Search - O'Landa Draper :: Above & Beyond

O'landa Hit the Ground Running

Quentin J Brown | Decatur, Georgia United States | 06/29/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Having just got into the gospel scene about the time this album came out I was very impressed. By current standards the instrumentals may seem a bit out dated, but for those of you who still enjoy the the strong and revernt vocals of the 80's then this is a MUST HAVE. O'landa Draper had not yet tapped his true potential at this time, but the music is definately in the running with the big choirs of it's day. He has done a stirring remake of "It is Well" that brings the choir in for a vamp that takes the ministry of unconditional love for Christ to another level. "Nothing but the Blood" is an exciting, get up on yo' feet and dance song that carries excellent vocals. With at least four movements to the song it ministers the purpose for the blood and Jesus then takes you into the the joy we have because of the blood of Jesus. Then there is "He Brought Me Through." This is a song of testimony with vivid verses sung in a passionate fashion to help illustrate our utter loss without the hand of God to guide us. You can practically hear the personal experience of the vocalists from within the words. Like "Nothing but the Blood" the song concludes with a testimony of the joy of being brought through. Collectively this is an album of POWER. The Associate managed to fit right in with the music of the day and not spare Christ in the process. One can not listen to this CD without hearing the word of God. Every song has been pulled from the scriptures, and has been breathed on by God. Nothing ministers like a convicted soul, and and the Associates are definately convicted to serving God. The CD even ends with a prayer for each other as they go their seperate ways letting us know this is a crew that take the Lord home with them."