D. Lawrence done fooled around and got some Word in him! He ALWAYS has a great product from a production and content standpoint; but Dr. Bill Winston has been depositing some rich Word into Donald.
This is a superb album.
If you are a D. Lawrence fan, this is him on Holy Ghost steroids.
He has my girl, one of the most recognizable voices of our generation, Kim McFarland-Anderson on the album. I knew that voice before I went to the album cover. ‘Cain't’ nobody growl like K. Mac.
What's great about it: Lyrical Content, Vocals, Production
What's not so great: Too long since the last Album, D. Lawrence is too much in the photos (u go Boy)
The Choir is back! There has been such an emphasis on Praise and Worship recordings, choir albums had begun to fade. But LFC has come back with a vengeance. My 4 year old heard Daddy’s jam “Souled Out,” then said would you start that over. I did and she new it off the rip (she got a little tongue twisted on the bridge – no room, no vacancy….)
One of my hang ups with LFC in the past has been poor diction from time to time and the Key they sang in was often very high (ya’ll know we want to sing it in church). Diction was MUCH improved with this album and the Key’s are very comfortable. The CCM track, Moving Forward was a very nice balance of CCM & Soul. Ya’ll know LFC has to put their runs or diminished chords on it. Great Album, not perfect, but great nonetheless.
This IS the greatest album I have ever heard from Darwin. He has Angie & Debbie (Winans) doing some ridiculous background on this album. They had to be having church up in the studio. Darwin is an often misunderstood artist. We want to make him the Luther V. of Gospel (though he can sound just like ‘dat joker). I think Darwin is at his best when he is Worshipping. If Tracks 7 & 8 don’t make you holla’; you made need to check if you are really saved. Tracks 3, 4, & 6 really demonstrates his vocal control and lower range. But did I say Tracks 7 & 8, My Jesus!
You MUST get this album
What's great about it: Production, Vocals, Background, anointing... Tracks 7 & 8 !!
I have to say, that I was sorely disappointed in this album. Very contemporary & funky tracks, but I would not categorize this as a Gospel album, Inspirational at best. For me Gospel is about content. The Lyrics and Spirit (big S) were lacking. They and there producers are very creative indeed, but I think they need to realize what Kirk did, to bring them back to the Spirit of Gospel music.
I would also have to agree with my fellow Atlantan… a Good squall or scream here and there is like Season Salt; it will enhance. But they screamed all over this album. It was too much to palette. (Check them out on all the TV appearances)
I want to say this the right way: Stephen Hurd is not the most gifted vocalist, but He is one of the most gifted Worshippers. That lends itself for him to be a fantastic Worship Leader. He does such a great job of bridging the old and the new. It is a real challenge to engage the more traditional matriarchs & patriarchs while tapping into the energetic and emotional expressions of today's "Mega Generation".
There are many great voices in the Gospel Industry but their music is empty. He may not do all the Vocal Calisthenics others do, but he does "Stephen" better than anyone else can.
This is a very good album one that I think all Worship Leaders need to add to their collection.
What's great about it: Stephen has a heart for Worship and it comes shining through