JGM Pick of the Week: May 18, 2015

“Hero”
AsOne feat. Lamar Campbell & Spirit of Praise
From the Capital Christian Music Group CD
AsOne (release date: May 23, 2015)
www.asoneofficial.com

By Bob Marovich

Lisa Wright and Theresa Bailey are AsOne, billed as the first interracial gospel duo. Backed by the estimable strength of Lamar Campbell & Spirit of Praise, “Hero” is the duo’s brisk, melodic paean to God as the ultimate warrior and superhero.

Neither of the ladies is a stranger to gospel music. Wright has written songs for the likes of the Colorado Mass Choir and Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Bailey, also a songwriter, is an experienced background singer, choir director, and accompanist. On “Hero,” the ladies complement one another nicely in both tone and harmony. Actually, they sound as if they have sung together their entire lives.

Though there have been several multicultural gospel groups in the past, notably Andrae Crouch and the Disciples, the Exodus Singers and, from time to time, the Cleveland Singers, AsOne is the first interracial gospel duo I can think of, off the top of my head.  Their eight-selection self-titled debut album will be available next week.