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Featuring guest appearances by Stevie Wonder ("Why"), Dorinda Clark-Cole ("Hero"), and Yolanda Adams ("Afterwhile"), not to mention a song that utilizes a Tears for Fears sample ( "Let It Go"), the album offers plenty of variety, and a few surprises, ... Full Descriptionin addition to its large-scale arrangements. Franklin manages to integrate these new elements perfectly into the celebratory and healing music on which he's built his career.
Though testimonies of faith and questions of morality are still at the heart of Kirk Franklin's message, 2005's HERO represents something of a musical departure for the gospel superstar. Recorded with a full orchestra--complete with lush strings and driving horns--HERO is one of Franklin's most musically ambitious outings.
Personnel: Kirk Franklin (vocals, rap vocals, keyboards); Dorinda Clark-Cole, J. Moss, African Children's Choir, Stevie Wonder, Tye Tribbett (vocals); Doc Powell, Todd Parsnow (guitars); Matt Butler (cello); Paulie Cerra (saxophone); Dave Monsch (baritone saxophone); Lee Thornburg, Jamie Hovorka (trumpet); Humberto Ruiz (trombone); Shaun Martin (keyboards, drums); Jerome Harmon (keyboards); Braylon Lacy (electric bass); Terri Baker (drums); Andre Harris, Sheila E., Vidal Davis (percussion).
Hide DescriptionPurchase Hero CD To buy, Click on price to add to cart | Yolanda Adams Day By Day CD (2005)
Hero album
$15.39 With its heavy R&B leanings, DAY BY DAY is easily one of gospel singer Yolanda Adams's most accessible and energetic records. However, this doesn't mean that her messages of praise get lost in the potent pop-tinged production; in fact, Adams is as passionate as ever about her faith, as revealed on the formidable opening track, "Victory," which immediately shines a spotlight on her powerful vocals. Renowned producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis contribute to a trio of tracks here (most notably the buoyant "Lift Him Up," featuring Donnie McClurkin and Mary Mary), while gospel-crossover icon Kirk Franklin oversees two songs (the smooth jam "Tonight" and the Quiet Storm tune "Show Me"). As always, Adams expertly walks the line between secular and Christian music, ensuring that fans will be entertained and uplifted regardless of religious ties.
Personnel include: Yolanda Adams (vocals); Donnie McClurkin, Mary Mary (vocals); Gregory Curtis (various instruments, background ...
| | Chamillionaire The Sound of Revenge CD (2005) Parental Advisory
Hero CD music
$12.45 With THE SOUND OF REVENGE, Chamillionaire's 2005 Universal debut, the Houston-based rapper makes the most of his major-label deal, which includes his own Chamillitary imprint. On SOR, Paul Wall's former collaborator amps up that duo's signature chopped-and-screwed mixtape sound with heavy-duty arrangements that expertly showcase Chamillionaire's deep, husky voice. The introductory title track is marked by machine-gun beats, and establishes the album's fierce, restless mood. But the disc's highlight is the utterly infectious single "Turn It Up," which boasts Scott Storch's distinctive ...
| | Floetry Flo'Ology CD (2005)
Hero music CDs
$11.89 On its third full-length outing, FLO'OLOGY, the R&B duo Floetry refines the warm, organic, hip-hop-tinged sound that was unveiled on FLOETIC and furthered on the (mostly) live FLOACISM. Natalie Stewart (the "Floacist") and Marsha Ambrosius (the "Songstress") present smoothly assertive songs that glide along on spare, straightforward arrangements. 2005's producer du jour Scott Storch lends his skills to two tracks on FLO'OLOGY--the chiming ...
| | Mary J Blige The Breakthrough CD (2005)
Hero songs
$10.85 After her somewhat lukewarm 2003 release LOVE & LIFE, Mary J. Blige returns to her rightful place as the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul with 2005's THE BREAKTHROUGH. Blige enlisted a host of guest producers to contribute tracks to THE BREAKTHROUGH, and the result is one of her strongest and most varied albums. As usual, the sound is a mixture of smooth, urban contemporary and hip-hop edge, but Blige nails it with tracks like the pulsing "Enough Cryin'" (with its rich, multi-layered vocals) and the breezy "Can't Hide From Luv" featuring a guest spot by Jay-Z.
The album's lead-off single, "Be Without You," a bittersweet slow jam, is representative of the album's themes, which focus on feelings of strength and weakness in love. But whether waxing romantic ("Can't Get Enough") or detailing the travails of the heart ("Baggage"), Blige lays down elastic R&B vocal lines that are second to none. Even a ...
| | Tye Tribbett Victory Live! CD (2006)
Hero album
$10.29 Tye Tribbett gives gospel a shot in the arm with VICTORY LIVE!, a concert performance that features Tribbett and his choir and band going full-tilt for the Lord. Tribbett's not afraid to tweak the formula of traditional gospel to achieve new forms of uplifting music by incorporating elements of R&B, rock, hip-hop, Celtic, and other styles (note the go-go beat in "Victory"). Yet Tribbett and company never stray far from their roots, as the tent revival feel of "Still Have Joy" proves. Connecting these musical directions takes serious commitment, making VICTORY LIVE! a truly moving document ...
| | Carman I Surrender All: 30 Classic Hymns CD (1997)
Hero CD music
$13.89 Personnel includes: Carman (vocals); Mark Casstevens ...
| | Temptations To Be Continued... CD (2006)
Hero music CDs
$6.85 Originally released in 1986, TO BE CONTINUED finds the Temptations applying their resonant R&B harmonies to bright pop-tinged tunes that feature the slick production of ...
| | Sonique Hear My Cry CD (2000) (Import) United Kingdom
Hero songs
$15.75 In the inner flap of her debut LP, HEAR MY CRY, the imposing-looking Sonique strikes a ferocious pose. She also refers to herself with the oft-overused tag "diva" in the acknowledgments. This posturing could conjure up musical visions ranging anywhere from Mariah to Me'Shell N'Degeo'Cello. In reality, Sonique's music has more in common with sounds pumping from mid-'80s nightclubs of the Frankie Goes to Hollywood variety, while her voice is most reminiscent of that of Jimi Somerville of Bronski Beat fame.
The tinge of cold impersonality in the music is more than made up for by catchy grooves and Sonique's impassioned vocals. The opening track, "It Feels So Good," is marked by the type of hook that bears cross-genre appeal. While a cover of Screamin' Jay Hawkins' signature "I Put a Spell on You" could seem horrific in this forum, she rekindles ...
| | Various Artists Rapland Recordings CD (2002)
Hero album
$14.69
| | Various Artists 18 Contemporary Christian Favorites CD (2004)
Hero CD music
$6.35
| | Luther Barnes When We All Get To Heaven CD (1990)
$10.79 | | Glasgow Phoenix Choir Iona Abbey CD (2005)
Hero music CDs
$12.95
| | Renegade On The Edge CD (2004)
Hero songs
$18.99
| | Enemy Away From Here (2008) (Import)
Hero album
$6.79
| | Unforgetable Songs Of Jay Orlando CD (2008)
$16.39 |
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