STYLE: R&B RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 17168- LABEL: Mylestone 523286 FORMAT: CD Album
Reviewed by Dawne B Stewart
International gospel/soul lovers and radio stations are sitting up and taking notice of singer/songwriter minister John Butler and 'So Real'. But why now? - this is his fourth release. Well, John's previous three releases were on the traditional gospel tip. But with this album comes a phenomenal transformation of musical style. Moving into the gospel/jazz//R&B genre, John offers this excellent "you've gotta get it" album (although you may struggle). It's finely crafted, full of inspiration, has wonderfully light yet passionately delivered vocals and oh my gosh, such smooth, jazzy, classy grooves. Lovers of the R&B groove won't be able to get enough of it. The opening is smooth, mixed, anointed vocals which cause you to really believe "Everything's Gonna Be Alright". Remember the tune "My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less"? To say reworking would be an understatement, check out "Sinking Sand" - you've gotta hear it to believe it. Then there's the secular DJ favourite "It's Got To Be Real" injected with a little new jack swing. This top quality album deserves major national distribution.
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