Valley of Decision
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Christafari In 1986, Mark Mohr visited Jamaica and drew near to reggae music as well as a longing for marijuana. He took his passion for reggae music and after only 3 years, Mohr had established himself in the Reggae...
Let Me See Your Eyes
by
Cory Diverse. That single word describes the style and genius of singer and song-writer, Cory Asbury. Based in the International House of Prayer in Kansas City, Missouri, Cory Asbury has built up his name as...
Tonight
by
TobyMac To say Toby Mckeehan is a legend in music is a gross understatement. As front member of DC Talk, arguably the most influential band in Christian music history as they were known around the world mainstream,...
Cory Asbury - Let Me See Your Eyes | Posted June-11-2010
Diverse. That single word describes the style and genius of singer and song-writer, Cory Asbury. Based in the International House of Prayer in Kansas City, Missouri, Cory Asbury has built up his name as the energetic, very passionate, and most experimental worship leader at IHOP and Let Me See Your Eyes expresses his style perfectly. the In his co-debut album, Holy, along with singer Matt Gilman, Cory displayed solid lyricism and instrumentation but left room for what he may do if he was given a chance to do a full solo project. Let Me See Your Eyes was his chance and he did anything but disappoint.
Let Me See Your Eyes is unlike any other album ever released by the illustrious Forerunner Music record label. With artist that features world-renowned musician Misty Edwards, upcoming sensation Laura Hackett, and the powerful and yet soothe sounding Jaye Thomas, Cory Asbury stands out uniquely among the others and his gotten him recognition and the opportunity to open on concert for well-known Christian artist and author of "How He Loves" John Mark McMillan. With phenomenal drummer David Whitworth and backup singer, and wife, Anna Asbury helping him along the way, Asbury takes the listener on a trip with the Holy Spirit as the guide. After a short intro (which will be revisited later), the opening track is the title track of the album “Jesus, Let Me See Your Eyes” . Asbury is asking to see His eyes and so he can know how much He loves us, so that we may never forget how much He wants, cares, and loves us” (Revelation 1:14) in this wonderful acoustic and happy-feeling start. Cory Asbury speaks about this song as well as covering other songs on Let Me See Your Eyes in the following interview that can be viewed by clicking play on the following YouTube player.
“Psalm 18″ is a transy track with a very steady bass line as every other word pounds into unison with the beat. Lyrically wise, it is literally is Psalm 18 in a paraphrased form. In a whole different direction of ”Let Me See Your Face, God” features Edwin Oberto who raps the entire song while Cory Asbury sings the chorus and the bridge as they pant to God to see the Lord clearly, as Asbury expresses in the opening song. “Counted The Cost” is yet another turn in style of music as this song concentrates highly on hip hop. In a crowd favorite, Asbury makes the listener want to roll down their windows in their car while yelling at the top of their lungs saying “One day He’s gonna split the sky, and one day He’s gonna come for His bride! I know it!” “Counted The Cost” definitely stands out on the album as it speaks counting everything as a complete loss just to know to know Christ and how it is completely worth it to do it.
“My Beloved” is undoubtedly the anthem and most popular song of Let Me See Your Eyes. As the first single released 26 days before Let Me See Your Eyes was publicly released, “My Beloved” was well received from day one. It blends hip hop, rock, incredible lyrics, special sound affects along with the powerful accompaniment of Jaye Thomas,
“My Beloved” is arguably the best song on the album, though every song puts up a strong case for that title. Born out of Psalm 27:4 and Song of Solomon 5:10, Cory Asbury presents the strongest case for a Grammy-Award or GMA Dove Award in this sanctuary party igniter. After this, Cory Asbury slows it with four straight absolutely beautiful and passionate worship songs along with a transcending anointed interlude in that mix with “Faithful To The End”, “Selah”, “Everything You Do”, “Beautiful Savior”, and “Mercy”. Each one of these songs brings their own unique sound unlike the others that will take you deep into the heart of worship with messages of truth, love, and unfathomable beauty.
