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 Love, Joy, Pain Now, Mista & Mrs. Taylor join the list, but kicking things up with an extra dose of octane. Yes, on Love, Joy & Pain, from 4th Man Records, Mista & Mrs. Taylor, deliver one nice groove album, deftly assembling a set of material that is fresh and filled with a hefty dose of urban punch, all the while expressing their unique ministry as a married couple (and parents).  The sound of this duo is one-of-a-kind, with Mista Taylor (Derek Taylor) dropping his Chicago-reared, rap flow (that frequently veers toward vocals), and Mrs. Taylor (Theresa Taylor) mixing in her brightly toned Californian vocal lines.Excellent cuts abound, with the opener, "Sunny Dayz" being one of them. Bright piano loops and fuzzy rhythms alongside bop vocals and rap ad libs allow the song to sonically echo the lyrics, "it's a good day, a perfect day, and I'm full of praise". "Keep Ya Head Up" continues the upbeat, encouraging theme, with infectious melodies and nice hooks. On "I Ain't Going Back", soul crooner Ellis Taylor drops in for some choice vocals, and Tim Stewart of 4th Avenue Jones adds his guitar to the mix. Strings give the cut an old-school feel. The Taylors celebrate their marriage and their love for each other on "Beautiful", another sunny jam, as they thank God for each other, trading lines and melodic motifs over a loopy track by KP and scratches by DJ Scribe. Praise tracks are another feature of the project, with Mista & Mrs. Taylor dropping "Love Thang" and "Bow Down", two musically contrasting cuts, but both clear in their worship focus. Labelmate Fros'T (read album review) steps in for a guest slot on "Why Do I Do", adding his quick rap patter over a hectic and unusual plucked string instrumental track. Mrs. Taylor intersperses her sung lines into Fros'T's and Mista Taylor's expression of helplessness without Christ. "Poppin' Lids", set to an infectious jeep track, offers encouragement to be courageous in witness, specifically with respect to Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons. No sense to hide, cause after all, we have Christ inside. Reach for that seatbelt and fasten tightly, because with Love, Joy & Pain, you're about to get bumped, and it's all SO good.
Email This To A Friend 4th Man Records — reviewed by Stan North —
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