Pastor Rudolph McKissick Jr. brings the increasingly known “Bethel Experience” to disk again on the sophomore record What A Time! for his Word and Worship Mass Choir, marking the debut project for new label Emtro Gospel (hear audio).

With Troy Sneed helming the production, The Jacksonville, Florida based Bethel Baptist Institutional Church 200-voice choir delivers twelve diverse cuts that tackle a range of styles, all within the confines of the mass choir musical setting.

Jumping off the disc is the powerful opening cut, “I Want To Say Thank You”, a radio-ready church choir song that leads you to a quick understanding of how McKissick defines the album's sound —“down home church with an urban feeling.”

Written by Joseph Clark and with solo work from both McKissick and Cheryl Johnson-Davis, the song uses the power of mass choir call and response to the soloists’ leads, all running over a strong bass line, brass and keyboard groove.

Kevin Bond writes the choir piece and title track “What A Time!”, with lyrics that look heavenward to the fellowship of the saints.

Fellow legend Rev. Milton Biggham puts pen to “You’ll Come Out All Right”, a fiery melody of encouragement that relies on the glorious musical elements that characterize choir hits. McKissick powers the cut with his forceful, gritty vocal style.

What A Time!

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Also notable on What A Time! is “Glory and Honor” from the pen and voice of Sneed, which rings praises in Jamaican style. A couple of always-welcome hymns (“How Great Thou Art” and “I Need Thee”) grace the project as well.

The meandering ballad “At Your Feet” is nicely delivered by Tanika Harris, and references the story of the woman who poured her alabaster box of perfume on Jesus’ feet. “Sweet Jesus”, lead by Alex Hill, is another powerful worship ballad, with lyrics emphasized by choir and punctuated by Rick Watford’s guitar.

Pastor Rudolph McKissick Jr. & The Word and Worship Mass Choir have a winner on their hands with What A Time! Choirs will be singing these songs for some time to come. And no doubt, so will you.


Four song snips from the What A Time! album are available as RealAudio downloads. If you don't have RealAudio, be sure to obtain your free RealAudio player software first, by clicking on the blue RealAudio icon on the right.

To download the song snips, simply click on the highlighted text below, let stream on RealAudio, and enjoy.

• "What At Time!"
  
  
• "Glory & Honor"
  
  
• "You'll Come Out Alright"
  
  
• "I Want To Thank You"