“Always Faithful” is a duet with Asbury’s wife, Anna, as Asbury keeps the experimental train rolling as this has more violins, a tad of auto tune for the couple’s already fine tuned voices, and a techno-poppy that would choreographers begging to come up with a dance routine for the song. This song smoothly cascades to another version of “Always Faithful”. This version of it is spontaneous. It was completely unrehearsed and unplanned. God literally took over all the instruments and for over ten minutes played the most beautiful melodies and choruses and loops. Asbury speaks and sing off and on through the track giving the Lord complete praise and singing parts of the original version throughout the song.
To end Let Me See Your Eyes, Asbury redoes his most infamous from his previous co-album with “Where I Belong” and finishes it out with a six-minute intimate worship outro in “Hallelujah” which is a continuation of the intro. “Hallelujah” lyrics also is dubbed straight from the Bible from Revelation 21:4 where it says
He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.
Let Me See Your Eyes definitely sets the stage for Cory Asbury’s career and has brought him to new heights in respect of music ability, diversity, intimacy, and focus to the Lord Jesus Christ. You can purchase Let Me See Your Eyes by clicking on one of the following links.
Christafari - Valley of Decision | Posted June-11-2010
In 1986, Mark Mohr visited Jamaica and drew near to reggae music as well as a longing for marijuana. He took his passion for reggae music and after only 3 years, Mohr had established himself in the Reggae Music Industry. But in 1989, a new longing replaced the desire for marijuana; it was the the longing to know Jesus Christ. At a youth camp Mohr attended that year, he committed his life to Christ and shortly after, Mohr fused his passion for Reggae Music and love for God. Within two weeks Mohr, had written and performed his first gospel song to the public. He then attended the Biblical Institute of Los Angeles and felt the Lord’s calling to start the first Christian Reggae Band in American history. Mohr, being a former Rasta, (a person who believes in the God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit but believes that Emperor Hailie Selassie I of Ethopia is the reincarnation of Jesus. Selassie I himself, discouraged this, and recognized he was not the Savior, and that only Jesus is) was approached by the bass-player that played for Mohr’s first gospel song said, “So you’re no longer a Rastafarian, your a Christafarian.” With a shortening of the name, and an adding of several members including his wife, Christafari was born.
Returning back to the states, Christafari made their first independent album and were recognized by Toby Mckeehan, CEO of Gotee Records, who eventually signed the reggae sensations and up to 2010, Christafari has performed in 45 nations, 46 states, 2 Olympic games, and even performed for the President of the United States. Valley of Decision is the sophomore album release under Gotee Records and is the best selling selling Christian reggae album in the history of the genre. With unguessed mashes of reggae, R&B, heavy bass lines, talented horns, scripturally-based lyrics, and exciting sincere hearts, Valley of Decision transcends all barriers of any listeners status quo playlist. In the opening track title track, “Valley of Decision” lead-singer and smooth-voiced vocalist through most of the songs on the album, Erik Sundin, provides the serenation of knowing we have complete victory every time as long as we trust in God in no matter what valley we are in as Mark Mohr intricately blends his parts in the bridge . The start of the song starts with an excellent Spanish guitar solo that leaves any long time guitar player in awe.
“Can’t Stop” is a pop-flowing song that has a feel that could be played for wedding receptions or any type of outside party as they rock to the feeling of how there is no way possible to stop praising God for all He has done. “Best Friend” is speedily paced that has mainly Mark Mohr singing while Sundin accompanies him for the background vocals saying “I love Jesus”.
There’s a beautiful gift that is received when someone receives the the gift of life and that is new sight. Not necessarily, brand new physical eyeballs, but the ability and mindset to see things clearly through Gods’ eyes and “My Eyes” speaks of this holy epiphany. “You filled my eyes with fire!” belts out in the chorus, as he seemingly correlates it to Revelation 19:12 where it says Jesus’ eyes are like a flame of fire. “Modern Day Pharisee” pleasantly challenges “Valley of Decision” as the best track on the album as Erik Sundin speaks on the self-righteous, selfish people who think they are saved on their works and find pleasure in belittling anyone who disobeys God’s word instead of knowing that they too are only saved by grace not by actions. “Modern Day Pharisee” is packed with the best lyricism and perfect bass drops as well as unapologetic truth.
