Search - Voices of Unity :: All Star Edition

This album is tight.

Danny | Charlotte, NC | 06/26/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you like the song V.I.C.T.O.R.Y. from their last album, you'll love this album cause it has more songs with that fun urban contemporary sound. I like the song "Who Is It" cause it makes you think about what's keeping your distance from God, whether it's people, TV, lack of prayer, whatever. I also like "Are You Ready". This is a fun song to get you to praise Him with Deitrick and Damita singing.I would like to hear them sing "We Invite You In" live, cause that song can definitely lead you into worship.I also like "My Soul Say Yes" lead by Damita, that one takes you to church, particularly at the end.I like the slower grooves on here, too, such as "Wonderful Change" reminds me of how much God has changed me. Then I like the song "Encourage Yourself" with lead vocals Vanessa Bell Armstrong and her daughter Melody, which surprised me cause I wasn't expecting Vanessa to be on here.One of the reasons why I like this album cause it has Deitrick Haddon and Damita singing on it. So if you likes Deitrick's album you'll definitely like this too. Deitrick produced this album.Another thing I like about the CD is that it has a music video on the CD, playing a song that's not on the CD featuring the Righteous Riders, which surprised me, again, cause I like the Righteous Riders."

Tight

friedchicken | MI | 06/16/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you like the sound of r&b/gospel, but are tired of albums that lack annointed or meaningful lyrics, this is an album for you.



V.O.U. manages to mix crisp, funky and bangin beats together with smooth, clear and tight vocals. The result is an album where the rhythms and beats don't overpower the vocals, or the other way around. Perfectly done. You WILL nod your head and do some 'chair-dancing' with this one.



1. Are You Ready- This song sets the tone for the album with a tight beat laced with speaker bumping bass drum hits. Deitrick Haddon and his wife Damita do the leads, and hit it perfectly. A few very nicely done hooks and smooth background vocals from V.O.U. are done flawlessly. Also the raps in this one are some of the best I've heard on any gospel album. The guy sounds a little like 50 cent, but the lyrics have meaning. The song is about hyping up giving God praise.



2. Who Is It- If you liked the previous song, you'll like this one too. More tight beats, hooks, a nicely done rap, with rhythmic vocals. This one is basically gets you thinking about what is standing in the way of you and a relationship with God. Tight, yet meaningful.



3. Standing in the Need of Prayer- I must admit I haven't listened to this one much. A nice slow song featuring nice leads and a simple but meaningful chorus. This one is a little more traditional than the rest of the songs on the album, except the other slow songs. Can speak to someone's situation.



4. My Soul Say Yes- This one will make you move! A simple and easy to catch on to praise team type song with almost a Jamaican feel to the music and arrangement. A lot of praise teams will be learning this one. Damita on vocals gives it a lot of excitement as well as the choruses.



5. We Invite You In- I've listened to this one even less than number 3. (listening to it now.....) Ok, its a worship song. Simple chorus, simple music, great lead vocals ad-libbing. A nice worship song for a praise team. Everything flows.



6. I Can't Praise You Enough - The first thing you'll notice is the funky looped bass line, which doesn't overpower anyhing and is the musical center of this song. Tight, funky, powerful. How can something this funky be such a meaningful song??? They do it though, as this one is all about the sacrifice and willingness of praise. Silky smooth chorus, with Deitrick tearing it up on lead. Laid back track.



7. I Will Bless - Another praise team type song. Reminds me of a song on another album 'Is There Anybody Here'. Great music backs up the rhythmic lead and tight chorus. The vamp gets you moving. Brassy song that will be easy for bands to learn.



8. Wonderful Change - My favorite song on this album! Real laid back, SO smooth. The music is almost Dru Hill like (yeah, I wasn't saved all my life!), and the lead is so nice. Chorus and vamp is irresistably smooth. Talks about the change after God has come in to your life.



9. Encourage Yourself - Uhm...this is my favorite song, too...So what if I have more than one! I love what this song is about. ANYONE will feel better about things after they listen to this one. Tight 'hooky' beat, appropriate leads (her voice is so smooth-its Vanessa Bell Armstrong's daughter), tight chorus, and the tightest rap on the album. Oh and Vanessa shows up at the end and puts it on fire. I just wish I could more of her on this one. So tight!



10. Jesus Is a Rock - Yup, they redid this one, and put a (dare I say it again) smooth spin on it. Laid back arrangement to a traditional strengthening song. Nice lead vocals quoting bible verses and really lets you know Jesus IS a rock. Backups are smooth and flowy, you will play this one whenever you are having a rough day. Smooth...



11. Jesus Our Lord - Maybe the only song that I don't like. Actually, I just don't like it as well as the other slow songs on the album. It has an airy feel, but its done well. I feel more could have been done with the music during the vamp, but that is the ONLY thing that keeps this song off the 'repeat' list. You all will probably like this song anyway, though.



12. When God - I LOVE the intro to this song, I feel they could have made an even tighter song just using the first 12 or so measures. But what we get is tight enough to make you LOVE it. Funky lead, V.O.U. chiming in with a smooth and uplifting chorus and hook, a rap that will make you smile, and a vamp that will definately change your mood for the better. The message and the music come together so perfectly here. When God gets through with us, we will come forth as pure gold, just like this album.



Final word, SMOOTH. I must have typed that word over ten times, because its simply the truth. This WHOLE album is awesome. The mixing of beats and vocals is done perfectly, nothing overpowers. Simple, yet addictive rhythms. Smooth vocals. PERFECT!!! You will not be dissappointed."