Toby Mac - Portable Sounds

Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

Does anyone else think that it's ironic that the most successful Christian rapper in the world is a white guy in his 40s? The fact is that Toby Mac hits the nail on the head every time with albums that are packed with songs that minister but also combine a mixed musical heritage of rock, hip-hop and funk which is always compelling. This falls into the same groove as the 'Diverse City' album and yet he's topped it. With the usual mixture of his rapping /singing and guest diva vocalists and a collection of the hookiest catchy choruses you'll find anywhere, it's impossible not to love this. "No Ordinary Love" has one of those brain-infecting hooks that you're singing along with before the end of the first listen and a superb funky break down. "Feelin' So Fly" sounds like "Diverse City" Pt 2 with the same funkiness as the title tracks from his last set and "One World" sounds like a musical continuation of "Hey Now". At the poppier end of things, "Suddenly" and "Made To Love" are perfectly constructed and executed. "Boomin'" and "Ignition" go more in an indie rock direction which is again familiar from previous outings. So while there isn't anything here that breaks from the familiar formula of previous releases, Toby gives his audience what they want and serves it up in an intelligent fashion creating an album that will appeal to a wide audience. His son truDog again makes an appearance on "Hype Man" which is funny for the first couple of plays and then loses its appeal. The kid will probably make a debut album before he's in his teens! Favourite track is the closer "Lose My Soul" which features Kirk Franklin and the amazing vocals of American Idol's Mandisa. It's soulful and it explores the theme of keeping God at the centre of things. And that's been the secret of Toby Mac's success, he's managed to combine popular creative music with a ministry focus and much respect to him for that! Even the album sleeve is clever! This is another fine recording and if you wait six months, the inevitable remix album will probably unearth further dimensions to these songs. The formula undoubtedly works!