::ALBUM REVIEW::

Emerging gospel sensation Jonathan Nelson embarks on an interesting chapter in his fairly new musical career. Once considered to be a buzz for his remarkably groundbreaking independent project Everything You Are released in 2002, Nelson has come full-circle with his fortunate hit-making singles for popular artists including Donald Lawrence, Youthful Praise, T.D. Jakes and, most recently, Youth For Christ, with the radio favorite “The Struggle Is Over.” Now the Baltimore native finds his newly-released second project, Right Now Praise, being anchored by the mighty powers of praise-and-worship empire Integrity Music. And his signature sound, style and unique brush of realistic/believable production upon live-recorded material, first introduced on his 2002 debut project, resurfaces here once again. So even with a big label helping to greatly expose the newcomer to the nations, Nelson doesn’t loose sight of his original foundation and gospel roots. Recorded at Empowerment Temple AME Church in his hometown, the project adorns the auspicious grace of well-rounded and well-capable musicians including returning music director Justin Salvage, Kenneth Shelton and veteran acoustic guitarist Joey Woolfark

Beginning the set is the charging “Champions” set to a Myron Butler-like funky/brassy arrangement. The lyrical organization for the most part is maturely developed and is anchored by the supporting background singers of Purpose while Nelson steers the song into the fast lane using his dominant worship leader capabilities. Even though the opening cut has its likeable features, it’s far from comparable on what’s to come. “My Name Is Victory,” using some traces of his hit “Healed,” is highly groove-driven and even shies away from the usual, conventional gospel dynamics. When the group leaps out of the unison-sung verse and sweetly glides into the short chorus (“Oh-o-o-o-o-ohh, my name is victory”), you can hear the ingenious and creative songwriting characteristics shoot out of this simmering bowl of contemporary gospel. Worship ballads - evidently his strongest craft - are definitely the meat of the project and are impossible to miss. “Drench My Heart” is gorgeously executed and feels almost like a Richard Smallwood incarnation, but done with a more Integrity worship flair. The harmonies are glistening on the opening segment and later enjoys a sweet calming of heartfelt intimacy towards the end. Contributing worship leads from Purpose members help send the song into a thunderous and well-received reprise. The title cut, first introduced on Mark S. Hubbard’s overlooked Blessin’ Waiting On Me project, finds Jason Nelson - a jazzier version of Marvin Sapp - dueting with his brother on a friendly pop-gospel arrangement. After filtering through the not-so-surprising reworking of the Larry Trotter mid-tempo cut “Bettah” and the juicy, churchy zeal of “Yes Out There” (featuring Sheri Jones-Moffett), the album shifts back into worship mode.

On the second half of the disc, Nelson is strongly upstaged by a host of special guest cameos from Yolanda Sha’ Simpson, Nikki Ross, William Murphy and Chrystal Rucker. And while Nelson is mostly comfortable resting in the songwriter’s seat and still is the maestro behind all of the ear-candy, the shifting of the many lead vocalists sends off an alarm for listeners hungry for more of Nelson’s out-front direction - since it is his project. By the way, it’s not like the other artists are doing a bad job in their performances - especially since we are dealing with veteran artists like Simpson and Murphy. Unfortunately it doesn’t feel like Nelson’s project from this point on. The big performances and big names almost overshadow any of Nelson’s closing appearances. In the midst of all of the big cameos, the inclusion of Chris Tomlin’s “How Great Is Our God” into a medley of Nelson’s originals like “Only You” is well executed.

There’s not much to pout out about on Right Now Praise - even though the big high-energy of “Already Mine” and the bonus cut, “Healed,” featuring “all-over-the-world” melismas from Nikki Ross are a bit too much for any Integrity project. But it is possible to address Nelson’s mediocrity as a frontman. Nelson, alike most choir directors and today’s worship leaders, is more of a songleader then a lead vocalist, and even though he has extensively matured vocally from his debut project, he still comes off as timid when he propels into spoken-word segments and decides to talk more during the songs rather than humming notes (a la Donald Lawrence, Byron Cage, etc.) But the rich and gorgeous affection of Nelson’s latest compositions and the creamy choral tone of Purpose are perfect medical injections for today’s gospel music. It’s a definite turn back to the glorious days of ole - filled with mature vocals, dignified presentation and strongly engineered content but with a modern, progressive twist of pop and church-engaging worship.