Music

Filled with gritty resolve and a special measure of God’s grace, Marvin Sapp’s newest record (and life) reminds us that we can defeat any obstacle through Christ.

FC: What was the biggest inspiration for I Win?

Marvin: I titled this CD I Win because I want to affirm for myself and for others that the winning is in the enduring. People have a perception that the winner is the one who crosses the finish line first – but I maintain that winning is not a destination but an attitude. I discovered the song I Win at a pastor’s conference a while ago – a young singer named Brittney A. Wright co-wrote and performed it. I was so very impressed by the song I asked her if she would allow me to record it, and a year and a half later I did.

Family Christian: To date, your live albums have been recorded in your hometown of Grand Rapids, MI. What led to choosing to record this album near Washington D.C.?

Marvin Sapp: I recorded the album near D.C. at Evangel Cathedral, simply because that was one of the first places I ever did a concert when I first started in the Gospel music industry some 22 years ago. I was in Commissioned and one of our first concerts was [there]. I’ve had a great relationship with that church for literally 22 years. As bad as I wanted to do the new recording in Grand Rapids where I’ve done all of my live recordings, it was just too close of a reminder of having buried my wife. She was always a part of my recordings because she managed my career. So, since I wasn’t going to do the recording in my city, the only place I could think to take it was to [the] family that’s not here, and that was Evangel Cathedral.

FC: Your Twitter page includes the quote “I’m a preacher that happens to sing, not a singer that happens to preach.” How do you balance these two distinct roles?

Marvin: I always say that I don’t balance, I prioritize. Because, when you try to balance or juggle, something inevitably is going to fall. The call on my life is to preach. I started preaching when I was 22 years of age, and that is what I prioritize. The music is an extension of my ministry, it is a gifting, but I keep it in its rightful place based on God’s call on my life. The gifts come without repentance. I’ve learned that you can be gifted and anointed and live like the devil. In order to be successful in your call, though, you have to tap into the Source. The only way that you can maintain being connected to the Source is you have to live a life that’s holy and acceptable in the sight of God. That’s one of the things we don’t talk about anymore in the church, and that’s trying to live holy. I challenge people who live close to me, next to me, with me that they have to learn to strive to live holy at all costs. Everything else springs forth from that.

FC: Your life took an unexpected turn in 2010 with the loss of your dear wife. How has that affected your approach to ministry/music?

Marvin: One of the blessings was that all of my contracts were negotiated by MaLinda already so it hasn’t affected my business at all. My booking office still does what it does. I’m still turning down a bunch of different dates… Opportunities are still there because we built a great staff so it hasn’t been difficult to move forward. Musically, I continue to record songs that I connect with because I know that those are the songs that will connect with people. MaLinda also laid out in great detail how things would move forward at our church, where she was the administrative pastor. So my approach in both ministry and music has been to adopt a motto that MaLinda had and said all the time:  “keep it moving.” That is what she wanted me to do.

FC: What helped you through that time?

Marvin: For me, prayer, praise and worship absolutely sustained me through the bereavement of my wife. I know I would not have been able to endure that great pain without God.

FC: What is your favorite moment/song on the record, and why?

Marvin: A standout moment was definitely the “Hymns Medley.” I grew up on hymns and my mom kinda taught me almost every hymn I know. When we were doing the recording, the “Hymns Medley” just happened. We were transitioning between songs and I just started singing hymns. At first, it wasn’t even supposed to go on the record. We were going to drop it and then the staff was like, “No, this is unbelievable. It’s gotta stay.” So, we just ended up putting it on the record - but I was just singing things I grew up listening to from traditional hymns to Andrae Crouch. And [so] we just went back and forth and people were blessed by it and I enjoyed doing it. Hopefully, people will love it when they hear it on the record.

FC: For all of the recognition you’ve received over the years – is there a specific honor that has meant the most to you? And if so, why?

Marvin: [laughing] The BET Award for Best Gospel Artist – because my kids were so excited about that! Honestly, every award and recognition is a very humbling experience.

Click here to experience the passionate Gospel-energy of I Win.

