Is it just me, or aren’t you kinda hoping Carl Thomas will do a gospel album?

Remember that track, ”Angels,” that he did on Donald Lawrence’s I Speak Life album?  Geeeeeeeeez!

Some folks in gospel were skeptical of Michelle Williams when she entered the industry solo– she was at the height of success with Destiny’s Child, and folks kinda gave her the side-eye when she said she was doing a solo album, and that it would be a gospel project.  But whatever.  I knew a Jewish girl in college who loved Michelle because of Destiny’s Child… she bought the GOSPEL album in week one, telling me how much she enjoyed the uplifting lyrics, asking me if all gospel was this good.  Score one for the Kingdom!

In any case, THIS WOMAN has some GREAT albums with great songwriting and production… I started typing this post to talk about her sophomore gospel project, Do You Know, but as I worked on it, I thought “nah, they need to go back to the BEGINNING.”

(Still check out Do You Know, though… it features production and songwriting from Tommy Sims, PAJAM, Dawkins & Dawkins, Cedric & Victor Caldwell, and a BUNCH of other musical heavyweights.  INCREDIBLY slept on.)

In 2002, Michelle Williams entered the gospel industry with her debut project, Heart To Yours.  It peaked at #1 on Billboard’s gospel chart, #3 on the Christian chart, and featured the popular single “Heard A Word.”

But the album was FULL of hits, in my opinion.  Let’s start with the guest spots:  Mary Mary joined her on the infectious “So Glad,” Shirley Caesar on the downright churchy “Steal Away,” Men Of Standard on the ain’t-no-joke worship ballad “You Care For Me,” and Carl Thomas on her remake of the classic BeBe & CeCe hit “Heaven.”

Lest anyone think that she thrives only when other vocalists join her, though, lemme tell ya: she absolutely holds her own.  From the BANGIN’ track “Rock With Me,” to the feel-good “Sun Will Shine Again” (pay special attention to the intricate background vocals on that one), to the head-bopping ”Everything” (check the bgv’s on that one, too).  People, I mean it: this album plays well straight through, from beginning to end.

For your listening pleasure and musical conversion, TWO tracks– “So Glad” feat. Mary Mary and “Sun Will Shine Again”:

Aight, fess up, folks.  Who slept on it and why?  Who owns it and knows what I’m talkin’ about?! Anybody gonna check it out now?

Talk to me!