Never one to shy away from revealing himself and doing so unconventionally, Kirk Franklin returns to the charts with his strong statement of faith in the conceptual Rebirth of Kirk Franklin. From the deeply personal openin... more »g, "Intro," to the ending, "Outro (the Blood)," Franklin takes us on a journey of faith littered with doubt, struggles, and a sincerity that's hard to resist. This mostly live release includes a handful of cameo appearances by the likes of Bishop T.D. Jakes, Yolanda Adams, and Jaci Velasquez. Such a diverse group of guests mirrors the accessibility of Franklin's music on this release. Ably backed by a tight band and the powerhouse Vocals of Life choir, Franklin takes no prisoners on the blistering "Hosana," "Caught Up," and the Rasta-flavored "He Reigns," featuring Papa San. Franklin's songwriting prowess also surfaces in quieter numbers like "Don't Cry" and "Always." Throughout his meteoric career, Franklin has skillfully combined soul, gospel, hip-hop, and pop into a multicolored tapestry. On Rebirth, Franklin's colors have never shown brighter. --Michael Lyttle« less
Never one to shy away from revealing himself and doing so unconventionally, Kirk Franklin returns to the charts with his strong statement of faith in the conceptual Rebirth of Kirk Franklin. From the deeply personal opening, "Intro," to the ending, "Outro (the Blood)," Franklin takes us on a journey of faith littered with doubt, struggles, and a sincerity that's hard to resist. This mostly live release includes a handful of cameo appearances by the likes of Bishop T.D. Jakes, Yolanda Adams, and Jaci Velasquez. Such a diverse group of guests mirrors the accessibility of Franklin's music on this release. Ably backed by a tight band and the powerhouse Vocals of Life choir, Franklin takes no prisoners on the blistering "Hosana," "Caught Up," and the Rasta-flavored "He Reigns," featuring Papa San. Franklin's songwriting prowess also surfaces in quieter numbers like "Don't Cry" and "Always." Throughout his meteoric career, Franklin has skillfully combined soul, gospel, hip-hop, and pop into a multicolored tapestry. On Rebirth, Franklin's colors have never shown brighter. --Michael Lyttle
Angela B. from WASHINGTON, DC Reviewed on 2/3/2007...
still in package, never played
CD Reviews
KIRK has gone back to his ROOTS!
Dondrick Taylor | Salisbury,Maryland USA | 02/24/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The rebirth of Kirk Franklin is one of his BEST yet.
This True Man of GOD has done it again.
When you think you know Kirk's style of music than he will change and flips the scrip of us.
My GOD the MAN has a GIFT from THE ALMIGHTY HIMSELF.
Each track on this CD is so POWERFUL even the traditional church folks will love it.HOSANNA: HE DID THIS SONG ON THE STELLA AWARDs AND ROCK THE HOUSE LOVE IT A 10+++CAUGHT UP: 10+++ KIRK AND PASTOR SHIRLEY CAESAR TOGETHER BLOW MY MIND AND STRENGTHEN MY SPIRIT911: NOTHING TO SAY BUT A 10+++THE BLOOD SONG: HE DID THIS ON THE B.E.T. CELEBRATION TO GOSPEL MUSIC WITH DONNIE MCCLURKIN, CRYSTAL LEWIS AND JACI VELASQUEZ. OH MY GOD I CRYED AND CRYED AND CRYED! BEAUTIFUL 10++++++++++++BRIGHTER DAY: COME AND GET YOUR PRAISE ON ON THIS SONG 10++++MY LIFE, MY LOVE, MY ALL: BEAUTIFUL KIRK CRYED AGAIN 10+++++++LOOKIN' OUT FOR ME: 10HE REIGNS: NOW THIS IS MY JAM. I JUST LOVE THIS SONG. I HAVE
ALWAYS LOVE "AWESOME GOD". BUT THIS IS JUST PHAT. 10+++++++++++DON'T CRY: I DID CRY 10+THE TRANSITION: 10ALWAYS: I CRYED AGAIN 10+WHEN I GET THERE: 10+++ YOU GO KIRKOUTO THE BLOOD: WITH YOLANDA ADAMS AND ALVIN SLAUGHTER MAY GOD IT MAKE YOU WANTED MORE AND MORE AND MORE OF THEM SINGING THE SONG AND I DID CRY 10++++++++THROW YO HANDS UP: NOW THIS SONG HAS TO GROW ON ME BUT IN TIME I THINK I WILL LOVE IT 7THIS CD IS A MUST TO BUY.
KIRK FRANKLIN HAS DONE IT AGAIN.
THIS IS HIS BEST WORK.
BUY THIS CD AND FELL THE HOLY SPIRIT ON EACH AND EVERY SONG AND LET ME KNOW IF YOU CRY AS MUCH AS I DID.
GOD BLESS YOU!"
