Dr. Levi R. King Sr. & Gateway Area Bible Fellowship Apostolic Church Restoration Choir – He Is Good!

Dr. Levi R. King Sr. & Gateway Area Bible Fellowship Apostolic Church Restoration Choir

On January 14, 2007, amidst “the craziest weather,” Gateway Area Bible Fellowship Apostolic Church Restoration Choir recorded He is Good.  It’s the church’s third CD but its first release in a decade.

Located in the Edgemont area of East St. Louis, Illinois, Gateway Area Bible Fellowship Apostolic Church is led by Dr. Levi R. King Sr.  King lends a hard-shouting lead to a number of the songs on He Is Good, although he can also embellish with ease, as on “Don’t Be Afraid,” a simple song about God’s presence that one can imagine Bishop Paul S. Morton recording, as well.

He is Good hums along at live performance tempo, with King punctuating the proceedings with personal reflections, teachings, and explanations of songs.  The Restoration Choir possesses a big, round, full-throated sound, attacking complex harmonies at maximum volume in the signature manner of contemporary gospel choruses.

What is especially interesting about this project is that a local quartet, the Zion Travelers, participates in the live recording as guest artists, singing “I’ve Decided to Make Jesus My Choice.” Seldom, if ever, does one hear a quartet on a choir’s live recording.  For that, Dr. King is to be commended.

Standing out amidst conventional praise and worship songs on He Is Good is “I Will Bless Your Holy Name,” a lovely ballad on which the choir moves from a condensed whisper to thunderous shout. “Psalms 24” is a cathedral-sized anthem delivered as a church wrecker that evolves into a praise break by the conclusion. The crowd pleaser, however, is the dramatic title track, with its classic “gospel waltz” tempo.

He is Good showcases a well-tuned and enthusiastic church choir that knows its way around harmony and dynamics.

Four of Five Stars