CeCe Winans – Thy Kingdom Come (review)

Thy Kingdom Come
CeCe Winans
Pure Springs Gospel 2008
www.cecewinans.com

This has definitely been a championship season for the Winans Family. The Clarks may have swept this year’s Stellars, but fellow Detroiters the Winans have been making their own joyful noise.

First, Marvin’s Alone But Not Alone debuted on Billboard’s gospel charts at #1, featuring the introspective hit, “Just Don’t Wanna Know.” Meanwhile, BeBe went Churchin’ with a two-CD set brimming with A-list guest appearances, Vickie nabbed a couple of Stellars and CeCe launched a record label, received the Chevrolet Most Notable Achievement Award at the Stellars, and just gave birth to her eighth solo release, Thy Kingdom Come.

If Vickie tears the roof off churches with her gospel shouting, CeCe has commandeered the gentler Praise & Worship sound, her voice a mixture of gospel and power pop enfolded in New Age serenity. Thy Kingdom Come is among CeCe’s finest efforts, integrating gospel and contemporary Christian pop seamlessly. The current hit, “Waging War,” is a good example of this admixture of modern sounds, as is “It Ain’t Over,” which affixes a slightly bluesy, antiphonal gospel sound atop a bass-propelled funk groove.

The entire project benefits from top-shelf arrangements, with a lush and sweeping orchestration reminiscent of the Gamble-Huff TSOP era. The crisp production comes courtesy of an all-star production team, including Tommy Sims, Luther “Mano” Hanes, Percy Bady, Cedric & Victor Caldwell (CeCe’s son Alvin Love III as co-producer) and newcomers Christopher Capehart and Brannon Tunie.

The lyrics are not those of an unsettled soul in need of prayer, but a woman who has come out of the wilderness and just wants to give praise and thanks. Likewise, the melodies and arrangements sparkle with optimism, particularly the mantra-like opening track, “We Welcome You.” When on “You’re the One,” CeCe sings, “You’re the only one my heart beats for,” you realize that much of the project is really an epic love poem to Jesus.

Another standout track, “Worthy,” underscores CeCe’s praise lyrics with polyrhythmic percussion and powerful African-tinged choral harmonies. “The Test of Time” has a compelling beat, a fascinating and complex melody, and could well crossover to the CCM charts. It’s the track that echoes in your mind after the disc stops spinning.

Once again, the Winans – individually this time – are taking gospel into a new century. CeCe’s Thy Kingdom Come combines a variety of new sounds to produce a package that is fresh, vibrant, and positive.

Four of Four Stars