“Long is the road to Mount Zion, but strong are the Arms that carry me there” is the hook of “Surrender” which also begs a case for the title for the for the best song on the album. It speaks of surrendering all your time to the One who deservers it, in this magnificent rhythmic piece. “Set Me Free” and “Freedom Dub” is a long, very simple yet relaxing number where Sundin speaks out to the Lord to set him free and lead him out of temptation because he is still enslaved to some of his sinful habits. “Jungle Inna Babylon” is the most fast paced song of the album that heavily relies on Mark Mohr talents to sing and skat random sounds that gives the sound a unique feel.
“Keep On Looking Up” has an awesome double meaning to the song. The first meaning is to keep persevering in the Christian walk and that it is a must to keep our on eyes on God and His new promises everyday which is a humongous must. The second meaning is to keep on looking up in the sky for the return of Jesus as Sundin conveys in the second verse when he says “one day we shall see His face” while in the breakdown bridge he says “no more crying, no more suffering, a world of laughter.” “Live This Love” talks about showing the love Christ shows to us daily. Though it is extremely tough, we must do it to show the world a refelction of what He has done for us. “Time” stresses the importance of spending personal time Jesus as “Him Die Fi Yuh” (He died for you) blends jazz and reggae as Sundin and Mohr shows the indescribable incredible feeling of being forgiven and giving all thanks to God every single day.
After a short “Ad Lib” interlude, Christafari revisits “Can’t Stop” but this time performing the entire song in Spanish in “No Puedo Dejar”.
Valley of Decision is by far one of the top albums in reggae history. It will bring a new perspective to listeners who are not very familiar or typically listen to reggae, as well as edifying the listener Biblically.
Trip Lee - 20/20 | Posted May-14-2010
To say we like or even love someone we must know who and why we like them. In 20/20, Trip Lee conveys this vital truth; to know God and who He is clearly and perfectly by examining the scriptures instead of basing our assumptions about Him from others or from our own personal idea of God. 20/20 is the Texas' native second solo album. His first project, If They Only Know, was recorded while he was in high school along with being on other compilation albums under Reach Records that featured artist Lecrae, Tedashii, Json, and Thi'sl. But Trip Lee's finest moment that became the launching pad for his name and career came when he featured on Lecrae's sophomore album After the Music Stops in the revolutionary Christian hip hop song, Jesus Muzik.
20/20 starts off with an intro that summarizes the problem of not understanding God clearly and how we need to desperately dive into the scriptures. "Superstar (Eyes Off Me)", by far being the most succesful song of 20/20 according to digital sales, Trip Lee displays every effort to get the glory, honor, or fame off of him in this opening hit. The song feels as of it's an alarming emergency as an effective police signal horn blows at the start of the song. He is very extremely humble yet very sincere in getting point across in lines like "I don't want the spotlight, It's not right, I'm not tight, I rep Him when I rock mics" and "No time to flow bout shiny clothes, or shoes, or golden chains. My mind is sold to the God who rose, His truth is on my brain." "Superstar" concentrates on not looking at Christians as the ultimate standard because even in our toughest efforts, we still fall and need grace. But instead to look at Christ becuse he never failed.
"Real Vision" is the base track of the album that has a southern hip hop style beat as the brass play a big role in the hook. Trip Lee along with the help Reach Record recording artist, Tedashii, warn people to not base what you think about God on what others around tell you about Him, not even Christians. But to the look to the Bible first and see if it lines up to what others are saying. He relays this powerful message in catchy lyrical form saying "I don't know what you heard, hope it matches with the Word. I don't know what you think, but it's time to get it straight" repeating in the hook.
