Manifest – Highest Praise

Manifest
Highest Praise
Manifest Music, LLC (2011)
http://www.manifestsings.com/

By Bob Marovich for The Black Gospel Blog.

Manifest calls themselves a “Christian men’s ensemble” – with fourteen members, they are technically a choir – and they bring a little bit of everything to their debut CD, Highest Praise. The fact that they are hard to put a finger on, even in their classification, makes sense, because Manifest, directed by Jonathan P. Hicks, is decidedly different, but in a quality way.

For example, “According to His Purpose” is a brassy song about accepting Jesus, while “Highest Praise” is set to a funky house beat. Drummer Jermaine Parrish opens “Extraordinary” with a frenetic drum solo and Ian Jones evokes Roger Roberts of the Cleveland Singers in his high tenor vocal solo. There’s even a bit of rap on “Extraordinary.” “Who Do You Say I Am” is semi-classical, dramatic in its harmonic tension. Most of the songs, incidentally, are originals, written by members of the group.

Despite the variety of sounds, Highest Praise is consistent in its exposition of smooth-as-mousse harmonies and equally silky lead vocals, most evident on mid-tempo mellow tracks such as “Because of Who You Are,” “One God,” and the delicate “Bread of Life.”

The concluding selection, “Holy Ride,” has a traditional gospel quartet feel, complete with the ages-old use of the journey analogy to describe the final passage to Heaven. “Trust in the Savior,” Manifest sings, “‘cause he’s going to drive you there.” Country-style guitar, bluesy harmonica and tambourine accompany the singing.

The overall experience of Manifest’s Highest Praise is restful and prayerful, not unlike hearing the Richard Smallwood Singers at their most contemplative. Manifest sounds like they really believe in and enjoy what they are doing, too. Although Manifest made its performing debut only a few months ago, at the Triad Theater in New York City, its voices give evidence to no small amount of training and preparation.

Four of Five Stars

Picks: “Extraordinary,” “Bread of Life.”