Trin-i-tee 5:7 - CD Review: The Kiss
Mission Statements, Dreams and Goals:
1) Angel Taylor - "We want to convey hope and positiveness, and that's really who we are. The more popular we become, the more attention will be focused on our personal lives. I think that the best thing we can do for God is to show the world what Christianity is all about through the way we live our own lives."
2) Chanelle Haynes - "We feel like we're still growing as a group, musically and in our ministry, and were excited about where we're praying the Lord is going to take us. We want Trin-i-tee 5:7 to be an international ministry, speaking to people everywhere."
3) Adrian Anderson - "Trin-i-tee 5:7 has a real sense of love, and unity, and purpose. We're not just biding our time. We love what we've built together. We have to live with what we do and the music we make, and that would be impossible if it wasn't from our hearts. And we also have to be good stewards of what we're given. When God blesses you richly, you need to reach out to the world and make somebody else's life a little better than it was the day before. Everything else aside, I think Trin-i-tee 5:7 would be content to be thought of as three godly women."
The three members of Trin-i-tee, Chanelle Haynes., Angel Taylor and Adrian Anderson have come together again to create another contagiously uplifting, energetic Christian CD of "Heart Songs," entitled THE KISS, put together by a team of producers, such as "hit makers" PAJAM (James Moss and Paul Allen), Fred Jerkins, Shep Crawford and Travon Potts, and the Trin-i-tee 5:7 members as well. A lot of hard work came together in this CD to create another great listening / dancing / growing in faith experience for the listener.
Chanelle, Angel, and Adrian each wrote, did the vocal arrangements, co-produced one song, and they all did one together. These "Heart songs" swing across a diversity of musical genres, Gospel, R & B, Soul, hip-hop, rock and pop, with an acoustical ballad song and a little rap thrown in for good measure! All the songs showcase Trin-i-tee's well-known performing style of high energy, no-holding-back, singing from the heart vocals, with interesting harmonies and a variety of tempos / beats. Trin-i-tee 5:7 appreciates good music of all types.
Through these 15 songs, it is clear that the talented women of Trin-i-tee, are women of growing faith, who love the Lord, singing from the heart about a full range of strong, substantive areas of everyday human experience: joy, love, sorrow, excitement, pain, while tying in the hope we have in and expressing our need / dependence on our ever faithful Lord Jesus. While every song on this CD is uniquely inspiring and special in its own right, I have chosen my favorite songs to review in detail, as I don't have the space to do them all, like my heart wants to do.
* HOLLA! - A favorite of this reviewer. Another classic that was written / produced by James Moss / Paul Allen. Described as a "pumping, irresistible slammin' dance" praise song, with a Gospel message that is encouraging, sure to lift your spirits, bolster your faith, if you are feeling down and discouraged.
It has a contagious beat, creative use of synthesizer / percussion / minor & major key musical arrangement, clever lyrics, all trademark elements of PAJAM. Has great vocals from Trin-i-tee, that bring spirit and life to the song, with great harmonies and a touch of rap from James Moss himself (remix version, cut 1). Also on cut 16 of the CD, the song here has a fuller musical backdrop that supports the beat, and chords that support the main melody. The vocals fully carry the melody.
When trials enter our life, we can depend on the Lord to give us the strength, discernment and resilience to weather the storm, through the Holy Spirit, if we turn to Him in prayer and faith.
Lyrical Sample: 1) Have You ever had a day that was so bad, that it took everything you had, to make it through the night? Have you ever had a week, that brought you to your knees, and it made it hard to pray, but you did it anyway?
Transitional Hook: Holla!, does anybody hear me? Holla!,I wonder can you feel me? You must be tried in the fire before gold. Does anyone have to cry? Do you really want to testify? Is that fire burning down in your soul?
Chorus: Hop, Skip, Jump do whatever you do, Never let life get the best of you, To all of yall with your back up on the wall, Get the left step right when you do your move, Let your body feel this boom......
2) Let everything that hath breath, get a praise in like Psalm 150:6. Have you ever totally let yourself be free, To the one who gave you life abundantly.
* Title Song: WITH A KISS - A sad but beautiful acoustical guitar / electric piano / a touch of strings minor key musical arrangement, by the talented Shep Crawford, nicely supports the powerful, heart-felt vocals of Trin-i-tee that tell the passionate story of Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Jesus.
