Expectancy – Bishop Steven J. Bennett Presents House of Prayer & Praise Ministries Mass Choir

Bishop Steven J. Bennett Presents
House of Prayer & Praise Ministries Mass Choir
Expectancy
House of Prayer & Praise Ministries 2008
www.HOPPministries.org

Straight outta Detroit’s west side come Bishop Steven J. Bennett and the House of Prayer & Praise Ministries Mass Choir. Expectancy is part of the church’s theme for the year: Expectation, Expansion and Elevation. It’s also the name of the group’s album and a track on the CD.

Expectancy is truly a family affair. Four of “Pastor Steve’s” children – Kimya Scott, Leah Bennett, Myra Bennett and Stephanie Pride – contribute their estimable talents to the project as featured soloists and choir members.

Stephanie is the family’s standout singer. She has graced other projects with her effervescent voice and is set to release a solo album later this year. On Expectancy, surrounded by la familia, Stephanie leads “Holy One,” a fresh contemporary gospel song with hit hooks. Here, guitars buzz around Stephanie’s bubbly-sweet singing while a keyboard set on harpsichord plays what sounds like a caffeinated Bach cantata.

The title track gives Stephanie a chance to sing herself into a preacher’s cadence. Her sister Leah leads “New Day,” a spunky, poppish contemporary gospel song that also has single potential.

The album really blossoms during the traditional segment. Ernest J. Lee’s introductory bluesy piano notes on “Passing By” elicit shouts of appreciation and fond recognition from the choir. Jhonnie Mae Ashford and Bishop Bennett then launch hungrily into a litany of old and new congregational songs. One, “Back on the Road Again,” is a neo-traditional song and the album’s featured single. “Trust in Jesus,” another neo-traditional composition, was written by Stephanie, who doubles as its soloist.

The final track, “Satan is Defeated,” plays like the triumphant conclusion to a modern musical or pop opera.

Expectancy is a friendly, welcoming mixture of contemporary gospel and praise and worship songs to spark the spirit and traditional music to soothe the soul.

Four of Five Stars