::ALBUM REVIEW::

New Jersey-bred Lance Williams has been in silence from the recording scene for quite some time. He’s one of the areas most accomplished artists and even hosts an annual mega star-studded worship retreat featuring a host of gospel giants like Kim Burrell, Walter Hawkins and Richard Smallwood. From the annual event, many gather to sit at the feet of the great ones and are equipped on how the industry works and provides a deeper spiritual component for those unfamiliar to the principles of worship. Many stars have been made from Williams’ annual gatherings, but the question arises can he step out before today’s artists and earn a place in the big leagues of gospel’s finest. Answers to that question are finally unveiled in Lance Williams’ debut musical offering, I Live To Love You. The project is loaded with talent - just like Williams’ retreat. Appearances from Sheri Jones-Moffett (still riding on cloud nine from her stellar performance on the Tri-City Singers’ super hit “Encourage Yourself”), Jonathan Nelson and Nancey Jackson-Johnson are present, while an extraordinary A-list of highly recognized gospel producers including Cedric Thompson, James Perry and Danny Weatherspoon embark on a tedious assignment to help unearth Williams’ potential. The fourteen-track collection, mostly penned entirely by Williams, embodies urban worship and tender choral pop and stylistically falls between the lines of a Donald Lawrence and Richard Smallwood project.

Smallwood punctures throughout the Barry Williams arrangement of “Psalm 8.” Though colorful, the choral parts from True Worship are quite a challenge to learn and are wordy in most instances. And even though it is best to say this is not a praise team selection, it still has appealing factors and opens up the project with exceeding fanfare. “Another Chance” finds Williams working out the ad-lib drive while the groove, reminiscent of a Vashawn Mitchell uptempo selection, adds fervor to the lyrically-lacking component. Where the song lacks strength in its shortness of words, Williams makes up for his commanding presence on lead. Angelic worship surrounds milky ballads like “Awesome Presence” and the laid back “I Long To Worship You.” The breezy sounds of “Nobody Like You” possesses a Hillsong pop worship sound and a haunting piano/guitar arrangement that feels like an updated Bruce Hornsby “The Way It Is.” There’s a lot more heartfelt worship captured on I Live To Love You including Melissa Bell’s performance on David Frazier’s “Give Your Name Praise,” the Donald Lawrence-penned title track and the string-laden “Glory of the Lord.” Even though the latter overstays its visit and may be frustrating to some listeners, it still has effort and captures the live worship setting of most conventional worship albums.

Closing the album is the album’s strongest gem, “You’re Worthy;” containing a light calypso drive, juicy harmonies and a party-like melody that sticks. Cedric Thompson’s production lightens up the atmosphere with his engaging piano delivery and synth horns. Ian Johnson’s contributes lead vocals and rides the energetic vamp to the end.

It seems that while most gospel artists these days are deciding to indulge in the popular craze of worship music that they lose a bit of their identity in the mix. Lance Williams may be surrounded by gospel musicians and singers, but he’s a wise guy and chooses to ride the slow lane. The album is flavored in worship music and aims to target that audience, but it’s a neat starter for a debut; especially since no one knows for sure if worship music might lose some of its luster. I Live To Love You doesn’t fully define Williams as a worship artist; partially due to his gospel roots and some of the contemporary choral injections known in Donald Lawrence productions. Apart from the lack of gospel-oriented topics and the overabundance of slow worship tracks, I Live To Love You is a fine start for Lance Williams & True Worship and supplies a fine dose of well-crafted, easy-listening pleasure. Hopefully Williams will take a few creative risks on the next album and will try not to fall so easily into the worship mold - especially with all that gospel personnel surrounding his reputation.