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Whispers
Thankful
(KINGDOM: US: 20 OCT 2009)

Producers:
Fred Hammond, Magic, Ralph Hawkins

Track Listing:
Walk With Me
Did You Know
Praise His Holy Name
One More Chance
For Thou Art With Me
Who Could It Be
We Need You
This Is How I Feel
In the Name of Jesus
Living Without You

Track Picks: Walk With Me, Thou Art With Me, Did You Know, One More Chance

The Whispers
Thankful

The gospel debut of beloved R&B quartet entertains new audience and teases longtime fans

With a career spanning almost five decades and a treasure chest of timeless hits including the #1 R&B hit singles “Rock Steady” and 1980's “And the Beat Goes On,” the Whispers - using their smooth and closely knitted quintet harmonies - have masterfully shrouded themselves with a type of musical energy that gives them their own distinction and glamour. It’s so easy to identify their cool sound. Even better is knowing that same slick R&B style has even inspired cool groups like Boyz II Men and Comissioned. When the Whispers announced their aspirations in recording their first gospel project - years well beyond their career’s luster - Fred Hammond quickly jumped to the occasion to help produce their effort. Hammond, a former member of Comissioned and a graduate from the Detroit contemporary gospel scene, ushers in his trademark bass-thumping urban beats into what is signature to the Whispers’ DNA makeup.

Thankful may be a gospel project, but it isn’t a detour from what we expect from the Whispers. Lead vocalists Wallace “Scotty” Scott and Walter Scott serenades songs like “For Thou Art With Me” and the Quiet Storm-bred “Did You Know” using the same excretion used on their late night workouts. “Walk with Me,” the album’s heaviest party starter, kicks off with Hammond’s familiar rhythms and a spicy chorus-vamp combination. It might have the energy and formula of a Frankie Beverly/Maze opener but it’s just right for the Whispers’ brand - channeling some of the gusto from 1990's “Innocent.” While not quite clumsy, Hammond doesn’t deliver the same consistence and commitment expected on his own works. He comes close though on “One More Chance;” a brilliant ballad that matches a grateful praise with a resounding message of forgiveness.

Not alone, Hammond is also surrounded by other producers including Magic (bandleader of funk/soul outfit Unified Tribe) and keyboardist Ralph Hawkins. Hawkins contributes the spunky, but soulfully-ordinary “In the Name of Jesus” while Magic’s contribution, “For Thou Art With Me” showcase much of what we expect to hear in modern midnight worship.

The ten-track offering feels good, but doesn’t feel complete in places. Much of the Whispers’ best stuff from the Solar catalog were uptempo firecrackers. Songs off of Thankful like “In the Name of Jesus” fit into most contemporary gospel layouts but doesn’t match the blazing nature of “Keep on Loving Me” or “And the Beat Goes On.” While remnants of slow jams like “Lady” and “In the Mood” can be traced in the album’s ballads and remain Thankful’s indelible glory, the evanescence of the upbeat, funky grooves ends much of the optimism for a balanced record. It’s great to hear the group tackle gospel. It surely made this reviewer more appreciative of their contribution to the world of music. But to better respect and value their presence, one must track back to their celestial back catalog or just grab a hold of a good “greatest hits” album. Then, you can be more appreciative of Thankful.