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Micah Stampley The Songbook of Micah (Dexterity/EMI Gospel)
Released March 2005
reviewed by Andree Farias
Sounds like
the vocal range of Tonx, the occasional, '70s funk sensibilities of Smokie Norful and Israel Houghton, plus some of the balladry of Donnie McClurkin.
At a glance
it's an impressive debut, but ineffective sequencing and a charismatic string of ballads break the flow of what could've been a truly explosive gospel record.
Track Listing |
1. Worthy to Be Praised
2. Sing
3. War Cry
4. Come Holy Spirit (Intro)
5. Come Holy Spirit
6. I Need Thee
7. We Need the Glory
8. He's Great
9. The Well
10. I Am Redeemed
11. At Your Heart's Door
12. Take My Life (Holiness)
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When Bishop T.D. Jakes and rising gospel star Israel Houghton give you glowing recommendations, it's reason enough to stop and take notice. Such was the case with newcomer Micah Stampley, a vocally gifted artist who comes from Los Angeles, but who, in a way, came literally out of nowhere with his assertive debut, The Songbook of Micah. From his youth, Stampley was always encouraged by his parents to develop his musical gifts in the church, and early on he developed an ear for directing, arranging, hearing, and teaching vocal harmonies.
The triumvirate of gospel fire that opens the record does a good of capturing this natural talent, displaying his impressive vocal range, his gift for leading worship, and the tightness of his backing band. He seamlessly channels funk, contemporary gospel, rock, and praise into a homogenous whole, particularly in the rhythmic "War Cry," a call-to-arms inspired by Isaiah 40:3. Like many recent gospel projects, the album sounds this tight because it was post-edited sensibly in the studio, with extra keyboard and orchestral layers added in for supplementary texture.
Lamentably, this retouching didn't do away with a tiresome stretch of ballads ("Come Holy Spirit," "I Need Thee," "We Need the Glory"), which all too readily rely on charismatic sentiment and melodrama. Perhaps they would've been more effective had Stampley funneled them in a more logical manner, since the Sunday morning bliss of "I Am Redeemed" and the breezy pop of "The Well" sound like they could've been good transitional numbers leading to the more worshipful repertoire. These are minor quibbles about a record that's still impressivehis version of Scott Underwood's "Holiness" is breathtakinga confident debut from a young voice crying out in the wilderness.
Micah Stampley The Songbook of Micah (Windham Hill)
Released March 2005
reviewed by Andree Farias
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