"Inexhaustible" is a choreographic dance track that teaches that you can never stop learning about God. Not even the smartest theologians in the world can grasp the gospel completely and that they are barely a scratching the slightest edge of the surface. In fact, the more we learn about God through scripture, the more is to know. What a person may grasp, just multiplies. It's a never-ending beautiful quest to know the Creator. "Who Is Like Him" is an anthem track paraphrasing Isaiah 40 simply saying there has never been or will never be anyone like God while "We Told Em" challenges believers to act out what we say on Sundays and not just "talk a good game" and then fail habitually when an opportunity to share His goodness and love comes around. "Cling to You" features features relaxed-toned rapper, Shai Linne, in a neo-soul, jazz smooth track explaining the natural pain and storms of life and clinging to Jesus, no matter if the situations gets better or even may get worse, but nontheless trusting Him all the way through as your before and after. "Relief" continues the R&B train with serene singer J.R. as Trip Lee takes the listener of on a relaxing trip on speaking on the peace Christians have in the midst of a world filled with sin. "Behold the Spirit" is a dedication to the Holy Spirit, a vital part of the Trinity. It explains how he is the one who convicts people in the first place to even fall in love with Jesus. Yet He is the same as God.
Hedonism is a greek word that means to search and find superior and perfect contentment in pleasure. It has been often long been referred as trying to pursuit perfect pleasure and satisfaction in sex, money, and other materialistic objects. Instead, Trip Lee, points out that this unction to find superior pleasure is natural and that God put it in us. But he did not put in us to find the answer in world but to find it in Him because He is the only one who can fully satisfy the desire. "Satisfaction (Hedonist)" jumps back into the dancing mode as the last lines of the song explains
Say I'm a hedonist I seek my pleasure
Not in sex nope He's much better
Not in wealth nah He's my treasure
Pursuing anything else will just upset you
Say I'm a hedonist I seek my pleasure
Not in sex nope He's much better
Not in wealth nah He's my treasure
"Come Close" and "Who He Is" features Flame (Grammy Nominated for album Our World Redeemed), Sho Baraka, most successful Christian hip hop rapper Lecrae, and singer Cam. Trip Lee asks the listener to examine the the Bible thoroughly and see the beauty, power, and glory and honor of the whole book. "Who He Is" is a heartfelt song that releases the message that everytime we think of the Lord's goodness, beleivers wanna give him more and more using the body for his purpose alone. "Intimacy" challenges the status quo that a rap song cannot be slow and very affectionate worship song. Using singer Diamone to deepen the feeling of the song, Trip Lee explores the vast beauty of meeting the Lord in the secret place as the melody of song is soothing and Heavenly.
Trip Lee's last two songs "Relief" and "Eyes Open" are infested with classical violins and flutes in contemplative story telling about different real scenarios we as people face such as self-esteem, living in abandoned loss in the world looking for answers, suicide, and even in the pressures of living in a "Holy" setting. In "Eyes Open", J.R. revisits 20/20 to tag along with Trip Lee in praising God that believers can finally see everything in life, clearly and perfectly through Him. In a bonus song, "Hip Hop", Trip Lee challenges the mantra that says rappers live for hip hop but actually hip hop was made for believers by God to be used to by Christians to preach the Gospel and worship Him in a specific fashion.
20/20 is a groundbreaking album that belongs to anyone who wants to hear uncanny lyricism and truth all wrapped in one. You can buy 20/20 by cling on the following links.
TobyMac - Best solo release? | Posted May-14-2010
To say Toby Mckeehan is a legend in music is a gross understatement. As front member of DC Talk, arguably the most influential band in Christian music history as they were known around the world mainstream, he won five Grammy Awards and an astounding 18 GMA Dove Awards between 1989 and 1999. In 2000, the three band members took an indefinite hiatus and pursued solo careers. "TobyMac" 's solo career success has been synonymous with DC Talk with a 2009 Grammy Award (Best Rock or Gospel Album: Alive and Transported), five Grammy Award nominations, and 10 GMA Dove Awards, including his work he contributed on Music Inspired by The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe (New World). He has three studio albums, two remix albums, and one live album in his solo repertoire up to 2007. After three years, he has yet again dispensed another epic album.
