CD Review: Malcolm Williams and Great Faith

Malcolm Williams and Great Faith
Walking in My Destiny
Univocal 2006
www.univocalrecords.com

Having been wowed by Malcolm Williams and Great Faith live at GMWA in Milwaukee last August, I was eager to hear how the ensemble would sound on disc. I was not at all disappointed. Walking in My Destiny offers a smorgasbord of songs, all but one written by the Chicago-based Williams, with a host of special guest soloists who lift the project a magnitude or two with their stellar contributions.

The finest moment on the album is the title track, a “faith walk” which is underscored appropriately by a propulsive, tight andante rhythm and concludes with wonderfully cascading harmonies courtesy of Great Faith. Tommies alumna Kim McFarland lights up the disc on “Due Season,” demonstrating her uncanny ability to transition vocally from angelic lightness to hardcore shouting. Gospel artist and announcer DeAndre Patterson duets with Williams on “Until He Saved Me,” the two producing husky harmonies like the O’Neal Twins in their prime.

The project’s churchwreckers are “My Everything” and “I’ve Got a Right,” the former possessing a fetching quartet-style bounce. The album’s bonus tracks are “Hold On,” with Chrystal Jenkins going Dianne Williams at the end of the performance; and “Meant to Live,” an intimate gospel ballad solo by Williams.

Walking in my Destiny has something for everyone and showcases a group of young Chicago performers with “great faith” and plenty of promise.