Chris Epps – Here I Am…

Chris Epps

Epps wanted his album to be “the light in all the dark places of life.” It is indeed the light, and a balmy Atlantic breeze, with major seventh chords rustling the curtains like ocean air. “Grateful” is a good example of Epps’ soft but firm musical touch, and he repeats the chorus like a mantra – again evoking classic Seal – to encourage a worship team sing-along. Epps does something similar on “All Things,” which draws its inspiration from Romans 8:28.

“Without Faith” has a Stylistics-meet-smooth jazz feel, as Epps goes into husky head voice a la Russell Thompkins, Jr. “Clap Your Hands” is sweet soul, an encouragement to praise with hands and feet.  The most interesting selection is Epps’s contemporary spin on the classic hymn, “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah.” A powerfully harmonic ensemble of vocalists assists on the selection. My money, however, is on the Cee Lo-esque “I Need U,” a solidly soulful praise piece with hard-hitting drive.

Picks: “I Need U,” “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah.”