Various Artists M2K Gospel 2000 - Double CD & Video
Throughout the ‘90s, no two labels have had a greater impact on Gospel music
than Gospo Centric Records and B-Rite Music.
The labels that brought us Kirk Franklin, Tri-City Singers, and
Trin-I-tee 5:7 have joined forces for the first time
to bring the world a compilation
project titled M2K Gospel 2000. That's 'M' as in 'music', and this
double CD combines 22 of the greatest songs from the history of
the sister labels.
The first CD puts the beam on contemporary, and features perennial
favorites including the "Stomp" remix, "God’s Grace" (Trin-I-Tee 5:7)
and "Revolution" from Kirk's Nu Nation, compliments of production maestro, Rodney Jerkins.
The archives were also mined, to include tracks on
this CD such as "Power of God" from Stephanie
Mills, "The Lord Strong and Mighty" (Kurt Carr Singers), and
the remix to "Silver and Gold" from Kirk's Christmas album.
In addition, the project features very recent hit tracks,
including "I’ll Be Good" (Gospel Gangstaz), the very reggae "Be
Connected" (from Rev. Jackie McCullough's project) and "Oh, Lord
Have Mercy" from The McClurkin Project.
An added feature, and a
definite winner, is the inclusion of an
extended version of "My Desire", featuring Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond and
Nu Nation. (The only stuff really missing is a contribution from
Lamore, which would have rounded out the collection nicely). This contemporary compilation is definitely a winner
and warrants much attention from any urban music lover. Yeah, you probably have 'em already, but
it's a nice value pack to have them compiled like this.
There's more. The M2K Gospel 2000 compilation project continues with a
traditional offering on disc 2. This CD features several favorites
such as "Marvelous" (Walter Hawkins), "For Every Mountain" (Kurt
Carr Singers), and the obvious "Shabach" (Byron Cage with the Full
Gospel Baptist Fellowship Mass Choir). The compilation also reaches
into the rich Gospo Centric library with classics such as
"Do Not Pass Me By" (Lawrence Matthews), "I'm Grateful" (Full
Gospel Baptist Fellowship Mass Choir), and "Eagles Wings" by one of the label's
very first signees, Betty Griffin-Keller.
The album also features offerings from new label members
including "Just a Closer Walk With Thee" (Bobby Jones with Maya Angelou)
and "Keepin' Me Alive" from Bishop Paul S. Morton.
This traditional
CD is a Sunday morning winner.
The M2K Gospel 2000 concept extends into the video arena as well.
Available separately, the 60-minute video features 10 video cuts of the
labels' most well-known offerings.
The diversity of the video is its strong suit, as it
contains a mix of five concept videos and five live videos.
From the concept side of the project, featured videos include the renowned
"Stomp" and "Revolution", "God's Grace", the mega-cameo'd "I'll Be Good" from the GGs,
and the newest video, "Put Your Hands", from Trin-I-tee 5:7's sophomore project.
Interwoven seamlessly are live
offerings such as "Shabach" (Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship Mass Choir),
"Marvelous", "For Every Mountain" and "The Lord Strong and Mighty".
The only downer to the project is the closing video from the
Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship Mass Choir, "Bow Down".
While the song itself is worship-filled and awesome, poor camera work
and inconsistent visuals make the entire experience more confusing than
enjoyable. Nonetheless, the video set as a whole is strong.
As the first collaboration between
Gospo Centric Records and B-Rite Music in the two labels'
storied
histories, the M2K Gospel 2000 project is slickly
assembled, and makes us look forward to
a possible sequel. Highly recommended!
Producers: Various
album release date: January 25, 2000 Gospo Centric / B-Rite
—
reviewed by Gerard Bonner —
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