::ALBUM REVIEW::

Jonathan Nelson arises to the occasion of presenting a package of delightful tunes that showcase a brilliancy of artistic value and heartfelt passion for worshipful tunes and progressive gospel. "Live In Baltimore: Everything You Are" (2002) is loaded with exquisite taste that stretches across the lines of possessing a classy choice of musicians (which include Tim Green, Dontae Winslow and Marvin Thompson of Mo' Horns) to power ballads that resembles the artforms of Donald Lawrence, Walter Hawkins and Thomas Whitfield. After a jazzed-up introduction filled with moving horns and organ whirls from Kenneth Shelton, "Right Place" kicks in with a firm, traditional bottom and mesmeric vocal deliveries from Purpose accented in the right places of the song. Marc Britt jumps in near the vamp to finish up the duties and compels listeners into a dazzling, churchy spell. Throughout the course of the album are riveting tunes dipped in a sweet, contemporary groove such as the mid-tempo "Everyday" (containing the neo-soulish effects of the Rhodes), "Up Up Away" and "Praise Him". "Worship Medley" contains two compositions from Nelson's pen, which include the moving "Bless His Name" and the stellar title track. Jonathan Nelson sings the opener of the cut, while Jason Nelson, his brother, finishes off the remainder of the song - marking this cut as being a significant and worthy piece to the project.

Most of the project is soaked in the slow-tempo department, but the flow of the songs are quite an experience. Take into consideration David Fraizer's "Change Will Come". The song opens with an artistic walkdown of baffling chords on the keyboard and then reveals the amazing Chrystal Rucker on lead vocals. The lyrical elegance of this tune is graced with enough scriptural encouragement and prophetic releases to lift any downtrodden soul as the song later unfolds with moving modulations on the vamp and beautiful choral deliveries. When the seven-minute song finally concludes, Rucker takes the audience into another unforgettable praise break on "Praise Unplugged". Hearing the selection of chord changes and the right breaks on this one is enough to hail this fast-tempo Pentecostal frenzy as one of Gospel music's finest. "Master's Touch" is another magical moment that will conjure the creative memories of a Rudolph Stanfield tune with its peaking notes, mesmeric artful lyrics and that oh-so-special "ohhh" phrasing towards the end.

But it's the driving forces on "I'm Healed", a funky jamfest filled with Mo' Horns signature moves and a contemporary choir spark, that will certainly be remembered from this collection of goodies. Nelson jumps in from the beginning with Kirk Franklin-styled exhortations (or wording out the lyrics), while Purpose develops character throughout the bulk of the cut. The song's rawness and Rhodes accents also gives this cut a special value over Donald Lawrence's recent remake (in which awarded him multiple honors at the 2006 Stellar Awards). But if you are looking for the original and more bounce and raw intensity, this one is sure to satisfy.

Nelson also revives "Manifest", in which was first introduced on Bishop T.D. Jakes & the Potter's House Mass Choir "A Wing and a Prayer". The song has is mostly smoothed out here, flows on a slower pace and contains a brilliant art of musical rendition from Justin Savage on keyboards, Justin Young on guitar and Jason Nelson on bass. John McClure jumps into the ring to provide quality ad-libs towards the vamp - making this version just as special as the former.

Probably one of the finer independent projects to be released during the early part of the 21st century, "Live In Baltimore: Everything You Are" captures the heart of progressive contemporary gospel music without shying from traditional values and foundations. It is a breath of fresh air, especially to those in need of something non-generic. Surely, this project is mostly a powerful testament of Jonathan Nelson's abilities to create wonderful music, but it also has a long-term significance that ultimately affects the future progression of gospel music. Great job indeed and executed at just the right time in history.