Generation J (Secret Place) - Reviews

Generation J
Secret Place

“The ‘J’ in our name stands for ‘justified’. We want people to understand that it doesn’t matter who you are, where you’ve come from or what you’ve done, we can all be justified through Christ. God’s love is so much bigger than our mistakes, and that’s what we want people to experience every chance we can perform for them —the love and power that God has for each of us.”

— Aaron Sanders of Generation J

It's doubtful that Generation J even needs an introduction.

The foursome of cousins has been together for a decade, and if you've had your ear to the ground over the past few years, you've surely heard their underground hit "Goin' Up Yonder" —that reggae-packed, uptempo cover of the Walter Hawkins gem that dissolves into a guitar-seared blaze by song's end.

Brothers Aaron and Pierre Sanders and sisters Leslie and Adrienne Hudson make up the group, who finally mark their major label debut on Arrow Records/ Word Records with Secret Place.

The album is an urban music afficianado's delight and satisfies on many other levels too, with some wonderful vocal moments making it sparkle.

The group opens up with a medley, composed of the aforementioned "Goin' Up Yonder", deftly spliced to "Get Ready", making for a wild, enjoyable, musically diverse and uplifting ride that anticipates Glory and sets the scene for what's to come on the project.

The diversity continues, moving into the slight Latin feel of "Dance", which fosters foot movement. Its production-heavy underpinnings and vocal variety (solo lines, harmonies, Spanish vocals from Esteban "Chamo" Lopez) distinguish it, as the celebration is guided by producers Lorenzo Straight and Sean Hall, and features Latin group Salvador's Nic Gonazales, who adds his guitar to the mix.

Generation J gathers accolades for the pop-grooved but street-savvy "I Give You My All", which features some prominent guitar work from Desabata Robinson and Chris Rodriguez. "Take It By Force", a musically edgy spiritual warfare song, and the brassy "Glory" (penned by Nee-C Walls-Allen, Jamie Jones [of All-4-One] and Jason Pennock) are other notable urban cuts.

For the more mellow, acoustic selections on the album, veteran producer Roger Ryan (Shirley Caesar, Anointed, Greg O'quin, CeCe Winans) is brought in to add his flair. Ryan fashions the title cut, "Secret Place", a soaring ballad with all the hallmarks of longevity. Generation J showcase their tight vocals throughout the song.

"Worship Medley" continues in the same vein, as the group spends over 8 minutes flowing their harmonies over softly rendered strings and sustained keys and organ on this cover of Kurt Carr's composition.

Then on "Jesus Loves Me Medley", Generation J take it out, acappella style. If there are any vocal doubts about the group, then those get shattered here, as you can't get tighter than this. Modulation, great solo lines, an innovative arrangement (from Deborah Duster) and a killer ending make this one unforgettable.

Perfect for the season, Generation J's Secret Place hits all the right notes, and makes it a keeper.

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Producers: Various album release date: July 13, 2004
Arrow Records / Word Records

— reviewed by Stan North —