Anointed Songs for This Season
Shane Wall | Orangeburg, SC United States | 02/21/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I thank God for bringing this GREAT rebirth to Kirk Franklin! I am certain that his testimony is what each of us hear in the lyrics and melodies of these songs. As you listen to these soulful songs, listen to them within yourself! You will then find that there may be a kinship with Kirk Franklin's love for God that you and he share!
The nickname for this project is "The Church Project" and it fits! The guest Gospel artists present their gifts before the Lord on this project in the true spirit of worship and praise!
Bishop T. D. Jakes adds wisdom and a great seasoned voice to the dialog he and Kirk employ. This song ministers to the pain, fear and aimless wonder of those desperate for answers of peace from God.
If you love Gospel music filled with the presence of God, invest this CD, tape and (I believe) soon coming video into your life and those whom you love! You will be blessed prosperously for it!"
One Kirk Franklin's classics........
UrbanSophistic | Washington, DC | 03/21/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I noticed over the last few years that my man Kirk came under tremendous fire for his fushion of Hip-Hop sound and R&B artists into gospel music. But contrary to what others believed he has gone back to the basics. On, The Rebirth Of Kirk Franklin, he reinvents himself and his sound. The entire album is live with the exception of one track. However one element that stayed the same is Kirk's writing skills and style. The opening song, Hosanna, has such a powerful sound to it. It is upbeat, but highly annointed. This trend continues throughout the album, and the guest appearnces by a variety of Gospel and Christian artists including, Richard Smallwood,T.D. Jakes, Shirley Caesar,Crystal Lewis and DC Talk, adds diversity.This album contains all of the trademarks Kirk has developed throughout his ministry, and shows us he can't be stopped with God as his inspiration. I know you will love this album as much as I do, so pick it up. It's a CLASSIC."
Awesome
thesavvybamalady | Prichard, Alabama USA | 09/06/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I bought this CD a month ago, and I must say that from time to time, I sing some of the songs on there. "Looking Out for Me" is one of my favorites. i had an experience when I knew that the Lord was truly looking out for me, and when I got home, I got out that CD and played it. I know that He does truly look out for me. Other personal favorites are "Always", the part where the children are praying is so precious,"Our God is an Awesome God" has always been a favorite, and this version is phat. "A Brighter Day" is another favorite. I feel this is probably Kirk's best to date. Not to discount the others which were just as good. But I tend to feel that he is going in another direction with his music and this is so good. Highly recommended."
KIRK STRIKES PLATINUM PLUS!!
MAURICE MILLIGAN | HOUSTON, TEXAS | 07/20/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"WELL KIRK, YOU'VE DONE IT AGAIN-ANOTHER CD EXCEEDING OVER 1 MILLION PLUS IN SALES AND IT'S NO SURPRISE-AIN'T NO PARTY LIKE A HOLY GHOST PARTY...CAUSE A HOLY GHOST PARTY DON'T STOP AND A PARTY YOU SHALL HAVE- THE CD'S OPENER THE ANOINTED UPTEMPO TRACK "HOSANNA" WILL HAVE YOU REJOICING FROM START TO FINISH-KIRK BRINGS IT ON WITH THE VOICES OF LIFE CHOIR AND A FULL ORCHESTRA-THE PRAISE IS NOTHING SHORT OF MAGNIFICENT! SPECIAL GUEST SHIRLEY CAESAR TEARS THE HOUSE DOWN WITH A POWERFUL RENDITION OF "CAUGHT UP" IF YOU THINK YOU CAN'T BE MOVED, LISTEN TO THIS ONE. THE HIGHLY ANOINTED "DON'T CRY" WILL HAVE YOU DOING JUST THAT-BUT IT WILL BE TEARS OF JOY AND CONFIRMATION, EXTRAORDINARY PIANO PERFORMANCE BY MR. RICHARD SMALLWOOD. MR. FRANKLIN IS A GIFTED WRITER AND PRODUCER AND HE SHINES BRILLIANTLY ON "ALWAYS" HIS PIANO SOLO IS AMAZING. THE UPTEMPO "WHEN I GET THERE" IS A CROWDPLEASER FOR ALL AGES-AND THERE'S ALWAYS SOMETHING FOR THE YOUTH "HE REIGNS" IS AWESOME IN ALL IT'S SPENDOR-THIS LATINO/REGGAE INSPIRED GROOVE WILL HAVE YOU JUMPING UP AND DOWN, CELEBRATING THE LOVE OF GOD, IT IS TRULY UPLIFTING....IF YOU NEED INSPIRATION, EDIFICATION, THIS IS THE CD YOU NEED..AFTER ALL IT'S NOT A MILLION PLUS SELLER FOR NOTHING AND IF YOU REALLY WANT A VISUAL FEAST TRY THE DVD-FILMED LIVE IN HOUSTON, TEXAS "SPECTACULAR!" ORDER THEM NOW, YOU'LL BE BLESSED IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE!"