T.D. Jakes Presents Sacred Love Songs 2: Music Inspired by the Film Jumping the Broom

T.D. Jakes Presents
Sacred Love Songs 2:

The collaboration between gospel and pop artists from the Universal/Fontana roster has a “quiet storm” vibe, ideal for accompanying the important walk up the aisle. Fans of soul dusties in particular will lap it up.

Everyone brings his or her A-game to the project. Especially notable selections are Ledisi’s spot-on cover of Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together.” When Fred Hammond gets in touch with his silky smooth side on “My Lady and Myself,” he is giving everyone an early taste of what his planned jazzy love album might sound like. Bishop Paul Morton channels the husky baritone of Luther Vandross and the soul shouts of Teddy Pendergrass on “Finally,” recorded earlier by former NBA player Terry Cummings.

Like watching a game pitting teams from two opposing leagues, it is musically fascinating to hear sacred and secular music and artists working in tandem. For example, R&B singer Joe renders “Closer,” a song co-written by Juan Winans (Winans Phase 2). Micah Stampley, who first came to our attention via a T.D. Jakes project, does Brian McKnight’s hit, “Back at One.” The overall result is an a seamless, unified sound that defies categorization.

Bishop Jakes keeps things tied together thematically by lending his resonant basso on interstitials about love. On “The Homily,” he offers a heartwarming message about the true meaning of marriage.

In addition to being a clever tie-in with the popular film, this collection of a dozen rosy songs demonstrates just how very similar sacred and secular artists sound when they are singing about love, an emotion that embraces both sides of the white-carpeted aisle.

Four of Five Stars

Picks: “Finally,” “Closer.”