The Grace of God – Paul T.

Paul T.
The Grace of God
Independent Release
www.paultmusic.net

Singer-songwriter Paul Tawonezvi, aka Paul T., has released several albums in his native Zimbabwe during the past seventeen years, with two CDs in particular making significant noise on the charts there. Now residing in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Paul enters the U.S. market with his latest project, The Grace of God. The ten songs on the album range from African gospel to inspirational songs with a sweet American soul sound.

Songs like “Come On, Let’s Praise the Lord in an African Way” and “Your Will” are straight out of the spine-chilling African gospel choral tradition, complete with uncomplicated melodies, powerful harmonies, joyous rhythm, and praise and worship lyrics. “Come On” even features the traditional African shout. “Jerusalem” employs the solo Afro-beat that also used by reggae artists. In addition to praise and worship, Paul T’s songs encourage the listener to “turn this world around” through forgiveness and love. It is through love, the songs say, that we can make peace with one another. Can’t argue with that.

Paul T. sings in a relaxed, lower tenor register, a combination of Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s lead singer Joseph Shabalala and pop star Sting. On the ballad “We are God’s People,” however, Paul lets loose his wonderfully soaring high tenor. He should use this technique more often, as it is clearly his calling card.

Although The Grace of God features African-style songs that are in English and Shona (?), Paul’s sweet soul gospel songs are the ones that really stand out. Besides “We are God’s People,” strong tracks are “The World is Messed Up” and “Cast Me Not Away.” They are melodic, the beats are catchy, and they conjure up the soul and reggae music of the 1970s.

Three of Five Stars

gPod picks: “Come On,” “We are God’s People,” “The Grace of God”