Ghanian worship artist Akesse Brempong
Reviews by Bob Marovich
‘…Afrobeats, Pentecostal energy and a trace of reggae…’
THE AWAKENING LIVE!—ALPHA EDITION
Akesse Brempong
(released: December 2023)
Known as “The Lion,” Akesse Brempong is an accomplished Ghanian worship artist, with five albums and a handful of single releases to his name. His latest, The Awakening Live!–Alpha Edition, is Praise & Worship with a distinctive combination of Afrobeats, Pentecostal energy, and a trace of reggae. The lyrics and melody on The Awakening Live! are intentionally easy to learn and the P&W arrangements are atmospheric, with several of the seven tracks stretching out for six minutes or more. The lyrics emphasize the vertical praise characteristic of African and European gospel.
Appropriately, “Awake” opens the project. Using the text of Ephesians 5:14 (“awake from your slumber and Christ will shine over you”), the song gradually increases in intensity through its call-and-response vamp. The ensemble puts a rock steady beat to the shoulder-shaking “I.O.U. Love,” a paean to love with a heck of a hook.
‘Healing In Your Wings,’ Akesse Brempong @akessethelion Featuring a vocal featuring Isaiah Ofosu-Kwakye, from The Awakening Live—Alpha Edition
‘Let the Gates Open,’ Akesse Brempong, from The Awakening Live—Alpha Edition
The passionate and hypnotic ballad “Healing in Your Wings” (Malachi 4:2) includes a vocal feature from Isaiah Ofosu-Kwakye and stunning support from the background singers. “Jo” encourages worshippers to dance as David danced, and if the lyrics aren’t enough to start the holy shape-throwing, the rhythm section lays down funky Afrobeats. One can imagine the live audience rocking to the bouncy beat. The ensemble gives Psalm 24:7-9 a rhythmic lift on “Let the Gates Open,” with the rhythm section alternating between dance beats and a military march.
‘Okrosa Nyame” (Triune God), Akesse Brempong, from The Awakening Live—Alpha Edition
While most of the songs are in English, two are not. “Okrosa Nyame” (Triune God) and “Wo Na Wowo Tumi” (Power Belongs to You) are lovely ballads with majestic, hymn-like melodies. The latter evokes the work of South African gospel legend Rebecca Malope but with a smoother veneer. These two songs are the album’s most affecting, but the overall album will appeal to fans of P&W.
Pick: “I.O.U. Love”
***
‘…smooth vibes enveloping conventional Christian lyrics…’
HEAVENLY RAIN
Barbara Kimbrough
DB Productions (released: August 2023)
Orlando, Florida-based Barbara Kimbrough’s Heavenly Rain is a laidback album with smooth vibes enveloping conventional Christian lyrics about the need for blessings in troubled times, the power of prayer, the glory of the hereafter, and the unconditional love of the Lord.
Kimbrough’s voice has supper club charm, honeyed and smiley, the product of years fronting a band with her brother Buford Noris, which worked nightclubs and other venues in their hometown of East St. Louis and environs. The band for Heavenly Rain, which includes Buford on guitar, supports with smooth jazz-infused arrangements, though Kyle Turner’s sizzling sax solo on “So Sweet” injects some real sass into the sweetness. The background vocalists include a few family members, and Derrell Noris offers a rap interlude on “Living in the Light,” thus making the project something of a family affair.
‘So Sweet,’ Barbara Kimbrough, featuring Kyle Turner, from Heavenly Rain
‘Keeping Me,’ Barbara Kimbrough, from Heavenly Rain
Barbara and Buford wrote all the songs on Heavenly Rain except two. Those two come straight outta the hymnbook: “Tis So Sweet” and “I Am Thine.” They are combined into a seven-minute medley that is the album’s highlight. A close second is the traditional-tinged up-tempo “Keeping Me,” which features the BGVs chirping like a choir and Andre Vinson’s organ peeping through the din.
The newly composed songs are pleasant, with the concluding “More and More,” about the level to which Kimbrough needs Jesus, a compelling melody. But the hymn medley takes it home.
