GospelFlava.com - Reviews - Bishop Larry Trotter and Friends (That They May Be One)

Bishop Larry Trotter and Friends
That They May Be One

“And now I am no more in the world,
but these are in the world, and I come to thee.
Holy Father, keep through thine own name
those whom thou hast given me,
that they may be one, as we are.”
John 17:11

Tyscot Records has a reputation for diversity on both ends of the Gospel spectrum. On the one hand there’s the eclectic urban gifting of artists such as Righteous Riders (or Kinnection from back in the day), on the other, the various old-time congregational worship sets projects they’ve put out over the years.

That They May Be One (aka TAMBO) is definitely the latter and with Bishop Larry D. Trotter headlining the live album, plus numerous unheralded and prominent guest spots thoughout, it’s a sure-fire winner.

Joining the Chicago Bishop (from Sweet Holy Spirit Church) are Bishop Paul S. Morton, Pastor Clay Evans, Bishop Jesse Delano Ellis, Bishop Lester Williams, and several noted others. Choir master and rising producer VaShawn Mitchell joins with Rick Robinson, Willie Rogers, Vinnie Hunley and James Lott to ably handle production.

Hyper choir praise accompanied by island-tinged, chunky beats and synths intros the project on “Tehillah”, with Kaisha Trotter and Candace Hunley on lead mic. It’s the most contemporary of the album’s offerings.

Digging further into the track listing yields traditional gems, with “Praise & Worship” being a project highlight. The nine-minute medley includes portions of “Oh How I Love I Jesus” and “Kings & Kingdoms”, with Elder DeAndre Patteron as worship leader. The traditional groove orchestrated by music director Robinson combined with rhythmic handclaps are infectious.

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“Never Shall Forget”, lead poignantly by Bishop Morton and backed by the Sweet Holy Spirit Praise Team, merges into a welcome and uptempo reprise with Bishops Trotter and Ellis joining in the hands-up praise.

The last half of the album features songs where the congregation sings along. Trotter calls on childhood friends Pastor Phillip Sneed of Chicago and Pastor Gordon Humphrey Jr..

At age 76, Rev. Clay Evans can still bring it home with the best of them. He brings focus to the lyrics on the beloved church classic, “There Is Room At The Cross”.

Also catchy is "Church Medley" lead by Trotter, and "Move On Up A Little Higher" with Mother Betty Lester out in front. Both feature some of the swingingest and sweetest B3 organ you'd ever hope to hear (Brian Lofton, Vincent Hunley).

Fellowship Baptist, United Pentecostal, COGIC, Apostolic and Full Gospel Baptist and more, this is a simply glorious fifteen tracker of unity in worship. That All May Be One.

Producers: V. Mitchell, R. Robinson, W. Rogers, V. Hunley, J. Lott album release date: April 23, 2002
Tyscot Records

— reviewed by Stan North —