::ALBUM REVIEW::

Brooklyn, New York is home to some of the most proficient and creative forces of traditional and contemporary gospel - including Butch Heyward, Melvin Crispell, Benny Cummings, Hezekiah Walker, Rev. Timothy Wright and James Hall. It is no surprise that IMOK Gospel, one of the most talked about indie labels in the country, emerges out of the same location. Boasting a fast-growing line-up including the Voices of Promise, songwriting legend Butch Heyward, Jason Hendrickson and recently-signed Melvin Crispell & Testimony, the young label is ready and prepared to release the debut project of Angela Hall. Her previous credits are slim to the masses (besides her work on Broadway in the Tony Award-winning play Black and Blue for two years), even though she penned the title cut to Awesome; the Voices of Promise’ debut album. But her vocals, at best, is as joyful in expression as Judy McAllister and as adventurous in riffs as Melba Moore. Being a virtual unknown to many outside the Brooklyn area has to be a daunting task for the underground singer, but she is carefully surrounded by a supportive staff of musicians and skillful team players that enlists the talent of Martin Christie (keys), Justin Cunningham (bass), Butch Heyward (organ), Eddie Heyward (drums) and Mo’ Horns. Melvin Crispell and Jonathan Hall (Angela’s brother and album producer) places the final keyboard overdubbs on the final mix. With an exhaustive nineteen tracks assembled on Beautiful God, the album walks in and out of studio and live presentations (taped at Mt. Moriah AME Church) while inserting album filler reprises after the bigger cuts.

Beautiful God does offer up the trademark Brooklyn style of hearty comprehensive contemporary gospel, filled with fancy chord changes and funky repetitive phrasing, like on Butch Heyward’s disco-soaked “None Like Him” and the jazzy beaut “I’ve Got Joy.” The latter, penned by Melvin Crispell, finds Hall delivering bold vocal executions on top of a strong rhythmic arrangement that isn’t over-the-top nor too dry for gospel enthusiasts. With its delightful chorus ringing out the church classic “This Joy That I Have” and an exhilarating horn arrangement, the song is definitely an album sparkler. A tagged reprise, adding more enjoyment to the festive vamp, showcases the strengths of the musicianship. But throughout the long list of tracks, there’s much more to discover musically as Hall renders her voice to pop worship (“Beautiful God,’ “Jesus Saves, Sets Free”), salsa praise (“Glorify His Name”), drum-programmed urban R&B (“I Found a Friend”) and traditional soul gospel (‘Yes Lord,” “Trust Him,” “The Victory Medley”). Hall even offers a spine-tingling performance, full of robust power, on the traditional classic “Pilgrim of Sorrow.”

Crispell contributes another rewarding offering; once again delivering the goods with his melodic and accessible arrangements on the seven-minute “No Other Name.” The background harmonies and cool jazz-influenced sound places Hall in the comforting territory of mellow ballads that snuggles easily upon Daryl Coley and Tunesha Crispell. There’s a laid back soothing nature that stories over most of the track, but later entering into Sunday morning mode with its unapologetic preachy lyrics and fiery deliveries. The song overstays its visit and parades in the thickness of the vamp way too long, but the cut does reveal another compositional triumph for Crispell and a rewarding vocal filled with moods ranging from sweet to vim.

The biggest distraction of the disc may be the super playlist; possibly maxing out the eighty-minute limit of the standard compact disc. That’s just a bit much to digest, especially during one long-playing listen. Then you may have to watch out for Hall’s boisterous high register; rivaling the big shouting matches of Jennifer Hudson or Patti LaBelle. Sometimes she even settles on the high notes for lengthy period of times. She surely can blow - no doubt about that. But the gifted singer gets heavily dramatic with the shouting and tends to exert an overabundance of heavy charisma and passion than expected. Still, Beautiful God is a colorful portrait of Brooklyn’s rich gospel culture and an enjoyable musical experience done with taste and high-definition color; even if you have to consume it in small portions.