If one were to embark on a journey to define soul, the road would lead them to Montrel Darrett’s Chronicles of the Soul. From instrumentation, to lyrics and subject matter, to testimony about God’s character, this solo effort by Darrett vividly describes all forms of the word soul in one uplifting album.

This 1999 EMI Gospel release carries the undeniably smooth Neo-Soul sound that modern Gospel music has adopted. Through heavy piano beats reminiscent of Blackstreet’s hook on “No Diggity”, snare hits to snap your fingers to, and slow jams worthy of receiving play at the end of a long day, these tracks draw the listener in with the first beat. Darrett’s own instrumental contributions demonstrate a wide range of skill, enhancing the authenticity of his calling to the music ministry. In addition to his extraordinary lead vocals, he offers his talents on the drums, bass, acoustic guitar, trumpet, and even whistles on the upbeat track “Shakedown”.

Darrett, who wrote every song on his first solo album, reaches into the depths of the human soul as he talks to listeners about real-life issues. His understanding of the hopelessness that comes with pain in relationships, the temptation of the club and the lifestyle that accompanies it, and the fear of past and future adversity is apparent in his thoughtful lyrics and rich voice. “Move On” is a hopeful encouragement to stay faithful to God through the myriad of trials that one faces daily. “Hang on in there, watch God pull you through / Cause when the enemy meant it for bad / God meant it to encourage you.” The opening track, with a “No Diggity”-like hook, testifies to the saving power and love only found in Jesus Christ. “ It had to take a tough love, ‘cause no ordinary love was enough love/ To free me from this world of confusion/ Those other loves failed to get the job done.” Darrett wraps up the album by speaking love to the club, especially those lost in the lifestyle that has left them empty. “When the party’s over and sadness steps in/…Well, Jesus is waiting to take you in/ So when your party is over/ Then new life begins.” Each song ministers to the spirit, addressing a multitude of pains, joys, and questions in life. With every play, these tracks speak new life into the listener.

Darrett experiments on “Shakedown” and “Soldier” with his rhymes. Much of the time, the quality of lyrics and style is difficult to understand. With a soothing and rich sound like Darrett’s, his forte is more suited toward a soulful ballad. One can respect his desire to experiment in with his talent and the urban sound, but a better quality might be achieved by collaborating with another rapper.

Through every song, he offers an encouragement of hope that is only capable of being expressed through what is obviously his own experience. This solo debut from Montrel Darrett has all the elements of a genuine soul album. This mix of thoughtful lyrics and authentic musical talent is appealing to both Gospel and secular audiences, demonstrating the power of God’s Word to change lives through music.