Bryan Popin – You Can Make It

By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog

You Can Make It is a superb national debut for Bryan Popin, a New Jersey native and music prodigy. His resume includes work with African American and Southern gospel artists, training from a Julliard instructor, and even Stevie Wonder, who nicknamed him “Little Boy Wonder” for demonstrating tremendous promise at an early age.

The album traverses the spectrum of sonic territory, from the intimate and informal old-school sing along on “Thank You Jesus” to the stadium-filling power praise ballad “Beautiful Savior.” Rock-fueled praise ballads are what Popin does best. He demonstrates this not only on “Beautiful Savior,” but also on “So Incredible” and “Here for You,” a hard-hitting and huge production number.

Popin blends traditional and contemporary gospel in the early portion of the CD, especially on “Alright,” a simmering gospel blues in rocking chair time that benefits from an extraordinary assist from Tamela “Take Me to the King” Mann. The title track concludes with some fiery a cappella gospel singing. Martha Munizzi also appears on the album, joining Popin on the melodic “Your Love Amazes Me.”

No matter the style, Popin sings with enthusiasm and conviction, as does the large background choir. Seems that eOne Worship threw the book at this project in the quality of its musicians and singers.

Although some selections are straight worship and thanksgiving, the album’s predominant message is encouragement and hope, that freedom from trials and struggle can be found by holding on to Jesus.

It’s Popin’s testimony. “This whole record is my life song and my story because I’ve lived it,” he said. “Pretty much every song I’ve lived and I’ve breathed and I’ve walked. Jesus helped me keep it together. He put the right people in my path. So if I can make it, you can make it.”

Four of Five Stars

Pick: “Alright,” “Beautiful Savior.”