Praise and Worship…Unleashed! — Doris Stokes & Praise Unlimited

Doris Stokes & Praise Unlimited
Praise and Worship…Unleashed!
Black Pearl Enterprises 2008
http://www.dorisastokes.com/

Dayton, Ohio has made a considerable mark on music history, and the Stokes Family seems to have played a role in many of the Gem City’s top groups.

The late Otha Stokes, Jr. was with the Ohio Players and the Sugarhill Gang (“A great saxophonist,” recalled Khadijah Ali, daughter of the late Paul Arnold of the Gospelaires). Hakim sang with Heatwave. Frank, Ralph and Otis Stokes were in the RnB group Lakeside.

The youngest sister, Psalmist Doris Stokes, followed her brothers into the professional music scene by, among other things, singing with Hakim on the soundtrack of MGM’s All Dogs Go to Heaven. She was also a founding member of the choir “David Minor with One Voice,” which later regrouped as “New Vision.” New Vision sang on programs and workshops with some of gospel’s greatest talents, including Marvin Sapp, Dorinda Clark-Cole and Tramaine Hawkins.

Meanwhile, Doris has worked in prison ministry, fashion design, and is an actor, playwright, mother, praise and worship leader and now a Doctoral candidate. Clearly an under-achiever!

What Doris hadn’t done was her own live solo project, but now she can check that off her “to do” list because Praise and Worship…Unleashed! was released last October. The project showcases Doris’s powerful voice and ability to deliver praise and worship lyrics with the gusto of gospel.

The live album opens with “Demonstrate Your Power” and “Bless His Holy Name,” two high-energy, mid-tempo performances with confident backing by the musicians and the strong and supportive singers of Praise Unlimited.

“Calypso Praise (STRIKE!)” is the featured track, a spicy, uptempo Caribbean-flavored bouncer that features Elder Carnell Murrell (“You Are God”).

Despite the popularity of “Calypso Praise (STRIKE!),” Doris’s stock in trade is the extended, dramatic and intense praise and worship songs that start slow and build in intensity. Ideal examples on Praise and Worship…Unleashed! are “Lord, I Praise You,” “Majestic Greatness” and “Lift Those Hands.” “Lord, I Praise You” is a duet with Minister Keith Leak and the best track on the project.

“Jehovah Reigns!” closes out the project with Israel Houghton-style effervescence.

Those who find the praise and worship style of sacred music an acquired taste will enjoy this CD because it praises without sacrificing solid gospel technique and emotional power.

Three and a Half of Four Stars

UPDATE: Congratulations to Tom Matta of Erie, PA, who won a copy of Jai Reed’s Anointed for Purpose, courtesy of Push-It Online Newszine and TBGB.

Tom answered the following question successfully:

Question: In what category was Jai Reed nominated for the 24th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards?

Answer: New Artist of the Year