Tonight is conceivably the best project TobyMac has made and that is saying a lot considering his past success. Tonight combines a beautiful mixture of rap, rock, latino, club, and reggae in array of songs that speaks to the heart. In the opening album track "Tonight" he and John Cooper of hard rock band Skillet make the decision once and for all, to give their lives up to Christ and live a new way realizing that their own ways have only caused them to be "locked up, held captive, and in the clutches of their own doubt." TobyMac
In an acoustic twist, TobyMac goes in a different direction on "Get Back Up". He conveys the struggle and nightmares that every single person has at more than one point in their life and how we start "Pulling away from the Love that would’ve been there and start believin’ that our situation’s unfair." He proceeds to say that in the midst of any situation we are in, God is panting for us to trust in His love. "Funky Jesus Music" is, put simply, a dance track. He shouts out all through the song how he cannot rest until he has the hip-hop, funky, soul Jesus music and that if you don't have it, he doesn't want it. This song could be easily be played at a wedding reception, in a dance routine, or just in your headphones as this club sounding song makes you want to move.
In his most successful single up to date, City On Our Knees (133,000 copies sold including 17,000 in the first week of its release), he describes a moment where every person in the world comes together and all of our differences and judgments fall by the wayside and love comes in and fills in the cracks and we all turn our vision to the One who unites us. Toby escapes his usual forté by using violins and piano in a unique transcendent blend. Toby remakes the song as well as putting the original successful radio version at the end of the album that was first released back in August 2009. It also was Grammy nominated for 2010 Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Song which brought his total up to 6 solo career Grammy nominations.
"ShowStopper" is a hype rock track that puts you in mind of songs from his first solo album Momentum while in "Changed Forever" he provides us with a 'Paul on The Damascus Road' scenario (Acts 9:3-19) of how he experiences God for the first time in the midst of his sin and blindness to Him. "Hold On" is smooth and comforting telling us as people to hold on to God just a bit longer and how our troubles are almost gone and that nothing in this world can stop His crazy crazy love (yes, TWO crazy's) from breaking through in your struggle.
On every studio album and remix album, Toby has featured his son, Truett, in a short interlude song. "LoudNClear" is by far the best song by his protegé. Tru-Dog, as he has been called, takes on a very solid hip hop beat that makes the bass system bang in cars. Although the lyrics are humorous, Truett shows his off swag as a hip-hop artist as he competes against a very special guest in a hip-hop battle whom he's very close to and that has not appeared on any of the previous Truett interludes.
"Hey Devil" is an upfront confrontation where a girl straight up disses the devil, and tells him he has no control over her while "Wonderin' " is a pop happy melody ballad written to the other two members of the former band DC Talk Michael Tait, who is now lead singer of long time band Newsboys, and Kevin Max. With help from Matthew Thiessen of alternative band Relient K, Toby renders his feelings on the three came together and made songs that God had put in their hearts and how they toured and made money, all in bringing glory to God and how they thought it would never end. Though it was sad when they eventually did split, the break up caused his personal dreams to open up and that although they have gone their own ways, the memories and influences of them will remain in his heart.
"Captured" tells how we can be gratefully trapped in God's plan and that the further we go in His plan, the more of Him we want where to the point where we don't want to go anywhere else. The guitar riffs and wailing of Toby's voice reminds the listener of his previous single Burn For You of the 'Welcome To Diverse City' project (released in 2004)."Start Somewhere" addresses when you and an ex-friend have been in a long-time fight where you both have done something wrong to each other and that if you want to make progress, one of them first must step up and extend love, admit they have done wrong, apologize, and ask for forgiveness. In this uptempo, big band, Latino track, Toby utilizes his brass options using trombones, saxophones, and trumpets that drive the melody to make this number feel confrontational and exciting.
TobyMac ends the album with a collaboration with the 3-time Grammy Award winner, praise and worship leading sensation, Israel Houghton in "Break Open The Sky" where they sing praises for Jesus' return to the earth. This is a pure reggae sound that makes you feel like your right in Jamaica as they shout to "turn off gravity so we can fly" to God so we can see our King. He brings back the trombone one more time while Ayiesha Woods to help the two sing a magnificent praise to Jesus.
The deluxe version of this album contains remixes of "Captured" , "Hold On", and "Tonight" along with two videos entitled "Making the Album 'Tonight' " and "From The Studio to The Stage."
Tonight has further more set Toby Mckeehan in as one of the top great Christian music legends of all time as every song comes with strong delivery and witty lyricism with a message that is clear, positive, hopeful, and realistic.
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