Tye Tribbett is an electrifying artist who graced churches, arenas, etc with his group Greater Anointing (GA) and his band Sound Check for many years. Seasons change, and with that Greater Anointing and Sound Check disbanded.

Tye went through a time of healing and restoration for a grave mistake that he made. He put out a solo album, Fresh, which was a studio album that was different from what was usually heard from his previous work. He now has a mostly new group of singers and a new band. This has been met with some reservation and even criticism from fans. This new group, however, has been going out with him on dates and they have proved that they are a force to be reckoned to with. With Tye as their leader, they are blessing many and gaining new fans. He decided he wanted to record a live album in both Florida and California.

They went out and did it and produced the new album, Greater Than. It's the same electrifying Tye with a fresh batch of high energy songs of praise, beautiful ballads, complex vocal arrangements and phenomenal musicianship.

 

"Nobody" gets things off to rousing start and lends itself to the tecno-styled "Everything." Anyone that has heard a Tye Tribbett song or has seen him live knows that he likes to take risks. He is one for innovation in Gospel music or going where no one will go. So what does he do this time? He borrows elements from George Harrison's "I've Got My Mind Set On You" for his song "Stayed On You." This is so Tye! It's topped with chants from him and the group, quirky synth playing and signature guitar work from Tyler Logan and Dai Mayazaki.

 

Tye has seemed to master the balance of innovation, some choreography and praise and worship. The words to "You Are Good" are just that, "You are good," but when it comes to worshipping God, sometimes only a few words are needed. The "Worship Medley" is a combination of modern worship songs "There is Nothing Like" and "Glory to God". You will be drawn in to sing parts like "I love You forever and we'll worship forever" because this is a powerful moment meant for the congregation, etc to join in. 

 

"Beauty for Ashes" is just a good Gospel song with great lyrics. This ballad features the soaring tenor vocals of Emory Diggs and this "brotha" can "sang." The songs takes an unexpected, but very beautiful turn. It turns into a pop ballad—almost like something that you would hear in a Tony award-winning Broadway play. It will be hard not to be moved to tears as Chelsea Balentine, Danielle Davis and Mumen Ngenge each sing a line dedicated to how God turned a detrimental situation into something of a masterpiece (beauty for ashes).

The singers are doing their goooood singing on "Better" which some call good "flat-footed sanging". It's not just that. The beginning of the song features a dope drum solo by Bernard "Tre" Lambert III and midway through the song it morphs into a ballad taken out of the catalog of Kirk Franklin. It says, "I may not be finished / but I'm getting better / Still may have some scars / But you make it better." They eventually go into the tag of "Better!" Church!  Only Tye Tribbett can incorporate various elements in a song without it sounding like chaos put to music. 

 

The title track will require multiple listens just to grasp the magnitude of the sheer skill of the singers. The way they modulate during the vamp is crazy and Zacardi Cortez and Tye stay with them every step of the way. "He Turned it" starts off as a dramatic number and quickly turns into all out shouting good time. This one has became a fan favorite during Tye's recent appearances and rightfully so. You have to see them perform it live especially to watch Tye, Jermaine Molly and Robert Rivera dance all over the stage oozing with joy. 

 

Tye is back with a sheer vengeance. It's all there. Jaw-dropping music and vocal arrangements. Powerful moments of praise and worship. Songs of not only encouragement, but ones that serve as soundtracks for ones next level in life. "Greater Than" is one of the best releases of 2013. 

Song to Download Now:
"Beauty For Ashes" (Get it on iTunes here.)