::ALBUM REVIEW::

Seemed like the young choirmaster was just starting to get the exposure and the respect he deserved for being an accomplished trendsetter in the contemporary gospel field. But an untimely death at the age of 34 following a brief episode of renal failure silenced his career and any possibilities of tapping into his full-blown potential. But a quick turn of success before his passing made O'landa Draper and his Memphis-grown aggregation a popular standard in gospel’s changing scene during the early 1990's. After a few albums on Word Records and collaborating with gospel legend Shirley Caesar, contemporary Christian icon Carman, renowned Broadway actress and soul singer Jennifer Holiday, while also recording and performing with Billy Joel during the 1994 GRAMMY Awards’ ceremony, Draper’s career took a turn for the better. Maybe the incredible list of accomplishments became the inspiration he needed for his Warner Alliance’ 1996 debut; the favorable, best-selling Gotta Feelin’. The album, loaded with an explosive set of traditional and contemporary batter producing goose bump-raising energy, features an incredible set of songs mostly penned by Draper and recorded live in Chicago. The project is strongly supported by an anchoring support team of musicians including Steve Bethany (guitar), DeRell Harris (piano, organ), Donald Hayes (sax), David Mason (drums) and Layathan Armor (synthesizer) from L.A. Mass Choir fame.

Opening the album is the praise-and-worship-friendly “Bless The Lord, O My Soul”, which lyrically parades around Psalm 103:1 and Psalm 34:2 along with a festive groove that finds the Associates’ harmonies in an exuberant spirit-filled form. The title track, a serious radio favorite, flames with contemporary R&B and a tint of hip-hop spice. And even without a lead vocalist, the song’s groove and infectious melody ultimately proved that choir music, when done right, could sail to the top. Most will remember towards the song’s closing featuring its familiar Brandy sample using the snazzy “yea-yea-yea-yea, yea-yea-yea-yea-yea” lyric. The deliciously, funk-injected “Sho' Do Love Ya” also works a sweat with its blazing instrumentation and the hearty vamp featuring split harmonic segments from the choir.

It is also important to highlight the fact that the 90's R&B sound is highly crammed into the album’s big ballads. “Gonna Sing Your Music”, penned by Laythan Armor and Nysa Larry, brings in a breezy, mellow sound reminiscent of Toni Tony, Tone’s California-styled R&B ballad “Whatever You Want”, but with a spry Quiet Storm tone. The song’s original vamp uses creative love-making remedies to God with its usages of gimmicky lyrics. After hearing the “do-re-ma-fa-so-la-te-do” scale, set to a seducing melody, and the first portion of the Lord’s Prayer being chatted in the same manner, the live audience abrupt with disbelief and abundant surprise. “Take My Yoke”, supported by Michael Hawkins convincing lead vocals, is a heartfelt ballad set to moving mature lyrics loaded with hope over life’s struggles.

Just because Draper gained a favorable fan base with Generation X’ers using his stylish mix of cool R&B and suave contemporary gospel, Traditional gospel lovers found a lot to waddle in with the inclusions of “His Blood Washes Me”, the Walter Hawkins-styled “He’s Faithful” and the up-tempo, churchy “I’ve Got A Reason” (also recorded by Hezekiah Walker’s choir). But it is the rousing, quick-paced “My Joy Cometh”, set by Betty Ann Hardrick’s convincing powerhouse vocals, that defines Draper’s amazing ability to transcend beyond his young supporters.

Overall, Gotta Feelin’ is a full-length adventure displaying Draper’s strong songwriting and dedicated worksmanship with his choir. While there have been very few musicians to reach a level of superior growth early in their career, O’landa Draper’s unfortunate passing ended most doubts if what his future would be like if he lived longer. Amazingly, Draper created a masterful work with Gotta Feelin’ and blessed him with one of the greatest rewards in gospel music’s vast index of exceptional albums. Gotta Feelin’ rose to #2 on the gospel charts and was also nominated for a 1997 GRAMMY Award for Best Gospel Album By A Choir or Chorus.