One-time dance diva returns with debut album for the Christian scene.
Mixing vocal, soul, pop and R&B, her new album, Running Back To You features touching, uplifting and inspiring songs, sung with that rich and expressive voice that is instantly recognizable.
Those readers who've read Yazz's powerful testimony on the Cross Rhythms website will know full well that this isn't a case of a one-time chartmaker trying to find a new market with a gospel album. It's a cleverly crafted, impressively produced set of faith-lifting songs. Stylistically, it moves between pop ("Look To Me" has echoes of All Saints' "Never Ever"), R&B vocals and a jazz sax solo on "So Glad" and, for those with a memory for these things, Sue Rinaldi's mid-'90s club-dance CDs. The songs mix originals and covers from the likes of the Parachute Band and Scott Wesley Brown. Most astonishing of all is the rework of Marie Barnett's worship classic "Breathe". With plenty of Christian media exposure this will surely be a big seller for 'Running Back To You' is uniformly excellent. I've never awarded more than nine squares on Cross Rhythms before, but this time, the only way is. . . well, you know. . .
This track data is supplied by the Cross Rhythms review library. Please note that CD/DVD tracks may vary according to release region or product version. You should not assume that products purchased through Cross Rhythms Direct will necessarily have identical track listings to those shown.
Posted by Alan M in London at 22:30 on Feb 8 2008
This is quite the warmest and most beautiful worship record
I have ever heard. The songs and production are exquisite.
Buy it now - and copies for your friends and church - you
will not be disappointed. This CD has the cross-over appeal
(pop/soul/R&B) to bring worship music and the love of Jesus
back into the mainstream where they belong. I truly cannot
recommend this album highly enough ...
Posted by Bob Wood in Taunton at 22:49 on Apr 30 2008
"So Glad" could be a mainstream chart hit easily, if only it
were picked up by a major radio station. Just excellent and
worth every one of it's 10/10.
Posted by Darren in Notts, United Kingdom at 02:15 on May 25 2008
Yazz applies herself and produces a wonderful 13 track album
with the same talent that rocketed her to fame with the 1988
‘Wanted’ album, birthing the subsequent 6 week No1 hit and
biggest selling UK single of the year ‘The only way is up’-
and surely it must be….The opening track ‘Freedom’ is a
catchy Latino carnival testimonial proclaiming Yazz’s
freedom in Christ, utilising the piano skills from husband
Enrique, a wonderfully fresh sound that leads on to the
albums second track ‘Love Creation’, a soft melodic approach
to Genesis one, blending superbly with ‘You are my daily
bread’- I recall melting in worship the first time I heard
this Marie Barnett composition - Yazz delivers this song
with a slightly more upbeat tempo but to the same effect!
On to the astoundingly intimate and soulful ‘Deeper Love’……
an impassioned song that sings right to your core, truly
moving.
The album title track ‘Running back to you’ conveys
brilliantly the urgency felt when a person recognises their
need to get into relationship with God, whilst the acoustic
‘Strength to carry on’ is a reminder of who we rely on in
times of adversity .The respectful and sweet soul sound from
‘You are Holy’ precedes ‘Jerusalem’- an excellent example
and expression of Yazz’s song writing talent and fantastic
vocal range. The joyful Africa beat emanating from ‘Joy in
the morning’ brings on a foot tapping frenzy, before we’re
reminded of “for out of the overflow of the heart the mouth
speaks” or in this case as Yazz sings ‘My Heart Speaks’, a
reflection on the signs of the times- a great prelude to ‘So
Glad’, a celebration of Yazz’s position and relationship
with God.
The peaceful and mellifluous ballad with daughter Rio in
‘Look To Me’ infuses a wonderful harmony you can expect from
a talented mother and daughter duo, Rio features through
much of the album with blended harmonies, and it’s with
harmony that the album finishes, ‘Amazing Grace’, how sweet
the sound….Amen.
This is without doubt the most gorgeous album ever! A
must-have for any Christian. It's full of treasures; some
obvious and others hidden as you listen more cloesly each
time. Truly beautiful; it's a testimony in itself.
For more information about Yazz,
check the Yazz Artist Profile on the main Cross Rhythms website for news stories,
feature articles, interviews and much more.
(Link opens in new window)
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This is quite the warmest and most beautiful worship record I have ever heard. The songs and production are exquisite. Buy it now - and copies for your friends and church - you will not be disappointed. This CD has the cross-over appeal (pop/soul/R&B) to bring worship music and the love of Jesus back into the mainstream where they belong. I truly cannot recommend this album highly enough ...
Alan M's rating: