To say that Jon Gibson sings soulfully isn’t really grasping the essence of the veteran artist. Jon Gibson is soulful to his core, and it just comes out in his singing.

After a brief stay-over with B-Rite, Gibson has regrouped and emerged on his own Imagery Records label with an appealing project that captures the totality of what has always been so grabbing about this unique and well-loved singer —one-of-a-kind deep soul vocals fused to unforgettable melodies and lyrical insight into the heart of vertical worship and relationship with Jesus Christ.

On Soulful Hymns, Gibson joins forces with the vastly under-rated Bernard Wright to deliver a stunning kaleidoscopic of very familiar praise songs and choruses, each completely re-worked with a fresh anointing. Wright’s honest, jazzy arrangements distinguish the album.

Gibson starts off by slinging a reggae harness around the praise workhorse “Awesome God” and riding it till fade at four and half minutes. The interpretation works so well because it stays true to the power and the intent of the song while putting it into a completely different context. Jackie Bertone’s percussion (shakers, tambourine, wood blocks) adds extra intensity to the cut.

Indeed, Gibson finds that elusive balance between respecting the original while daring to enter into new praise territory, and stays there through much of the album’s ten tracks.

“Give Thanks” and “What A Friend We Have In Jesus” are given the old-school soul touch, with Gibson’s patented vocal inflections and Gannin Arnold’s guitar embellishments. Then “Give Thanks” reappears at the close of the project, this time as with a spicier more rhythmic mix (“Baby Love Groove Mix”) in tribute to Gospel radio announcer Walt “Baby” Love.

Interview with Jon Gibson

"Bernard Wright just came to me one day, out of the blue, with a van full of incredible musicians. He said that he was on a mission to share the importance of praise music with me. Bernard, being street wise, could tell just by listening to my records over the years that I didn't have the privilege of growing up in the church..." See full interview with Jon Gibson.

“Amazing Grace” comes with pizzazz courtesy Gibson’s scat flourishes as he lets the gloriously deep lyrics of the classic hymn melt into wordless wonderment. Bill Esses’ steady drum support add groove to the cut.

Gibson adds one of his own originals to the album, titled “On Calvary”. Starting with simple vocals and piano, the song is a vertical praise addressing the greatness and mercy of God. In someone else’s hands the song would be in a folk vein, but with Gibson’s treatment (rich vocals and rising chord changes) and with Juan Carlos Quintero’s acoustic guitar, the tenderness of the composition finds its home in soft melodic soul.

Vocalist Sandra Stevens joins in with Gibson on “Glory To Your Name”. Her husky jazz tones make for a memorable contrast with Gibson’s smoother flow. The vocal interplay between the two makes the song gel amidst synths, guitars and exotic percussion.

Jon Gibson has done it again, cementing his reputation for being one of Gospel’s finest artists, both in terms of ministry and musicality.