The world of adult contemporary music is often filled with boring songs sung by artists that all seem to blend together. That’s not the case with Forever Forward, the group founded by Kevin Brightman and Derek Gibbs. These two professionally trained musicians sought to create something that is both uplifting and inspirational. They do this by perfectly blending jazz, gospel and R & B together and to do that, they’ve assembled some beautiful voices to solo on the seven vocal tracks.
After one listen to All Is Well, its hard not to think that “All Is Well.” The music’s message of love, faith and peace comes across loud and clear or calmly and soothingly, but whichever way the songs are sung, one thing is for sure, the message is a positive one. The album opens with the title track, a powerful song reminding us that truth is the way to go to put things right. The next track slows things down with Peace Be Still. Sometimes words can’t describe the beauty of a song and this is one such time. One just has to listen to understand.
I Am In Stride is one of tracks that’s message is more loud, but in a way that harkens back to the good ole days of Motown, where harmonies and background vocals brought songs to life, and life is something this song has, along with a very positive message. Play this track when your mood could use lifting. This song works better than any anti-depressant. Running Over is a two part song the first part being a slower gospel tinged number that kicks it up a notch or two at the stand up and sing along chorus. On the second part of the song, it stays at a more face paced tempo, but its message is still one of love. One of my favorites on the record has to be God Always Says Yes. A song that puts a modern twist on something that sounds like it could be an old gospel song, even though its fresh and new.
Sure this album is made up of beautiful songs, but they would be nothing without the talented singers. There’s not just one that takes the spotlight in Forever Forward, no there are at least 6 that take the spotlight and several more that handle the backing vocals. Some of the angelic voices heard on All Is Well are Tisha Hunter, Fela James, Kim Williams, Judy Thames, Nia Middleton and Nedelka Prescod-Echols. These women bring the songs to life, better than any Mariah or Whitney could. Its very easy to wish for a longer record when the instrumental All Is Well finishes. Certainly these ladies could stand alone on their own albums, but perhaps it’s because they are singing together throughout this album, that you feel a certain unity that might not be there if they played these songs out on different albums.
If you are looking for an album that will brighten your mood and take you on a pleasant spiritual journey, this is the CD for you. Its full of songs that will make you stand up and clap and sing a long. This is an album to be played and cherished for years to come. Take it out when you are feeling blue, because it will make you happy and take it out when you are happy, because it just makes your happiness a bit more…well, happy.
Reviewed By Andrea Guy
http://community.livejournal.com/mossip/
