::ALBUM REVIEW::

The art of jazz legend Ramsey Lewis traces its connections to bop-oriented jazz and pop, but easily show his gospel roots and classical training. His work in the 1960s on albums like The In Crowd made history for bringing the piano to the forefront in traditional jazz setups. Since then, his music has been layered with a gloss of easy-listening pop and has recorded an impressive eighty-plus albums throughout his career.

Referred by many critics as being “the great performer”, Lewis celebrates his gospel roots on With One Voice - a full-length album recorded live at his sister’s home church in Chicago during the festivities of the Ravinia Jazz Festival. The album features stunning piano performances from the gifted extra ordinaire and carefully flows in and out of mellow jazz interpretations, classical-tinged renderings and big gospel showcases in both traditional and contemporary camps. And with familiar gospel musicians such as Kevin Randolph (keys) and Maurice Fitzgerald (bass) in the mix, along with exceptional musical enhancements from a live horn players and - on some cuts - Larry Gray’s delivering his killer bass, the album is set up with resounding possibilities of delight. Things open up brightly with a six-minute moving rendition of Edwin Hawkins’ “Oh, Happy Day” - exalted with spirited harmonies from the J.W. James Memorial AME Church Combined Choir. Even though this is not the first time “Oh, Happy Day” has been interpreted by jazz maestros, Lewis merges contemporary jazz into his untouchable style of classic jazz. “Sunday Strut”, fueled by his sassy bluesy rhythm, gels easily into the set and finds an enthusiastic crowd clapping alongside its joyful groove. It’s a joy hearing Lewis breathe a meaty acoustic piano flavor into the familiar gospel anthem “Bless Me (Prayer of Jabez).” Penned by Donald Lawrence and gospel mogul Andrae’ Crouch, the song features a thunderous piano introduction from Lewis and gently glides into familiar territory with Lawrence hosting as the guest choral director. “Pass Me Not” features an old-time Southern gospel swing on its opening, but bubbles over with a fantastic, perky, up-tempo arrangement from session organist and Chicago native William Kilgore. When the vamp finally enters in, there’s a quick flashback added in featuring a phrase out of “I Need Your Spirit” - taken from one of the Edwin Hawkins seminar recordings. Clearly the song is one of the album’s upbeat achievements, but there’s plenty to indulge in - and depending on the listener’s taste buds - With One Voice is bound to cover most everyday moods while satisfying both gospel and jazz areas. “Trees” is a relaxed jazz souvenir and bordered with Gray’s deep bass grooves and Leon Joyce, Jr’s laid back rhythms. It’s hard to even imagine such a classic performance like this being recorded live. On “Keep The Spirit”, Lewis walks on a light reggae groove and blends breezy R&B sounds into the heart of the rhythm. “God Can Work It Out” unearths a contemporary gospel funk session with Smokie Norful’s lead vocals and a joyful mass choir features from the background choir. Norful can be a bit agitating on the ear due to a few rusty notes and barely shifting out of his original octave. Maybe he wasn’t in rare form that evening, but the song still bubbles with excitement and gets the point across. On “Healed Heart” - the last vocal track of the album - the Darius Brooks composition delights with its encouraging lyrics and journeys into deeper ministry for the soul - something we expect from Brooks’ mature writing. While the song bears a similar magic that flows like most big Disney theme songs or pop-oriented message songs like “We Are The World”, the song is far from being corny and generic. Brooks provides a solid vocal alongside Lewis’ warm Steinway concert piano and moving background vocals from the session singers.

From reading the linear notes, it’s easy to suggest that Lewis, being the busy man he is, had a hard time getting around into doing a gospel project. But the efforts on With One Voice are genuine and are documented with superior execution using brilliant musicianship, defined production and a an accessible set of music complimenting Lewis’ musical background. And while there are a few good gospel jazz albums from Jonathan Butler, Kirk Whalum, Take 6 and Tyrone Birkett making impressive circulations within the gospel arena, it’s best to add Ramsey Lewis’ With One Voice to the list.