Brent Jones has created yet another amazing album with Open Your Mouth and Say Something, his second release on JDI Records and a great follow-up to Joy Comin’ (2014). This live project was produced by Professor James Roberson (president of JDI), Brent Jones, and the incredible maestro Eddie Brown (music director, keyboards). Musicians include Michel Bereal (organ), A.J. Brown (bass), Ryan Adams (drums), Kamil Rustam (electric guitar), Erick Walls (acoustic guitar), George Dum (percussion, mixing and mastering, editing) and Donald Hayes (arranger, live horns and strings). Jones, who is known for performing with his vocal group T.P. Mobb on albums such as Ultimate Weekend (2007,Tyscot) and Beautiful (2002, EMI), recorded his new project at the Victorious Life Church in Waco, Texas with the Waco Community Choir. The use of a full choir distinguishes Jones’ JDI releases from his earlier albums, as does the live production element, which allows people to feel like they are participants within the performance, instead of just listeners.Continue reading →
Tyscot Records serves up a progressive, in your face with “the real” urbanized, contemporary and traditional musical testimony with Brent Jones and The T.P. Mobb’s latest release, The Ultimate Weekend. As the image on the front cover suggests, this album (their third) will transmit the Gospel from the walls of the church to the street corners and broader outside world. Featuring 17-tracks (15 if you subtract tracks 9 and 17, which are comical theatrical transitions), the compact disc will attract the new school listener from the beginning.
The opening track, “The Ocean,” creates a reflective worship environment that pulls on one’s heartstrings, as Brent Jones contemplates the greatness of God as the creator and provider of the universe. The song takes the listener into a reverent place through a musical vehicle steeped in a secularized, musical styling reminiscent of the group Tony! Toni! Toné! “Spectacular Jesus” is a tribute to Jesus Christ that incorporates earthy, urban lyrics such as “You’re off the chain” and “You are the Man.” This track illustrates how one can serve God in a meaningful way, in his or her own style. “Stone Love” presents a lyrical illustration of God’s love for His creation-true and unconditional-while incorporating a mixture of musical elements derived from soul ballads and Sunday morning worship service.
For those who like their praise couched in old school grooves, Jones and the T.P Mobb have a store of goodies for you. For instance, “Give Him What He Wants” will definitely get your hands raised for the purpose of a call out to God. The groove of this track consists of a ’70s funk foundation that conjures up a “dance and praise” in the basement feel. “I Don’t Wanna Go To The Club” presents a yearning to dance, though not in a secular club. This track borrows from the 1984 dance groove “Egypt Egypt” by Egyptian Lover, and will definitely put you on the dance floor in order to shout with a clean conscious and broadened notion of praise.
While Brent Jones and the T.P. Mobb present an urban contemporary gospel sound, they do not neglect traditional worshippers. For instance, “Cry Holy” is a live recording, which again creates the feel of Sunday morning, reflecting the style of earlier contemporary gospel ensembles such as The Tommy’s. “Blessing With Your Name On It” is a churchy ballad that goes even deeper, stylistically, into the Sunday morning atmosphere. “Praise Break” further demonstrates Jones’ awareness of the traditional Sunday morning worship service and quintessential gospel music message-one’s trying social conditions can be resolved through perseverance and praise.
Put succinctly, The Ultimate Weekend is a must have for the eclectic music lover who seeks to experience various artistic expressions of worship.
Editor’s Note: The Ultimate Weekend is also available on a DVD (TYS-984163-9) which features additional songs not included on the CD.
Posted by Tyron Cooper
YouTube video of “Cry Holy,” courtesy Tyscot Records:
