Trin-i-tee 5:7 – Angel & Chanelle (Deluxe Edition)

Trin-i-tee 5:7

The Deluxe Edition of Angel & Chanelle is separable into three parts. The opening selections contain a hearty helping of mood-setting electronica, including on the first single, “Over and Over,” which features superb vocal work from the song’s producer and Trin-i-tee 5:7’s Nawlins pal, PJ Morton.

Following a Stan Jones-produced melodic praise and worship power ballad called “I Worship Your Name,” the album transitions to the second section, which features a beat-heavy urban AC sound  This part contains “The Cross,” a heavy metal piece written and originally recorded by Prince. It declares the saving power of Christ in fascinating, hard-edged harmonies by the ladies and swatches of funky, Prince-esque psychedelic guitar.

The third section gives listeners an aural glimpse of a mature, beyond-their-years Trin-i-tee 5:7.  Here, “I’m Still Holdin’ On” is the head-turner, a compelling neo-traditional composition produced by Stan Jones that demonstrates the ladies’ stylistic versatility. “Psalm 139” is an equally lovely ballad, striking in its simplicity. “Drops of Rain” is dramatic and calming.  These final three songs contain tremendous feeling and meaning.

Song lyrics center on worship, acceptance, love, and the challenges of daily life that God can see you through. On “Bring Your Praise,” even the simple act of worship can be a force field preventing evil from invading.

If there’s any fault to Angel & Chanelle, it’s that the liner notes are not included in the package but are located instead on the Trin-i-tee 5:7 website. I get the marketing move in sending listeners to the site, but I prefer my composer and musician credits in the jewel case.

Trin-i-tee 5:7’s Angel & Chanelle – Deluxe Edition proves that the more things change, the more they stay the same.  And for the group’s fans, that’s a very good thing.

Five of Five Stars

Picks: “Over and Over,” “I Worship Your Name,” “I’m Still Holdin’ On.”

NOTE: The regular CD release has twelve songs; the Deluxe Edition contains five additional tracks, bringing the running total of the latter to a disc-packing 17 selections.