TBGB Pick of the Week: February 20, 2006

“How, Why, When”
Khristian
From the Nahor Music CD This Year
2005
www.KhristianMusic.com

I had the same sensation listening to This Year by Christian Dentley (aka Khristian) that I had the first time I heard Israel Houghton: the sound is different, edgy, well-produced, muscle-twitching, joyful, and smart. It is as much an indicator of the direction of gospel music as any top ten gospel CD.

Given Khristian’s experience in a rock band, as a substitute singer in Take 6 and a student at a performing arts school, it’s no surprise his first album is an amalgam of many different musical styles. In other, less capable hands, such an amalgam can create a cacophony, but it’s seamless on This Year because of Khristian’s multi-genre talent and the superb musicians supporting him.

While This Year is a marvelous album, “How, Why, When” leaps out of the speakers. It is charisma in standard song form, reminding us how hit records sounded when they had more groove and less gimmick. Khristian has a fine voice but more importantly, he oozes personality on this track. It’s a song that should be burning up any hit chart that would be lucky enough to have it.