Paulis Sanchez – Seguro En Ti

Paulis Sanchez
Seguro En Ti
Oxygeno Musica 2007
www.paulissanchez.com

It’s evident that gospel music is an international phenomenon when a Colombian-born Latina living in Toronto, Canada sings a Walter Hawkins song in Spanish. And it works.

Meet the lovely and talented Paulis Sanchez.

Sanchez, who for years has led the bi-lingual worship services at her home church, Rhema Christian Ministries in Toronto, released her debut solo album, Seguro En Ti (Safe in You) in 2007. It is an impressive debut: well produced, compelling, and melodic. Most importantly, the album exudes Sanchez’s joy in singing the glory down.

Steeped in black gospel music at Rhema, Sanchez is just as comfortable rendering praise and worship songs and hard-hitting urban-flavored gospel (Papa San and Sean Simmons are guest artists) as she is delivering heartwarming worship ballads in the Latin Christian tradition. She can work a hip hop-infused gospel such as “Me Tienes,” and then sing as tenderly as the late Selena Quintanilla-Perez. Ballads such as “Cuan Hermoso,” and her oft-requested song, “En Ti Jehova” are fine examples of her softer style.

Sanchez displays her commanding yet graceful alto on songs such as “Canta al Senor,” “Quien,” and “Gracias,” the latter a Spanish-language version of Walter Hawkins’ classic “Thank You.” “Gracias” is followed immediately by “Gracias Fiesta,” a reprise that highlights the song’s Latin groove.

Sanchez plans for her next release to be in English, which will help open more doors for her. But even if you don’t know a word of Spanish, you will enjoy the singing of Paulis Sanchez, as well as the sweet melodies and variety of styles displayed on Seguro En Ti.

Read more about Paulis Sanchez in an article I wrote for Music as Follows.

Four of Five Stars

gPod Picks: “Quien,” “Eres Mi Gozo,” “En Ti Jehova.”