Picks: “Tis So Sweet / I Am Thine,” “Keeping Me”
***
‘…Talking drums and bansuri meet saxophone and piano on the journey to spiritual healing…’
LESA ALOMFWA
Muriel Mwamba
(released: October 2023)
Zambian singer-songwriter Muriel Mwansa Mwamba’s debut album was two decades in the making. Lesa Alomfwa, translated as “God Listens,” sets African beats and folk music, as well as modern jazz and R&B, to inspirational and faith-based lyrics. Talking drums and bansuri meet saxophone and piano on the journey to spiritual healing.
‘Kalulu,’ music and lyrics by Muriel Mwamba, performed by Muriel Mwamba on Lesa Alomfwa
While I cannot comment on the songs with lyrics in Icibemba, Lingala, or French, those in English proclaim the power of God as our anchor during overwhelming challenges. “Trials and Temptations,” for example, ruminates on daily disappointments, but Mwamba’s playful scatting, falsetto flights, and faith talk remind us that nothing is insurmountable. Mwamba knows a thing or two about trials and tribulations. She emigrated to the U.S. from an economically shattered Zambia, only to deal with the loss of her parents and a period of homelessness. Through two decades she kept at it, scheduling studio time whenever she had extra money, until the ten-track album was complete.
‘Sweet Memories,’ Muriel Mwamba, from Lesa Alomfwa
‘Je M’Imagine,’ written by Marguerite Monnot and Nita Raya, recorded by Edith Piaf in 1960. Performed by Muriel Mwamba on Lesa Alomfwa
The band supports Mwemba as if they had worked with her their entire lives. Members include Jojo Kuo on drums, AJ on Njembe drum, Kofo the Wonderman on talking drums, Martino Atangana on guitar, Tony Barbar on bansuri, and Senegalese artist Thierno Camara on bass. They turn out that mesmerizing perpetual rhythmic motion that characterizes much of African folk music. They even bestow a polyrhythmic feel to the Edith Piaf ballad “Je M’imagine.”
Fans of Afrobeat music or the textured vocal stylings of Angelique Kidjo will enjoy—and probably dance to—Lesa Alomfwa, with its repetitive rhythmic motifs driven by ancient and contemporary instruments. Altogether, the album demonstrates the power of perseverance. Muriel Mwamba’s tale of survival and success is a lesson for us all.
Picks: “Sweet Memories,” “Kalulu”
***
SINGLES PICKS
‘Grace and Mercy,’ Jennifer Lynn, from her album Bluebird (Independent, released July 2023)
Christian singer-songwriter Jennifer Lynn’s “Grace and Mercy” sparkles with tenderness and authenticity. It is an autobiographical ode of gratitude to God for always being there in her life, through the good times and the bad. Accompanying herself on acoustic guitar, Jennifer, from Ontario, Canada, delivers the message in a resolute but lovely voice. The song blends the earthy twang of contemporary country with the melodic fluidity of CCM.
‘Only One Way Home,’ Mississippi Mass Choir (Malaco)
A follow-up to its single with Myron Butler called “The Promise,” “Only One Way Home” finds the timeless Mississippi Mass Choir returning to its traditional gospel roots by putting a foot-stomping backbeat to a pentatonic melody. The message of the song is that Jesus alone is the way to the “house of many mansions,” and once there, oh, what a time it will be.
‘Come Go With Me,’ Betty Griffin Keller
Betty Griffin Keller, a former Cleveland Singer, member of the Southern California Community Choir and GMWA Mass Choir, and a solo recording artist, is back with her version of Rudolph Stanfield’s “Come Go With Me.” In a rough-edged take-no-prisoners voice, Keller invites the live audience to travel with her, when the time comes, to that eternal kingdom over yonder where they can tell the saints how they got over. She then invites the Reverend Bruce Parham to join her in the singing, evangelizing, and journeying, and he matches her shout for shout. Although the radio version edits out what appears to be an electrifying ending, there’s plenty to appreciate here.
