Artist: Mary Mary
Label: Columbia Records
Reviewed By: Joseph Nichols*
This new record from our around the way girls immediately asserts itself rhythmically and soul stirringly. The heart wrenching 'Believer' gives the feel of the record as a whole. An invigorous dance track with a beat-boxing intro that reminds us of the late nineties R&B team Missy and Timbaland with an infectious bass, and a great groove. Even more infectious is the track 'The Real Party,' an uptempo gospel club song with church horns and a Donna Summer beat. But the most memorable track is first single 'Heaven,' a celebratory hit with a touch of old school that borrows a sample from the historic hit single 'Want Ads' (by '70s R&B trio Honey Cone)
If 'Heaven' sounds like a track that is not gospel radio territory , wait until you listen to 'The Biggest Greatest Thing,' a big-band, Ella Fitzgerald-styled extravaganza where the girls trade in their big vibratos and church singing in for story telling and heart wrenching love balladry. For soul music lovers, the song may not be celebratory, but the quality of the vocals displayed by Ericka and Tina and the live musicians help to evolve the average urban gospel record. Husband and producer Warryn Campbell visits the this style once again with the infectious 'Yesterday,' a soothing and perfect score vocal, ballad accompanied by brass and string sections.
Later, a near crying, one-fingered piano line serves as the basis for 'What Is This,' a surrender with an unrelenting, pounding foundation. Perhaps the sweetest moment of the record arrives when we hear 'And I,' maybe the most worshipping influenced track the girls have ever recorded. Gospel Superstar, Kirk Franklin guests on the track, which offers the mid-tempo number with flamenco guitars, sweet strings, and a hot rhythmic foothold. It's just one of those songs that will stand the test of time the lyrical content is a place where fans have not heard the girls delve into until now: 'There's a name more powerful words can't describe/When spoken demons tremble/And all creation must bow down.'
Though it's an understatement that these were created to be recording artists/ Ministers of Music, it's apparent when they lay down their gorgeous three and four part harmonies. Other groups seem to not have such commanding lead vocals but they leave one wondering what their other siblings sound like, but Mary Mary are more than able themselves. Their church performing has also allowed for them to sing with power and drama along with multi-octave gospel vocalization, sometimes within the same song.