Alisa Cameron – Rainbow After the Storm

Alisa Cameron
Rainbow After the Storm
Alisa Cameron (2011)
http://www.alisacameron.com/

By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.

Just south of Milwaukee is the city of Racine, Wisconsin, home to gospel singer Alisa Cameron. We first met Ms. Cameron in January 2010, when we reviewed her debut album, Seasons. She’s back with her sophomore release, Rainbow After the Storm, which continues her traditional-with-a-contemporary-groove style of performance.

The best songs on Rainbow After the Storm are those that Cameron wrote in partnership with Antonio Hilliard and Derrick Horne. These include “Miracle Worker,” which sounds like something Dottie Peoples or Shirley Caesar would sing; the equally strong “One Touch;” and the slow, emotional title track and first single. Nevertheless, the album has so much pep and spirit – “It’s Time” gets downright funky at points – and Cameron gets so much hustle from her team that even the most conventional of lyrics are juiced.

An especially interesting track is Cameron’s neo-soul take on the old Doc Watts’ “I Love the Lord,” which has to be heard to be appreciated.

Producer Derrick Horne is astounding. He handles the instrumentation and even jumps in on background vocals. He also duets with Cameron on “Rainbow,” where both provide testimonies: Cameron’s is dealing with the loss of a child, and Horne’s is challenging but less specific.

Alisa Cameron sings with the gusto of an independent artist who has nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Three of Five Stars

Picks: “Rainbow After the Storm,” “Miracle Worker.”