Javon Inman – Heart of a Worshiper

Javon Inman

Liberty Music, LLC (2011)

By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.

Born in Canton, Ohio, singer-songwriter Javon Inman credits his tenure with the Young Adult Choir and Praise Team of Refreshing Spring COGIC in the DC/Maryland area (Myrna Summers and the Refreshingettes are alumnae) for helping him perfect his choir directing abilities.

What Inman learned at Refreshing Spring and elsewhere is summarized on his debut album, Heart of a Worshiper.  From the opening track, it is clear that Inman and his ensemble put heart and soul into the performances.

“Redeemer” is the album’s single and as good an example as any of Inman’s music, which blends gentle melodies, soaring lead vocals, and confident harmonies with breathlessly exuberant arrangements and musicianship.  “My Portion,” a soft CCM-like ballad highlighted by Inman’s rising gospel tenor, is the album’s high point.

Heart of a Worshiper stands on the quality of the singers and musicians, Inman’s strong but delicate tenor, lush arrangements, and the willingness of the choir to experiment. This experimentation includes several instances of skillful sectional contrapuntal singing, such as on “My Home” and “Never Thought.”  The acoustic piano work of Clifford R. Flowers, Jr. is particularly deft on “Life,” and the use of real brass and even a flute underscores a commitment to authentic instrumentation in establishing a worship-centered listening experience.

Inman wrote all of the songs on the album.  While his lyrics are conventional P&W, he has a way of tweaking a melody so it goes where the listener doesn’t anticipate. 

Heart of a Worshiper is an example of an independent project that has all the components of a major label release.

Picks: “Joy,” “My Portion.”