GospelFlava.com - Reviews

Virtue
Free

Longevity with girl groups is somewhat of an anomaly in music. Gospel is no different.

One’s head could literally spin with the coming, going and changing of the powerhouse groups of the

past and present. But through it all, the ladies of Virtue have transitioned and moved through changes with a grace that leaves no one wondering why they are the darlings of the industry.

Still standing are sisters Ebony, Karima and Heather and on Free, the group’s fourth outing on Verity Records, they do nothing short of triumph.

A list of A-Team producers brings us to what will soon be known as “next level” Virtue. A youthful but also mature sound Free ingeniously brings the most out vocally, and reaches higher heights on the spiritual monitor.

J. Moss writes and along with Paul Allen produces on “You’ll Win if You Try” with a clean sound that presents less of the track-oriented sound you may be used to from PAJAM. “Thankful”, also PAJAM produced, steps up the tempo a bit and showcases some nice vocal work by Virtue. “He’s Able” serves up some vintage PAJAM for those who prefer that.

Free

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Title track “Free” brings the ladies to the writing table along with Joey Kibble, Montrel Darrett and Otto Price. Staying in the mode of spectacular production, Shamora Crawford and company deliver “Only God’s In This”, a contemporary gospel anthem that fades all the materialism in our mainstream counterparts’ music.

The praise party continues with “Healin’” from Richard “Younglord” Frierson and Ryan Leslie. The pair pulls from their collective production experiences with New Edition, Beyonc&#eacute; and Faith Evans, orchestraging a bassline thump that moves right on through to “Jesus Paid the Ransom”. Both are danceable —even dance inspiring tracks leave no mystery that Jesus is the focus.

Alex “Asaph” Ward wins the prize though on “Lord, I Lift My Hands” as he takes it straight to worship. Pushing the group vocally, he also, as one would expect, has the instrumentation on lock. Ebony, Heather and Karima showcase both the similarities and tonal differences in each of their voices. No doubt the ‘repeat track’ on this project, Ward manages to bottle his trademark

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complex instrumentation and present it as simple. If you listen closely you’ll find it’s anything but. David Blakely on organ, Jonathan Dubose, Jr. on guitar and Joel Smith on bass doing their own worship seal the deal.

Recognizing their influence on the young girls in their audience, Virtue takes some time to encourage on “You Just Be You”. Co-writing with Joey Kibble and David Das “You Just Be You” adds an acoustic sound to the mix. Paul Jackson, Jr. guides things through on guitar. There's a funky remix as a bonus track.

There is no isolated star here a la Beyoncé or Diana Ross. Everyone here pulls their own weight and holds their own, to provide a delightful mix of personalities and sounds. Partnering up with the right sound architects proves to be positively critical for Virtue.

Women in business and industry are familiar with the glass ceiling. For Virtue, sweet harmonies along with hearts pure and Free, will surely propel them right on through.

Producers: Various album release date: August 19, 2003
Verity Records

— reviewed by Melanie Clark —