Return

December 1st, 2006

Title: Return
Artist: The Anointed Pace Sisters
Label: Tyscot
Catalog no.: TYSD-4154-2
Date: 2006

The Anointed Pace Sisters (TAPS) mark their re-entry into contemporary gospel music with their latest project, Return. It has been ten years since the sisters have released a commercial album as a group. When asked about their long hiatus from the gospel music scene, Lydia explains that they had to wait for God’s timing and could not simply create the album when and how they wanted to complete it.

TAPS is one of the most celebrated sister-singing groups in gospel music. They were trained in ministry and song in their father, Murphy Pace’s Atlanta church. Singing has always been a family venture. From an early age, the family would rent a fifteen passenger van to transport the nine Pace sisters, parents, and brother to singing engagements as far away as New York. Through those tough years, the sisters of TAPS have persevered and refined their collective and individual callings. Consequently, over the last decade TAPS has gained film experience through the movie Fighting Temptations starring Beyoncé Knowles and Cuba Gooding, Jr., as well as commercial music experience. Individually, some of the sisters have become pastors and ministers while others are renowned worship leaders. However, it is the ministry through music that bonds the sisters of TAPS.

TAPS’ latest release, Return, is a collection of praise, worship, and inspirational songs that were recorded live in Atlanta. The project features several songs that were written by the sisters including “Contentment” written by Latrice Pace Speights, “Reign Forever” by Melonda A. Pace, and “The Words U Said” by Phyllis Y. Pace and others. “He’s Here” is a worship reunion that features former TAPS member and current solo gospel artist, LaShun Pace. As a bonus, the last song on the album is a Terrance Parker house remix of their first single, “High Praise.”

The sisters describe the sound of this project as a mixture of contemporary and gospel influences. They intimate that their multi-generational sound is a reflection of the three generations represented in the group. But the sisters are united in their view of the purpose of making gospel music. They all know that God and the gospel of Christ is the most important message of their music and they enjoy using song to encourage others.

According to Duranice, Melonda, and Lydia Pace the recording of Return was a long process that required their full reliance on God. In their mind the story of TAPS is the story of sisters who are called to do ministry through music. Paramount to any level of success is their commitment to their ministry. That covenant along with their bond as biological sisters keeps them grounded and dedicated to bringing out the best in each other—without any jealousy. The sisters credit their mother’s reminder to respect each other and “stay in your own lane.”

Return represents the time-tested music and ministry of sisters who have grown up in gospel music. When a listener experiences Return, they are hearing the various testimonies of women who have persevered to deliver a message that is encouraging and uplifting. This project marks the return of some of gospel music’s most gifted voices, the return of family-centered music, and the return of The Anointed Pace Sisters rendering the music that they were born to create.

Note: Based on a November 2006 telephone conversation with Lydia, Duranice, and Melonda of the The Anointed Pace Sisters.