on "Worshipper's Medley", a mix that showcases Thomas Whitfield's "Precious Jesus" and Andrae Crouch's "Bless His Holy Name", pushing them to a resounding climax. The medley then transitions to a little song penned by Hobbs, titled "The Lord Is Here" that is huge in its simplicity. Its triumphant proclamation spins to an exclamation point that perhaps summarizes the entire project. Lindsey’s hand weighs heavily here on the piano, as he worships as masterfully as the vocalists. He leads the style transitions of the 10-minute-plus track and ends in a jazz oriented cool-down.

Darwin Hobb's Worshipper is a comfortable easy chair not because of slow music or anything, but because it just feels right. Maybe that's because it is.

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Producer: Aaron Lindsey, Israel Houghton, Tommy Sims album release date: September 27, 2005
EMI Gospel

— reviewed by Melanie Clark —

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