Dickson Guillaume and The New York State Haitian Interdenominational Mass Choir (Mighty God) - Reviews

Dickson Guillaume and The New York State Haitian Interdenominational Mass Choir
Mighty God

It has been said that an album title reflects not only the theme of its message, but also speaks volumes of the artist’s passion.

If this is the case, Dickson Guillaume and the New York State Haitian Interdenominational Mass Choir seem to have found the perfect title for their recent release, Mighty God. And it doesn’t

take long to be convinced. The foot stomping, 'thunder' clapping, get-up-and-dance celebration of praise is sure to have you instantly on your feet... and that’s just the first song ("We Give You Praise")! The remainder of the album is jammed-packed with an array of selections that encourage heartfelt worship, uplift the spirit, and ponder on life’s tough questions.

As a follow-up to their musically diverse debut album, God is Able, the New York State Haitian Interdenominational Mass Choir (N.Y.S.H.I.M.C.) chose to continue on this path by offering an even wider variety on their sophomore project. This eclectic compilation proves to be a success, allowing the listener to navigate through a broad range of musical styles while not distracting from the album’s powerful theme. The end result is a stunning collection that boasts sounds of contemporary Gospel, Haitian folklore, R&B, jazz, and much more. No surprise for a group renowned for their innovative blend of traditional and modern rhythms that embrace both the Haitian and American backgrounds represented in the choir.

The title track, "Mighty God" is a perfect example of the beauty of this musical and cultural merge. The song, one of the few bilingual pieces on the project, begins in Haitian Creole and ends in English. In between, however, we get to sample the distinct sounds of Gospel, Haitian, and jazz rhythms.

choir

Speaking of jazz, a song worth noting is the original piece "Mwen Pap Tounen Dèyè" (I Won’t Turn Back) written by Cherocky Toussaint. Performed with the vocal ensemble Voices of Inspiration, the composition offers a delightful, contemporary gospel jazz blend in Haitian Creole, a rare gem in this genre.

But no need to worry if you are not fluent in the language, as Guillaume’s clever musical arrangements on the few Haitian Creole pieces shine on their own. The remaining selections, such as "Let the Glory of the Lord", display the choir’s signature sound: deeply moving, abundantly vibrant, and brimming with inspiration. Similarly, the Choir’s harmonious fervor stands out in "Lord I Lift Your Name on High", a high-energy, compas-rhythm remake of the classic praise and worship favorite, filled with spicy island flavor.

Along with the masterful production on this album, perhaps the greatest treasure is found within the lyrics of several of the original compositions. "Jesus Calling" explores the inevitable dry seasons faced by those involved in ministry. The lyrics, both profound and thought provoking, delve into the hard questions:

"Where is the song you used to sing?
Where is the word you used to preach?
Where is the joy you had inside?
...I want to know how long this running from Christ is going to last?"

"Menm Si Dlo (Though the Tears)" speaks of the hope we can hold on to in those times:

"Though the mountains in my life seem high
I will serve you until I die
You will never give me more than I can bear
My life has changed
Since I placed all of my burdens in your hands"

Founded in 1990, the N.Y.S.H.I.M.C. was formed under the direction of Dickson Guillaume, a multi-talented songwriter, musician and singer whose vision was to bring together a choir formed of young people who were "on fire for the Lord and share a common cultural bond". Since then, the group has traveled across the country spreading the message of the Gospel through joyful expressions of praise and worship.

This album is yet another milestone in the choir’s journey, and an impressive testimony of their Mighty God.

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Producer: Dickson Guillaime album release date: Oct, 2005
Muzick Arts

— reviewed by Laurie Williams —