Kevin LeVar & One Sound – Let’s Come Together (Deluxe Edition)

Kevin LeVar & One Sound

Habakkuk Music (2010)

Another deluxe edition is due out tomorrow: Kevin LeVar & One Sound’s Let’s Come Together. 

The enhanced version of LeVar’s fine praise and worship project from 2008 includes all the songs from the original CD plus four new songs.  The companion DVD includes music videos, live concert and television footage, and more information on Kevin LeVar and his ministry.

You can read my review of the original project here and my interview with Kevin here.

Listening to Let’s Come Together – Deluxe Edition with fresh ears, I remain impressed by the quality of LeVar’s vocal delivery – commanding but soothing and always sincere – and the musical fusion that accompanies the P&W selections.  The ballads “A Heart that Forgives” (one of TBGB’s top songs of 2009) and “You Are Not Alone” are the album’s standout selections, but “I’ll Say Yes” is also a winner.  It’s LeVar’s breathlessly passionate acceptance of God’s calling.  For those who like worship songs with teeth, try “What-Cha Know about Jesus.”

Let’s Come Together features guest vocalists Chante Moore on “Atmosphere of Faith” and LeVar’s “godmother” from Refreshing Spring COGIC, Evangelist Myrna Summers, on the pleasant “Just Like You.”

One of the new songs, “I Love You So Much,” has an island flavor to it, which is completely fitting with the original’s musical eclecticism.  An acoustic version of “A Heart That Forgives,” also new, is even more poignant in its simplicity than the original.  The two other new songs are “Atmosphere of Faith,” re-recorded with Chante Moore singing the duet; and “What-Cha Know About Jesus,” which was rearranged and re-recorded especially for the new edition.

The Deluxe Edition DVD provides more information on LeVar’s project of social significance, the “Forgive and Live Campaign.”  It’s an initiative to “inspire one million acts of forgiveness” and it kicked off last month. 

Like Brian Courtney Wilson’s deluxe edition, also released this month, LeVar’s new package is a chance for late adopters of his artistry to learn more about the man and his music.

gPod Picks: “A Heart That Forgives,” “You Are Not Alone,” “I’ll Say Yes.”

Reviewed by Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.