“He’s Here”
Niyoki
2006
From the D2G Records CD My Everything
www.niyoki.com
Niyoki’s RnB-soaked gospel track “He’s Here” reminds me of the medium-tempo dance songs I used to enjoy on “Soul Train”: it possesses an easy, loping, hypnotic beat that more than makes up for the lack of a clever hook or memorable melody.
Niyoki has a musical biography that starts at early childhood, when she traveled and recorded with her gospel-singing family. Along the way, she spent time as a back-up singer for Prince and opened, with her sisters, for A-list RnB acts such as Boys II Men and R. Kelly. She’s come full circle to gospel.
It’s no surprise, then, that Niyoki’s CD My Everything provides a sample of her various musical experiences to date, especially church-rousing singing and cool jazzy and RnB vibes, such as on “He’s Here.”
Although I personally like “He’s Here” for the reasons I enjoyed those mid-tempo dance discs on “Soul Train,” I’ll admit it’s not the kind of song that typically brings church folk to their feet. I suspect it will be appreciated more in gospel clubs and on urban gospel radio.
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.
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