::ALBUM REVIEW::

Just when you think you know Deitrick Haddon, you begin to realize you don’t. The on-the-edge Detroit native mostly known for his breakthrough Tyscot album releases showcasing his contemporary gospel side and his alter ego urban/hip-hop sound on the Verity label has yet again challenged his climb up the gospel ladder with another dimension of musical innovation. This time around he goes where most gospel artists have yet yielded as of late; turning towards the popular trend of praise-and-worship music. But it’s not like Haddon is unknown for recording worship numbers - since he’s created a few rewarding numbers that exists in his earlier collection with the Voices of Unity like “This Is The Day” and “We Worship You,” but on Together In Worship Haddon attempts to throw in a bit of synergy into the mix by throwing in his charismatic songwriting into the elements of status quo worship. The end result is a mix bag of good impressions, big-name appearances, bad editing and undeveloped presentations.

Recorded live at the Without Walls International Church in Tampa, Bishop Randy White opens up the recording with a likable and quick introduction build with hype preparing listeners for the experience bound to come. The first track, “I Got A Praise,” is a nifty rendition of the popular congregational chorus normally used during fast, uptempo praise breaks. Haddon takes the original and dips it into a funky, upbeat jam that easily remind listeners of the cross-cultural style of Israel Houghton’s fashionable worship music. Haddon opens the song up with his radical vocals and sporadic worship leading and allows Sean Hardin, with his DeAndre Patterson-resembled sound, to finish out the closing segment; an attached vamp that almost feel like a separate song all together. The first half of the song works, but the closing minutes prolongs the song’s durability and gives enough motivation to speed forward to the next track. “Watch Me Praise Him” fairs better with its transparent influences of “Born To Hand Jive” taken from the Grease motion picture soundtrack. Damita Haddon’s irresistible vocals and the dazzling horn arrangement marks this cut as one of the enduring headlines of the project. Throughout the project - after filtering through much of the big dramatic worship leading and unfinished material - we run across Darwin Hobbs’ noteworthy appearance on the acoustic pop-flavored “He’s Able”; citing the reality of God’s provision for His flock through its powerful interpretation of Ephesians 3:20. His worship leading has definitely been unappreciated and overlooked by gospel listeners, but proves he’s well in his element on this track. The transition into slower-paced worship is well executed towards the mid-section of the disc with songs like the intimate “Take Rest In Me” and “You Are God”; which features independent pop/rock artist Javen. Even though the following cut, “We Cry Holy,” may be short in length and probably should have been introduced as a reprise using proper editing, it reveals a strong, passionate vocal and heartfelt worship leading from Voices of Unity member Jason Champion. Damita Haddon once again embraces the project on “It All Belongs To You.” Loaded with conventional pop hooks and a lingering melody, the song continues to showcase a deeper depth of Haddon’s songwriting abilities into various styles of contemporary Christian music.

Where Haddon lacks the most on the project is in the gospel arena. His attempts in pulling off the gospel material lacks the strength to grip listeners. “My Father’s House," featuring Shirley Murdock, rides on a contemporary gospel drive but feels incomplete in its stature and sounds very uncomfortable on the soulful diva. “We Worship You (Spirit & Truth)” merges pop and gospel together, but goes into irritable territory with guest William Murphy III screaming throughout the total track - by far the most aggrivating track on board. What seems to be a moment that may have worked better in its live setting fails to live up to its name on the "Praise Break (Momma's Got A Word)." Haddon calls Prophetess Joyce Haddon up to the stage after a shouting session and goes through the usual motions of overhyped charismatic devotion. It could have worked if there really was a special word delivered besides "a miracle is coming in seven days."

Far from being a balanced album and totally beyond repair, Together In Worship is still armed with impressive special guests and a few memorable cuts deserving attention from worship zealots. But don’t get too excited after looking at the surface of things. This is not the urban side of Deitrick Haddon and it’s not a gospel presentation either. While his attempts in throwing down worship music may be honest, there’s not enough convincement present to ground Haddon as a specialist in praise-and-worship. If there is ever to be another worship-oriented live recording from the urban kid, it may need to continue off on what he presented on records like Nu Hymns I & II or Chainbreaker.