For The Record: The Anointed Pace Sisters - Access Granted - GospelPundit.com // a new blog for gospel lovers

For The Record: The Anointed Pace Sisters - Access Granted

by EJ on Nov.13, 2009 at 12:26 pm, under Music

The latest project from The Anointed Pace Sisters, titled Access Granted, is a collection of music that has utterly snatched my attention from among the other recent releases in my collection. And I’d be remiss in my duties here if I didn’t urge you to check it out.

With more than masterful production from Alex Asaph Ward, the sisters provide tight and intricate vocal harmonies with powerful lead vocals on every track. Recorded live recently in Atlanta, Access Granted captures an energy-packed experience well worth a purchase.

After opening with a brief musical overture of some of The Anointed Pace Sisters’ hits over the years (i.e., “Jesus Be A Fence” and “Safety Zone”), the album launches into the melodic “A Friend,” before settling at the beautiful worship ballad “Daily.”

The project moves seamlessly into “Finally,” a jazzy groove with a driving churchy vamp that transitions well into the next track, “Praise And Worship” (one of my personal favorites because of the complex harmonies and intense band hits).

Proving that the ladies can dominate in any genre, they lay their vocals to “Jesus Will (Do It Again),” a track prepped and primed for a traditional Sunday morning worship service, before sweetly finessing the inspiring “It’s My Time To Blessed.” The album continues to impress through the end, with tracks like “Get In His Presence” and the hit single “If I Be Lifted Up.”

The greatest hurdle that I see the sisters having is one that has less to do with their music and more to do with their artistry– it’s one of branding. With eight sisters in the group, consumers may have a difficult time connecting with any one of them and, as a result, with the sum of them. It would be nice to know more about them as individuals, rather than simply as one group. But as far as the music is concerned (and that’s what I’m actually reviewing here), you won’t want for much more than The Anointed Pace Sisters have given.

As a final note, I want to point out an obvious, but oft-undiscussed trend in our industry. Gospel consumers don’t always seem willing to make room in the industry for multiple types of similar artists. Such is the case as it relates to the concept of a group of sisters, with similar tones, who sing in unison, then split into harmony. The average consumer might say “like the Clark Sisters do?” But the reality is that we can’t allow any artist to have the corner market on a certain style of artistry, especially when God doesn’t dole out grace in limited portions. As evidenced by the Clark Sisters, the Pace Sisters, the Nevels Sisters, and others, excellence abounds in our industry, in this particular style. Let’s support all of ‘em.

*steps off of soapbox*

Buy the album. You will adore it. Click here to check it out.

:asaph ward, clark sisters, for the record, nevels sisters, pace sisters

3 comments for this entry:

sean
November 13th, 2009 on 5:07 pm
Ditto…I love this record… Go buy it yall!

Also June Pace-Martin’s daughter, Lena, did a great job on Finally and Get in His Presence. I hope she plans to record her own album one day
elijah
November 14th, 2009 on 12:57 pm
The Anointed Pace Sisters are awesome. The thing about them is they can just flat foot sing without all the tricks. I had met 5 of them last night and they were all down to earth and sweet. No security and celebrity drama. I also agree with ej that they don’t get their just do all the time. the New CD is awesome as the others in the past. I think they should set up a church tour.
DALLAS
March 4th, 2010 on 2:29 pm
Hello Access Granted was good and I especially Duranice Pace she flat foot sing and one of the your testimonies on youtube I enjoyed was with the Georgia State Central choir and Latrice I hope she goes into more productions because I enjoyed her in What’s Done in the Dark Comes to the light. And I enjoy Melonda because she comes up with some anointing songs thats special about her. And I June enjoy you as well for her spirit filled energy and one thing I can remember you by is when some of those people called their self shouting on just to get on camera I thought that was funny but I still enjoy June. And Phyllis I enjoy her introduction and preaching when she leads and minister through song, You and Duranice. And Dejuaii I was glad to finally hear you lead on a song off access Granted and Lydia I love you because you keep laughter in the family I see and Leslie You just flat foot sing and now that I’ve said something about all the sisters ooh finally Lashun Pace I enjoy her for her high sweet sounding voice and to know even what is going on around you can still lived saved. And I also enjoyed Duranices son on the C.D. and Junes Daughter be blessed to you all