   |
|
   With the debut of Michael Brooks & Royal Priesthood, the fabled producer/songwriter has now also re-joined the ranks of artist. This new 22-member choir collective, birthed out of Brooks' Southfield, Michigan based Restoration Fellowship Church International, which he founded and began pastoring in 1997, focuses on praise and worship. Brooks' always-excellent, scripture-based songwriting abounds on the project. On the mid-tempo "I Say Thank You", with guest lead from Lisa Page-Brooks, the choir pours out their unadultered praise. "Nothing’s Too Hard For Him" is an infectious cut, with an urban appeal. Anchored by a driving track, the song features both Jay Brooks and Lavonia Ratliff, who ad lib their way throughout the jam. Royal Priesthood takes hold of "Great King" and fosters a simmering groove of praise. On the beat-heavy "I Am Encouraged", guitarist Joe Foster drops some choice riffs over the choir's intricate weave of the lyrical motifs on the chorus. On some cuts, there’s a definite throwback to that patented Witness vocal sound, albeit in a choir setting. For example, on "Words", the flowing verse and chorus are tightly arranged in harmonic settings, as the male lead vocalist butters the cut with a mix of wordless praise and echoes of the choir’s lines —"words that come from my heart of praise". Other songs to put a star beside are "High And Lifted Up" and "I Will Do What’s Right", with Latia Page on the mic. Michael Brooks' return to the artist fold with Royal Priesthood is a welcome one —and one that was long overdue.
Email This To A Friend Michael Brooks Music / Comin Atcha Music — reviewed by Gerard Bonner —
All content in GospelFlava © copyright 2004. No information to be reprinted or re-broadcast from this site without the expressed written consent of GospelFlava.com. All rights reserved. |
            
|