Kersten StevensInspire Me (release date: July 30, 2013)
By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog
If, as Harold Rayford says, gospel and jazz are first cousins, Kersten Stevens’ new album, Inspire Me, is a family reunion.
Queen of the sacred violin, Stevens blends jazz and gospel with grace and skill, surrounding herself on Inspire Me with equally gifted musicians, most notably classically-trained keyboardist Damien Sneed.
Fitting hand-to-glove with Stevens’ flowing improvisation are selections such as Richard Smallwood’s “Center of My Joy” and “Total Praise;” Bill Gaither’s “Because He Lives” (the percussion gives it an African flavor); and Carlis L. Moody Jr.’s “Lord, I’m Available To You.” An original composition, the soft worship ballad “Right Where You Are,” benefits from a lovely solo by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir’s Alicia Olatuja. The combo whips much-needed life into that dowdy old hymn, “Holy Holy Holy,” while Miki Hayama’s piano solo adds an exquisite touch. “’Tis So Sweet” suggests Stevens could do an entire album of reconstituted hymns.
Lest one get the impression that Inspire Meis solemn and slow groove, “I Just Wanna,” with confident vocals by Deah Harriott, is a charging R&P (rhythm and praise) number. “The Shout” is a praise break, with Stevens’ signature violin riffs prodding the saints along. “Nobody But You,” sung by Charles Mack, has a shoulder-moving beat. Dotting the project are short snippets of kitchen table conversations between the artists about the importance of inspiration in creating new music.
Inspire Me combines strings and brass with drums, bass, and keys to produce a sound fresh and exciting as it is meditative.
By using the social philanthropy site Kickstarter to help breathe life into her project, Kersten Stevens is among a new breed of musicians who are retaining artistic control of their product by funding the production on their own. The CD launch party takes place July 30 at Harlem’s historic Apollo Theater, where Stevens is the on-camera personality and social media correspondent.
Four of Five Stars
Picks: “Total Praise,” “Right Where You Are.”
Written by : Bob Marovich
Bob Marovich is a gospel music historian, author, and radio host. Founder of Journal of Gospel Music blog (formally The Black Gospel Blog) and producer of the Gospel Memories Radio Show.
Visit Today : 1691
This Month : 32887