STYLE: Gospel RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 55112-15339 LABEL: Verity 886972975429 FORMAT: CD Album RELEASE DATE: 2009-01-30 RRP: £12.99
Reviewed by Paul Poulton
Crystal Aikin won Black Entertainment Television's Sunday Best talent competition, a programme that discovers undiscovered gospel singers from across the US. So having won the gospel equivalent of American Idol the next step is to get a collection of songs that can be presented to the public and here it is. Crystal's name is the only writing on the front cover as if to say, here she is and this is what she has to offer. It's not hard to see why Crystal came out on top in the TV show; she has powerful vocal chords and a range that covers husky low tones and commanding lofty notes. It's produced by a conglomerate of fine gospel music producers including renowned hitmakers PAJAM so the quality is going to be there from the start, even though there is a faint sense of manufactured music about some of the tracks. Also, the songs here are not immediately accessible but repeated playing reveals some very nice parts, grooves and instrumentation. "Lord You Reign Forever" comes closest to being truly memorable with its 1980s chart-soul backing vocals.
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Product Description
For six weeks, Gospel music enthusiasts tuned into Black Entertainment Television on Tuesday nights to witness and weigh in on the crowning of Gospel music’s newest superstar. At the culmination of the competition, millions watched as Crystal Aikin was named the first Sunday Best winner.
Zomba Gospel is pleased and excited to present Aikin’s debut recording, aptly titled, Crystal Aikin.
Featuring production by gospel powerhouseteam PAJAM, R & B notables Dre & Vidal, Gerald Haddon (brother and producer of Deitrick), and pop/country luminaries Bernie Hermes and Natalie Grant, the result is an eclectic yet cohesive collection of songs that reflects Aikin’s limitless range and ability.