Eumika Body-Griffin
The Greatest Gift
Make Music Group (2010)
www.cdbaby.com/cd/EUMIKABODYGRIFFIN
During the opening track of her debut solo CD, The Greatest Gift, Eumika Body-Griffin shouts, “We come to blow the roof off this house tonight!”
Yet the most interesting selections on the CD are when Body-Griffin, the Gospel Choice winner of Best New Artist for 2008, is not trying to blow the roof off the house. When the biting guitar and thumping bass die down, the woofers stop pounding and the power P&W songs are over, the singer waxes traditional with Kevin “Griff” Griffin’s B3 in strong support, as on the medley “I Am God”/”Call Me By My Purpose.” It is on selections such as this one where the CD shows true character and distinctiveness.
In fact, from her “Worship Medley” through the conclusion, we hear Body-Griffin bask in her element, embellishing lines, shouting, squeezing ounces of emotion out of the notes until they cry of their own accord. She injects plenty of gospel energy on “Never Let Go,” a tribute to God’s goodness in her life (as in “I’ll never let go His hand”). “It’s Okay” is a song of encouragement to those who have the strength to succeed and simply need a pep talk.
Not that Body-Griffin is solely capable of traditional; it’s simply her sweet spot. True to her COGIC music heritage, she tries a little of everything, including getting jazzy on the title track and giving the vocal line what for on “Wanna Say Thank Ya,” a high-energy R&B-inspired song that closes the CD. She also brings in the Veni Vidi Canti Choir from Sweden to support her on “I Need You.”
The live portions of The Greatest Gift were recorded at One Accord Community COGIC in Decatur, Georgia, where Body-Griffin serves as worship leader. She delivers a fine debut solo performance and finishes strong.
Four of Five Stars
Picks: “I Am God”/”Call Me By My Purpose,” “Wanna Say Thank Ya.”
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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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“THE GREATEST GIFT” this is a must have cd. Something new. My favorite songs is “I am God” a conversation we all have with God.
This cd is a must have if you need encouragment or simply desire to exeperience the pressence of the Lord. Eumika will usher you directly to the throne with songs like “I am God” and the worship medley. This compiliation of praise and worhship songs is perfect for any gender, ethnicity, and age. All will be blessed just by listening.
Joy L. Ezekiel-Gibson
This annointed young lady is something to be reckoned with! The power and depth of her delivery is earth shaking; the words of her songs are chilling. We say that “The Lord” is pleased to call her HIS own…An awesome “Gift” in this 21st century-Eumika Body-Griffin, watch her sore like an Eagle…
Dr. Earl & Beverly Carter
Orlando, FLorida
The collaboration of Mika’s beautiful voice, her evident, infectious, genuine love of God and the inspiring music are what makes this CD a constant in my player.
This extraordinary and uniquely gifted women of God has been chosen for such a time as this, because of her oil and anointing her music will transcend the nations! Thank you for letting God usebuiu in great ways!
Elder Verlon and Lady Porshia Lofton
Minneapolis, Minnesota
I love this cd. This cd is truly a testiment to the life of Eumika Body-Griffin. Although it’s just the tip of the iceburg of what the world is about to see/hear from this anointed gospel preaching, praise/worshiping, prayer interceeding, gospel singing phenomenon; uh ha, all wrapped-up in one. Oh, and not to mention a true heart of servitude to her leaders and her local church family. To the world at large
…here…she…comes.
Bessie M. Jones
The true singer’s power comes from the ability to tap into the human spirit and pull from it a thing that no man made device can measure. It has been call soul, passion, that feeling of “something” that touches the listener beyond the arena of the auditory nerve. The chosen ones who have travailed experiences that seem to attack the human spirit are usually the ones that are the most dynamic in their art form of expression. The greatest singers, dancers, musicians, the craft matters not, it is the human spirit fighting back against the killing death of silence and unmoving can’t-ness that produces the world’s greatest marvels. To receive, the singer must give; the more they give the more they receive, causing them to continually give the more. We are inspired, comforted and encouraged especially when privileged enough to experience this power that is invisible to the naked eye but somehow sends an almost cryptic message phasing through the physical all the way to the core of the human spirit. It resonates in that part of us that every person shares, the God part of us. We worship, we praise, and we share commonalty in his manifested presence. To bring us to this marvelous place is her gift, her treasure’s worth; she is only as she can be, Eumika Body-Griffin.
Keith L. Landers
There is so much to be said about Eumika Body-Griffin. The most important thing I can say is her love for God and her sincere heart in her music is genuine. This CD has already touch so many people and if you have not heard it yet you are missing God given inspiration in songs. You can feel the encouragement in this CD from the first song to the last.
There is Gospel, praise and worship(upbeat) the feel of R&B,the Jazzy tune. This is a must get CD. Evang. Griffin along with her husband Kevin Mark Griffin is both extraordinary and gifted, bringing a sincere life live Gospel to the music world. LOOK OUT HERE THEY COME.
Love you much
Sheria(OACC)
As a young person, I can appreciate songs like “Make Some Noise” and “Oh Lord We Praise You”, but as a young Christian, I can also appreciate songs like, “I Need You”, which happens to be my favorite song on the album. I love Eumika’s voice and her clear dedication to her messgae. I can see through every song that her worship is coming from a real place. I can only hope that God will continue to use her in such a mighty way.
The greatest gift is a truly a must have CD. Eumika shares the wonderful anointed gift that the Lord has given her is such a special way. Once you hear the songs your heart will truly be blessed. I am so glad to call her my sister and friend.
I had the pleasure of hearing this music through a friend. I have been thoroughly blessed by this project. It remains in my car, on my ipod and on my computer. I’m so happy the music world is taking notice of this young woman of God. I believe she’s going to take the world by storm!
The Greatest Gift is just the start of what God has put in this wonderful woman of God. These Song are just an example of what God brought her through. She is an example of a leader who trust and live for God. Who want to be only what God wants her to be. I thank God for you and what he’s doing in her and the entire body family life. “You can only ministry to someone if you have gone through what they’ve experience “Thank you for your life experience so I can see what my outcome can be…
Love you more then you will ever know!!!
“The Greatest Gift” I have to say has been a blessing to me and has been the very thing that has ministered to me especially the latter parts of 2010. Evangelist Griffin has such an anointing on her life and the world has yet to see the gift that she has to share with the world. Worship is truly her lifestyle she not only sings about it but she lives it. I call her my role model, someone I would love to immulate. I thank God for “the Greates Gift”
There are those who have talent and can sing, therefore they perform and then there are those who are “gifted” and THEY minister. “The Greatest Gift” is a ministry that God chose Eumika Body-Griffin to be the “armor bearer” of. She would not know how to “perform” because her worship is pure, sincere and from the deepest place in her heart, thus she ministers to the heart and soul of those who have an ear to hear.
I was playing “It’s Okay” in my office one day and a lady who comes through and waters the plants came to my desk with tears in her eyes asking me who was singing “that” song. She said it was the most beautiful song she had ever heard and that it just “did something to her.” She said it was just what she needed to hear…..
There is a power and a Divine force that is evident in her music. It comes from the soul of a young woman who has had tests and trials that would have taken the average woman out of the race and caused her to give up on her dreams, but instead it seemed to increase her faith, determination and trust that her dreams were God-given and quitting was NOT an option. I stand in awe of her and her heart to serve. I believe it is why her voice is so incredible, so versatile and so instrumental in the ushering in of His presence.
There is a style of song for everyone on “The Greatest Gift”; and if it’s not your style, keep listening……it will be!
Blessed by her Gift,
Shari