Soulful Start to 2015
Posted February 07, 2015
By ChristopherThiessen_NRT, Staff Reviewer
Let me start off by saying, I would not consider myself an active listener of modern R&B & Gospel music. It's very rare that I go and seek out new soulful Gospel music on my own, and so it is with fresh ears that I sat down to listen to Crystal Aikin's All I Need.
It's been just over seven years now since Aikin won BET's singing competition, Sunday Best, and six years since her last full release. Needless to say it's been a long wait for fans. Well I can tell you, after I heard Aikin's voice for the first time, I can be counted among those fans.
All I Need is a worshipful experience that glorifies God in a powerful way. The R&B expressions on this album are filled with enough soul to make the lowest of spirits filled with joy and adoration.
The lead single "So Amazing" and the unique smooth jazz voicings on "So Good" are pure songs of praise and thanksgiving. The former is highlighted by a vocal performance that will give you chills. Aikin seems to hit this place where her voice is so commanding and in control of the song, and yet is completely submitted to God, allowing Him to work through the song. I definitely felt God working and speaking through this collection of songs, whether it was the funky "I Won't Let You Go" or the prayerful "Mighty To Save." The lyrics are strong and focused directly on the Lord.
Another highlight of the album is Aikin's smooth rendition of the hymn "When We All Get To Heaven." Starting off simply with her voice and fingerstyle acoustic guitar, the song crescendos into a gospel choir climax that stirs up everything in me to worship my creator.
Closing Thoughts:
As an outsider to the Soul/Gospel genre, I truly enjoyed this album and have listened to it multiple times. The lyrics are strong, but stronger yet is Crystal Aikin's vocal power and control and her ability to lead listeners into the musical worship of our God. There were a few points of production issues in spots of the album (i.e. a bit of unnecessary overuse of auto-tune tools), but they really didn't distract from the soulful worship that Crystal Aikin will help lead many listeners into.
Song To Download Now:
"Mighty To Save" (Get it on iTunes here.)
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