First Creation – Nobody Like Jesus

First Creation
Nobody Like Jesus
First Creation 2008
www.myspace.com/firstcreationmusic

On the infectious “Great Change,” First Creation sings, “I once was young, but now I’m old.” Such a line seems incongruous coming from the nattily-dressed, suave youngish group from Toledo, Ohio, but it’s their poetic license. Much like Commissioned, after whom they patterned themselves, First Creation delivers a youthful, contemporary sound.

The title track of First Creation’s latest release, Nobody Like Jesus, is one example of the group’s jaunty, keyboard-heavy contemporary sing-along groove. “All Because of You” is another, and a third is the group’s funky arrangement of Curtis Mayfield’s classic “People Get Ready.” On one hand, the latter borrows sufficient structure from the Impressions’ famous soul anthem for the listener to make the connection between this song and the original, but on the other hand, it’s a completely different arrangement and more relevant to today’s issues.

In an interview with TBGB, First Creation founder Jerry Boose commented, “A lot of radio stations focused first on ‘Jesus You’re My Everything,’ but ‘People Get Ready’ is the song people enjoy most when we sing live. That’s why we are now promoting this particular single to radio.”

Nobody Like Jesus also introduces First Creation’s fans to the group’s newest member, William (Redd) Crook, Jr. Originally from Chicago, Crook handles most of the songwriting and arranging on the album. His Windy City roots show on the James Cleveland-influenced “Jesus You’re My Everything,” the album’s finest cut. A different side of the group can be heard on the soulful, quiet-storm “Possessed by His Love.”

Making last year’s Stellar Awards first ballot for best contemporary group, First Creation heads to Florida in November to tour and promote Nobody Like Jesus.

Three of Five Stars

gPod picks: “Jesus, You’re My Everything,” “People Get Ready,” “Great Change.”