::ALBUM REVIEW::

Youthful Praise delivers outstanding vocals set to praise-and-worship styled gospel tunes while delivering the same hair-raising energy featured on their debut masterpiece (“Awesome God”) on their sophomore project, “Live The Praise The Worship ”. And while choirs nowadays have found refugee in the hip-hop movement, delivering beats and bass that fires up speakers and ears, Youthful Praise, led by choir director J.J. Hairston, remain committed to the church sound. No compromise here.

Like the saying says: the third time is a charm. What is quite interesting about this project, this time around, is the fact that they are very sensitive to the popular trends of modern gospel music today. You can easily hear the styling of Israel Houghton on the opening track “You Are So Awesome”. Listen carefully and you may witness that cute melody from Israel’s “Highly Exalted” tucked beneath the moving lyrics. Take another step further and you can pinpoint a Rodney Posey/John P. Kee similarity on “Praise To The Rock”. So familiarity is the foundation for this album’s acceptance. Most will find a little bit of everything on this collection, while the central theme of praise-and-worship dominates the core of the lyrical subject matter here.

Really kicking things off after listening to the opening cut are songs like “He’s Worthy”, penned JJ. Hairston (whom scores the bulk of the album’s material). The song has a traditional Chicago gospel drive, yet throttled by a Calypso-jazzy thump. It’s one of those hype praise tracks you would normally see opening an album of this caliber, but being tucked in the middle of the project isn’t such a bad idea. Jonathan Nelson highlights the album with his signature mid-tempo synergy on “Shift This Place”. Even though it possess the same groove as “I’m Healed” (one of his popular compositions), it transforms into a zesty jamboree when the vamp kicks in. Words saying: “Glory, have your way, shift this place with your weight” only suggest that Nelson likes the Davidic poetic touch. Nelson provides vocals and worship exhortations, while JJ sneaks in (takes over) to round things up. His voice is not grand, far from it. But the melody and modulations are enough to hit the 'repeat' button. The song fits perfect on YP, which showcases rich tonality and an exhilarating “crunk’ness” in their performance. Lest we forget Mo’ Horns blazing out some funky horn arrangements, this track is full of divine glory. No wonder there happens to be a reprise and a quick outro concluding the album of this very song.

“I Am Your Help” is a new churchy tune penned by the legendary Bishop J.C. White, which falls in line with COGIC standards like “Stretch Out” and “Keys To the Kingdom”. If this track don’t sound like a James Hall track, I don’t know what does. But YP’s dynamic vocals and diction clearly defines a new sound for the group. And not just on this song, but on all of the songs you can easily point out that YP has grown increasingly since their debut. They have a more polished sound and it’s easier to dig. The uncontrollable vibrato is out, and in comes a better trained, sophisticated formula that reminds most of the majestic choirs from the 1980s (Thompson Community Singers, Whitfield Company). “I Am Your Help” finds Evangelist Gloria White on lead, while the choir mostly follow with quick, staccato responses.

Many may also wonder why one half of YP’s earlier leaders, Shawn Brown, bowed out from YP. Seasons change, and that is also the case for Shawn (now pastor) Brown. Most may recall Brown’s brilliant compositions like “Awesome God”, “Ruler” and “Song Of Praise”, styled almost in the same vein as Donald Lawrence and the late Thomas Whitfield. It’s a beautiful thing to see a few new tracks by Brown on this collection; proving that seasons may change but some traditions don’t have to. Finding songs like the moody “Holy” (tucked in a long medley) and “The Blood” are well received and definitely prove to be the finest of the smooth ballads offered here. Unlike YP’s previous collections, this one is not dominated by outsiders and guest vocalists, even though Jonathan Nelson, Jason Nelson and Bishop Eric McDaniel appear on the mix. So most of the attention is sure to rest on YP and JJ (whom sings on many of the up-tempo tracks). Sometimes I wonder who directs te choir when the director sings, since JJ is known for his choral directing abilities. That’s a question we just have to ask him someday.

Make no mistake about it, this album is definitely an improvement from “Thank You For The Change”. Featuring a few good tracks, yet overshadowed by high-density songs and incomplete production was the formula that time around. Of course, “Awesome God” proves to be the most popular of the better song selections for any of their albums, even though YP’s vibrato proved to be restless and overbearing at times. Overall, “Live The Praise, The Worship ” works out the kinks compared to the previous offerings in the areas of the studio mixing and overdubs. The mastering is very much hi-fi and the sound control is brilliant. We are on the right road now, folks.

By the way, nice photography. Don’t be shocked if you saw this album laying in the R&B/hip-hop sections. The album might fool some business owners (especially those that have no clue as to what gospel albums look like).