Various Artists “Gospel Praise Duets: Many Voices, One Message” Album Review

Prime Cuts:  Awesome (Charles Jenkins & Fellowship Chicago), Shackles (Praise You) (Mary Mary), Falling in Love (Kirk Whalum & Jonathan Butler)

In some contexts, a duet means the coming together of two distinct vocalists in one song where each has a significant and equal audible part of the song.  But the definition of "duet" within the context of Rendezvous Music's latest release "Gospel Praise Duets" is nebulously more fluid.  Here the configuration of the pairings are more variegated: in some cases you will find duos trading voices with each other (Mary Mary), a singer backed by his/her choir (Tyre Tribbett & G. A.) and then there are other instances where the other partner only plays a supporting role to the major singer (Tamela and David Mann).  Nevertheless, semantics aside, this is a compelling compilation where some of the best 'duets" to be garnered from Gospel music from the last few years of releases. 

The set kicks off with one of the album's oldest (yet one of the most trend setting) song to date.  Giving the Millennium a dynamic welcome was Mary Mary's 2000 debut single "Shackles (Praise You)."  Here producer Warryn Campbell has incorporated a rhythmic hip hop into what is Gospel music's most genre elastic song to date.  And with its enormous hook, this song will get our feet stomping and it will bring out the singer otherwise dormant in us all.  Another song that is career defining as far as Gospel music goes is Charles Jenkins and Fellowship Chicago's "Awesome."  Stepping up to the plate to front the Fellowship Chicago, "Awesome" is a smooth melodious ballad with a Babyface type drawl making this song live up to its titular.

Easily now a standard across countless weddings is Tamela and David Mann's 2009 "Heaven (The Love Song)."  In a time where love songs have been impoverished by lust and moral filth, "Heaven (The Love Song)" is a testimony that a Godly love between a man and a woman still exists.  Still dwelling on the same topic of love but now channeled vertically towards God is Kirk Whalum and Jonathan Butler's the jazz infused "Falling in Love with Jesus."  Lifted from last year's No. 1 Billboard Gospel album "Finishing Strong" is Jonathan Nelson & Purpose (with John McClure)'s anthemic "Yes, Lord."  

No Gospel album can ever be complete until we are brought into church for some soul-freeing hallelujah shout outs.  This is what J. J. Hairston & Youth Praise do with the Christ exalting "The Victor."  And featuring some crunchy gritty guitars in the introduction before adding a grand dose of the choir is Tyre Tibbett & G. A,'s "Bless the Lord (Son of Man)."  Nevertheless, what most satisfying about "Great Gospel Duets" is that it not only introduces us to a great cross section of Gospel artists, but it also samples the various sub-genres of Gospel music at their utmost best.

Tags : 'Gospel Praise Duets: Many Voices Various Artists Gospel Music