Mary Mary | Something Big
Album Review: Mary Mary | Something Big
By Peggy Oliver
(Advance Review - CD To Be Released March 29th, 2011)
(Advance Review - CD To Be Released March 29th, 2011)
From
the moment that funky message heard around the world of being freed
from the chains that bind us in life – entitled “Shackles,” Mary Mary
still stands strong in the gospel industry. This international hit in
2000 was just the beginning for sisters Erika and Tina Atkins with a
ministry that keeps on blossoming with uplifting tunes like “Heaven,”
“In the Morning,” “I Try,” “Yesterday” and “Get Up.” Though there have
been intermissions (starting their respective families) and
inconveniences (music piracy on the rise in the millennium), the ladies
now known as Erika and Tina Campbell keep on pressing for the cause of
Christ. Their audiences span from pop to hip-hop. Yet the gospel
message remains firm and consistent; no matter how the message is
delivered. With five discs to their credit - all with Warryn Campbell in
the production chair - including their most recent offering and most
popular disc to date, The Sound, Something Big presents another healthy contemporary gospel mix of rock, R&B, hip-hop and jazz.
Here is the track synopsis in order of song appearance:
“Something
Bigger” celebrates world music with hypnotizing African vibes and rapid
fire dancehall reggae style leads from Erika and Tina. The rhythmic
R&B ballad, “Blind” states about how fragile the human condition can
be: “Marked and damaged, return to sender” but those of the Christian
faith realize Jesus understands the hurts faced on a daily basis. In an
unusual acapella arrangement, “It Is Well,” takes its cue from the
classic hymn while reflecting Mary Mary’s quieter vocal demeanor. The
trance-induced anthem, “Never Wave My Flag” declares complete victory in
Jesus: “And now I’m stronger, I’m a fighter and only victory can
satisfy this hunger.” “Walking,” the first single from Something Big
introduced in 2010, advises those who are rushing through life to slow
down so one can learn from their mistakes. This mid-tempo old-school
U.K. R&B smooth groove (think Loose Ends and Lisa Stansfield) and a
few turntable scratches to boot is spruced up with some mild humor as a
laid back male voice hands out the marching orders: “left right left
right.” The follow-up track, “Slow Walk” repeats the main hook from
"Walking" with a list of instructions to better ourselves in that daily
walk. “Survive” captures that sweet soul essence from the seventies with
fairly self-explanatory lyrics. The closing pieces on Something Big
lean more towards pop sensibility. “Are You Ready” is a bouncy
mid-tempo R&B/pop sensibility piece that inquires about getting our
minds right to mature in our faith. While “Catch Me” has a mellow rock
feel, “Sitting with Me” delivers a harder ambient edge (think Plumb and
Evanescence); the latter telling a tale of those who seem misfits when
it comes to the ‘in-crowd.’ The poignant “Homecoming Glory” closes with
an almost unplugged arrangement.
True to their mission as ambassadors for Christ in conjunction with Something Big,
Mary Mary is in the middle of a six-week campaign to encourage those to
stretch out to those in true need - from serving the homelessness to
the elderly. As for the musical content, Something Big
balances praise worship and inspiration, strongly connects with
different age groups and faith levels; and naturally is locked up by the
sturdy voices from Erika & Tina. In other words, Something Big will once again be something special for their growing legacy in contemporary gospel music.
Peggy Oliver
The Urban Music Scene
Posted by Administration at 4/6/2011 6:30 PM 
Categories: Urban Gospel, Gospel
Tags: Music Videos Gospel Music
Categories: Urban Gospel, Gospel
Tags: Music Videos Gospel Music
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