::ALBUM REVIEW::

The secret to the Winans success obviously was credited to their timing and mature songwriting. After being introduced to Andrae’ Crouch, the contemporary gospel group jumped on the music scene with their well-received Light Records’ debut, Introducing The Winans, in 1981. Their impact on the industry was immediate from the beginning and afforded them many opportunities during their career including working with music mogul/producer Quincy Jones, signing with Jones’ Quest Records, recording with R&B/jazz sensation Anita Baker on the Grammy-winning single “Ain’t No Need To Worry” and earning production work both from Teddy Riley and R. Kelly while crossing over several times on the R&B charts. Before their departure from Light Records to sign with Quincy Jones label, The Winans recorded one of their cohesive adventurous sets ever released - Tomorrow. Cracking into gospel’s top ten at number three, Tomorrow, produced by Bill Maxwell, is a diverse collection of mature, Detroit-styled contemporary gospel showcasing their consistent style of songwriting and hearty vocal harmonies.

Starting the project off right is the bouncy “Secret Place” - an upbeat, feel-good track lyrically coated with its smart undercover-like referencing of Psalm 91 that has the word “crossover” written all over it. By time the title track is heard, the tone of the album’s beauty is totally revealed. A staple in contemporary gospel, “Tomorrow” is beautifully penned by Carvin and Deborah Winans, and is supported mostly by Carvin’s magnificent falsetto. Its warm melody rings with unforgettable passion and perfectly shows off the Winans’ strong and mature lyrical content. But there’s much more to the album than the prized title cut, such as the passionate and delicately-produced “Uphold Me” - penned and sung by the late Ron Winans and also features the cool finger snap action and that catchy vamp using its famous lyric, “appoint me, anoint me, choose me, use me...whatever you do Lord don’t take your joy from me” - and the reflective “Bring Back The Days of Yea And Nay.” The latter also earned a GRAMMY for Marvin Winans’ lead performance in the Best Soul Gospel Performance for Male category. Then there’s the moving, adult-contemporary infused “Trust In God” which uses an effective round of guitar licks, warm strings and swooping and heartfelt harmonies. Songs like “You Just Don’t Wanna Be Loved” and the engaging contemporary rhythms and background support from Tata Vega, Krystal Edwards and Perry Morgan on “Lord I Believe” help round out the album’s completion.

There’s so much to appreciate from this project: excellent vocals, relatable themes, signature highlights from Marvin Winans smoky leads and sensitive musical layouts. And while it was destined for the group to venture off to bigger aspirations in hopes to get a piece of the ultimate crossover - smartly leading to Jones’ Quest Records the following year - the group gained their biggest thrill yet from this album; mostly highlighted by the success of the title track. Tomorrow earned a GRAMMY award for Best Soul Gospel Performance By A Duo or Group.