Lonnie Hunter feat. Structure – I’m Back

Lonnie Hunter feat. Structure

By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.

From business owner to Stellar-nominated gospel artist to Chicago morning drive-time gospel announcer to the host of one of the country’s most popular syndicated radio programs, Lonnie Hunter is a walking, talking success story. He was named Stellar Award Announcer of the Year in 2010 and continues to make music while manning the radio mic.

The title track and current single is a pounding mid-tempo declaration that the God-fearing can be down but are never out. From there, the ensemble delivers a dramatic, anthemic and semi-classical version of Kurt Carr’s arrangement of the hymn, “Holy Holy Holy.” As a child growing up Catholic, I hated this song because we sang it so often and with no verve. It would have been different had we learned this version.

Old-schoolers will appreciate the pewburners “The Holy Ghost is Moving” and “No Matter What Happens,” the latter a Malcolm Williams-penned Chicago-style rouser reaffirming that even if you are lied on or backbitten, keep the praise aloft. Slowing the tempo, Lonnie Hunter and Structure do Roberta Martin Singer Eugene Smith’s quintessential gospel blues, “The Lord Will Make a Way,” cleverly interpolating “Hush! Somebody’s Calling My Name” to craft a medley. Hunter clearly inherited his late mother’s singing sense.

I’m Back concludes with a funky version of “Wade in the Water,” aided by Daniel Weatherspoon’s smart and multi-textured music direction. Lonnie Hunter continues to demonstrate his artistic versatility on this new project, recorded in Philadelphia but infused with Chi-town swagger.

Four of Five Stars

Picks: “No Matter What Happens,” “Church in the Studio.”