Adrian B. King & C.4.H.P. – You’re Awesome (JDI)

You’re Awesome
Adrian B. King & C.4.H.P. (Created for His Purpose)
JDI Records 2008
www.jdirecords.com

What I’ve learned from reviewing dozens upon dozens of Praise & Worship projects over the past few years is that in most cases, the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

That is, the Praise & Worship album, like the church service upon which it is based, is best enjoyed in one sitting instead of as a collection of interchangeable gospel tracks. This is obviously true when the project is a live performance, but even a P&W studio recording follows this simple production rule. Of course, a couple of individual tracks are plucked out and released as singles, and some spend time on the charts, but they almost invariably sound better in lockstep with the continuous experience that the producers intended when constructing the album.

Praise & Worship leader Adrian B. King’s new release, You’re Awesome, is a fine example of the musical synergy of P&W projects. From Chicago’s south suburbs, King writes to establish overall mood; his songs are tightly orchestrated to maximize the listener’s religious experience. His singing, combined with the vocal enthusiasm of C.4.H.P., exude personality, conviction and authenticity.

That is not to say You’re Awesome offers no musical variety in its commitment to establishing tone. On the contrary: “I’ve Got the Victory” is big and brassy, while “Celebration of Praise” embraces its inner Caribbean flair. The project features ballads and mid-tempo movers. “I Will Abide,” the project’s finest moment, features the atmosphere-piercing voice of JDI’s always amazing DeNetria Champ. Overall, King’s signature sound is super-size and reflects his diverse musical interests that include gospel, smooth jazz, rock and fusion.

Thus, while outside of “I Will Abide” no single song stands out as a blazing single, You’re Awesome as a unified whole will satisfy Praise & Worship enthusiasts as well as their worship leaders who want to set a prayerful, soul-searching and personally enriching worship experience.

Two and a Half of Four Stars