After an unexpected and uncontrollable hiatus, Alabama rock group Rush of Fools is back with "We Once Were". Their third album is a hit from the get go with driving rhythms and heavy guitars. It's obvious from the lyrics and sound that the group is back with a lot to say. "We can't go back to what we were before because we were so changed by the events that occurred along the way," says guitarist Kevin Huguley, "...we learned how to count it all joy by writing songs in the midst of the storm...Had we not walked through so many trials in the past two years of our career, we would never have the songs that are on this record."

That feeling is carried through the twelve track album with an upbeat yet contemplative feel. Songs such as "A Civil War" and the last track "Inside and Outside" best reflect this with lyrics like "It's time to bow out of this race/ About time for me to be in last place/ I got myself in a civil war" and "I'm not over/ I'm not finished yet I've got a ways to go/ I'll be alright/ When it comes down to that moment when our dreams have lost their way/ I'll be alright".

"We Once Were" has a creative raw texture, almost an indie feel to it. A great example is track eleven "Help Our Unbelief" which starts out with an organ like a classic horror movie. Although somewhat short lived, still a unique sound you might not expect from the group.

It's obvious a ton of heart and thought went into this recording. Front man Wes Willis says "We gave this recording all of ourselves... We spent over a quarter of a year away from our families and friends on this one...The difference is night and day compared to the first two releases." Just about every song will be stuck between your ears because this album is so infectious. Rush of Fool's fans will love this latest release, not to mention all the new fans they're going to garner from this immediate classic.

Check out the album here: http://www.familychristian.com/we-once-were.html

By: Kevin Thorson

www.cmaddict.com

Here it is, the highly anticipated album of 2011 Switchfoot's "Vice Verses". The second from the group since leaving Columbia Records and moving to their own lowercase people. A move I highly agree with after their amazing release of "Hello Hurricane" in 2009.

"Vice Verses" is exactly what I was looking for, a continuation of their last album mixed with some hints of old and yet some stretching musically into other creative avenues.

Frontman Jon Foreman on the title of the album: "The whole thing is about polarity. We wanted to write about the polarity of what it means to be human, the lights and darks. I'm always intrigued by the tension that exists between life and death." The twelve tracks sum it up well with a lot of ups and downs both musically and lyrically.

The first track "Afterlife" begins with guitar only as Foreman enters. An almost classic sounding Switchfoot and a great way to start off the album. "The War Inside" has an almost "The Sound" beginning to it. Listen carefully because it's got a very unique and addictive music track.

Song four "Restless" has a rock worship feel to it that could have been sung by Bono. I just had to play the end of the song a few more times because it's that good. "Blinding Light" is a song about searching for hope and finding it "Deep down there's a hope inside / You got wings but you're scared to fly / wake up, wake up".

The sixth track "Selling the News" is a commentary on the sensationalism of, well, the news: "Substance, oh substance where have you been / you've been replaced by the masters of spin". "Selling the News" definitely stands out with Foreman speaking, not singing, the verses. I can already see the music video of Foreman in a news room or war zone reporting/performing this song.

Can't get your fill of hard hitting vocals and blazing guitars, then play "Dark Horses". One of the coolest rock songs I've heard in a while. I'll be playing this one too much, way too much and way too loud. So will you.

"Souvenirs" is a beautiful track with great lyrics "These are my souvenirs / the memory of a lifetime". "Rise Above It" is a fun song that is slightly different and changes up in a lot of places throughout the song. Very fun lyrically also: "Just because you're present doesn't mean that you're here".

Title track eleven "Vice Verses" is one of the best songs on the album and an instant classic. It contrasts life and death in a very thoughtful and memorable way: "You got your babies / I got my hearses / Every blessing comes with it's set of curses". And in true Switchfoot fashion gives you a lot to think about.

The final song "Where I Belong" is a good wrap of the album. It has a mid tempo 'good feeling' anthem to it that makes you want to replay the album all over again. So I did.

Switchfoot's "Vice Verses" has exceeded my expectations. A perfectly executed album with loads of 'classics in the makings'. No trendy synths or unnecessary auto-tune here, just straight up rock, pure and thoughtful, what Switchfoot does best. And when they're at their best, they're amazing.

By: Kevin Thorson

www.cmaddict.com