C3 (Cho-zen 3)Cho-Zen By Faith
Real Records
By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog
The test of any singing group is whether it sounds good unplugged.
From Lumberton, North Carolina, Kimberly Worley, Terri Pittman, and Kimberly McKoy (member Felicia McLean passed away of cancer), are female trio Cho-Zen, aka C3, and they sound very good a cappella. They even pepper their album, Cho-Zen By Faith, with unaccompanied selections such as “Another Day’s Journey” and “I Just Can’t Give Up Now” (aka James Herndon’s “No Ways Tired”).
But even with instrumentation, C3 loves harmonies. From simple to complex, the trio swirls harmonies around in their mouths like sweet candy. As such, they evoke the Pointer Sisters, Destiny’s Child, and TLC, as well as gospel groups Trin-i-tee 5:7, Z’iel, and the Clark Sisters. If you enjoy these groups, you will like C3.
In addition to the album’s a cappella selections, C3 gives “By Faith,” which borrows lyrically from “We’ve Come This Far By Faith,” a quiet storm feel. “Contemplating I” and “I Don’t Know Why” are smooth jazz arrangements with Take 6-style harmonies. “Tell Somebody” is a good example of the group’s ability to combine old school lyrics (“I just want to tell somebody what He’s done for me”) with new school urban contemporary music.
“Don’t It Feel Good” is the album’s standout, a rhythmic praiser with a hand clap couplet that is the song’s dynamic hook, though it disappears way too early. I would suggest giving this track another try, as it has radio promise. Back in the day, it would be extended on 12-inch vinyl.
I would argue that not all social matters identified in “Contemplating II” signal the end of days, but nevertheless, Cho-Zen By Faith has plenty to offer the listener. It is sad to know that Felicia died young, but the group will, I’m sure, continue to keep her legacy alive in the songs they sing.
Four of Five Stars
Picks: “Another Day’s Journey,” “Don’t It Feel Good.”
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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