::ALBUM REVIEW::

Known for their charismatic performances and signature vibrato-tinged choral showcasing, Ricky Dillard and New G (New Generation Chorale) continues to pump out their brand of Chicago-flared gospel music years after their 1989 debut on the Muscle Shoals label. The journey from a mix of traditional offerings (A Holy Ghost Takeover, Unplugged: The Way Church Used To Be) to more experimental collections (Worked It Out, No Limit) have eluded the group from any sign of extinction - even in the midst of a shortage of dominant big releases from gospel choirs. With six albums already under their radar, the choir of fierce energy pulls out 7th Episode: Live In Toronto; their debut on Alliant Music/NuSpring and another first from Dillard’s newly developed Animated Entertainment imprint. Returning band members Michael Taylor, Derrick Hearne and Joey Woolfork bring about the album’s rich flavor while big responsibilities hang on emerging songwriters including Darnell Davis and Dennis Reed to pen most of the album. And to embattle the more popular migrations of gospel groups experimenting with modern R&B, pop and Contemporary Christian music, Dillard safely experiments with these styles with hopes to stay fresh in the midst of new gospel releases and hopefully open them to newer audiences.

From a point-of-view of a traditional gospel purist, 7th Episode is charmed with lots and lots of old school flavor. The radio-ready single,“The Light,” features head-bobbing sprinkles of 70s funk and wise doses of classic gospel stimulation. “Search Me Lord,” a rendition to the Charles Nicks hit, is spruced with a visible New Orleans jazz arrangement while continuing in the favored hand-clapping, foot-stomping tradition. The epic ballad “Stretch Out Your Hand,” eloquently penned by Davis, finds New G alum Robin Convington-Vanarsdale delightfully blessing a Thomas Whitfield-like hymn and probably comes off as the most passionate of all assembled tracks. Then there’s Dillard’s “Bless His Holy Name;” armed with combinations of traditional and contemporary gospel marinades and juiced up with big robust harmonies.

New G’s performance on Dennis Reed’s “Grateful” is 7th Episode’s biggest reward; soaring with Jonathan Nelson/Donald Lawrence rhythmic styling and extremely ready for gospel radio. And while fans will love the busy, perky reworking of Eric McDaniel’s “One More Chance” (featuring Lillian Lloyd’s detailed evangelistic ad-libs), some may find the closing segment a bit irritable. Maybe if it was a little more sensitive to the sinners and the saints’ ears, it wouldn’t feel so bad. Overall, it’s a big performance cut and should satisfy the curious at heart, even if it needs to be relocated to a Broadway production. Other highlights include the studio inclusion of a house/dance-tinged “Just Start Shouting” and Redd’s “Awesome God.”

Choral ballads, though very few, are also welcomed with the inclusions of Dennis Reed’s “Holy Spirit” and “That Name;” another stellar contribution from Darnell Davis. Only big opposition on the latter cut is how the awkward fade-out disables all expectations for the perfect finale’ - just when the song was getting tasty. “Our Father You Are Holy” is a nice, pleasant simple worship chorus that strikingly works as a wise song of transition from the meatier gospel cuts. The song flows into a series of modulations and features energetic ad-libs from Andre Crittenden, Sherron Davis and Elisha Harris.

Mixed interpretations develop when one truly searches through the material and performances offered here. The choral overdoses of big vibrato and even Nikki Ross’ melisma rages on “I Surrender All” tend to be a bit scary at times. And even Dillard’s decision to jump into Christian pop (without a sign of New G’s vibrato) on the closing “Thou Art My God” should feel awkward to New G followers. While expectations are high, heed the warning that this album shouldn’t be so easily compared to Dillard’s more balanced offerings like No Limit or Holy Ghost Takeover. But throughout the musical experiments and the shock value of the in-your-face performances, 7th Episode is still a delightful and entertaining disc and comes with more reward than most choir offerings of today.