Adrian comments in a GospoCentric interview: "I was immediately drawn to the song because of the lesson it has to impart. Jesus knew the character of Judas, but He also knew that he had to do what he would do. It's crucial in our lives to know the real character of all of the people who surround us."
Lyrical Sample: (Jesus speaks to Judas during the last Supper)
1).It's awfully quiet at the table tonight. In fact, it seems it's hard for you to look me straight in the eyes. Is there something wrong? Do you have someplace to go? Or can you tell, that I already know! You have been with me it seems for quite some time. Though you call me Lord of Hosts, you still have so much to hide. And this is our last dinner, And still you won't say, You're sorry or you'll regret the crime, That you're about to commit.
Chorus: Yes, I know, why you would tell me that you love me. And I Know, why you would stay with me for so long. You got close to my heart so you could break it. And then you made a way, Close enough to my face, To betray me with a kiss.
* LORD - Soulful, R & B / Gospel song, (by Carvin Haggins, Andre Harris and Taleb Johnson) A Beautiful prayer song.
Lyrical Sample:
1) Lord, it's so many things I've got to tell you, But I'm afraid I don't know how. Cause there's a possibility that you'll look at me differently, Lord - Ever since the first moment I spoke your name, from then on I knew that by you being in my life things were destined to change.
Chorus: Cause Lord so many people use your name in vain. Lord, those who have faith in you sometimes go astray. Lord, through all the ups and downs the joys and hurts. Lord, for better or worse I still will choose you first. Oh, Oh.
Bridge: At first you didn't mean that much to me, but now I know you're all I need. The world looks so brand new to me, Now that I found, Jesus. Every day I live for you and everything that I do, I do it for you. What I say is how I feel, so believe its true. Lord, you know I'm true.
*ALL OF MY LIFE - Composed / written by Robert Smith / Adrian Anderson - A mellow, easy beat, prayer of petition and praise sung to a bright melody.
Lyrical Sample:
1) Always knew, Talk to You Your ways, I haven't lived up to, And I was so ashamed. I gotta lotta nerve calling your name, But I need you Lord to rescue me, Lift me out of my misery. I am going down, I need your love to bring me out. For you love is true, and I know you'll bring me through. Breathe in me your love anew.
Hook: You see my heart, stopped beating once. Heartache. I thought I'd never trust again. I couldn't see who could love him better than me. But it's okay, better off this way. In Life you move on. And Lord you helped me grow on, In you love and now my heart is, Free to love again, And my heart it will win.
Bridge: Late at night we, would talk intimately, Hear what I say sincerely praying. Falling to my knees. I need a love that's true. Only You can bring me through. Your forgiveness please is all I need.
* RESCUE ME - A beautiful, perky praise hymn, composed / written by Travon Potts. Easy beat, nice acoustical guitar work, light strings, interesting percussion in Chorus (Hook). Wonderful harmonies, lovely vocals full of feeling.
Praises Jesus as an invaluable source of comfort, support, guidance, friendship, completeness and faithfulness.
Lyrical Sample:
1) I forgot how to smile, Didn't laugh for a while. Then Ya held me in your arms, I was safe from all harm. You appeared out of nowhere. Turned around and you were there. Now I know I am complete. You are here to rescue me.
Hook: You are like a shining light, Bent to bring me through the night. I was lost and could not see. Here you are to rescue me. Hero like in fairy tales. Kind of love that never fails. This is how its meant to be. Now you're here to rescue me.
2) How can I ever repay, All the joy you sent my way, On Your Word I can depend, You are my best friend, When I felt like no one cared, then with happiness you shared, You have set my spirit free, Cause Ya here to rescue.
* WHAT HE WANTS - Composed / written by Eric and Anson Dawkins - With a easy, catchy pop beat.
It is said that Christians aren't perfect, just saved. It is human nature to want to pick at other people's failures, their mis-steps, all for ulterior motives, one of which is to feel better about oneself, or build one's own self-esteem. This song offers some solid advice about how to react to critical people, who won't let a person forget past sins.
We are to strive to please God with His help. "Basically talks about being what God wants you to be, and not worrying about what people say or think you should be. There is a key phrase in the song that says, 'Careful about putting your mouth on me,' and that basically means that you just can't talk about a child of God, any kind of way. If there's an anointing of the white light, you need to be careful of what you say about them." - Eric Dawkins.
The Apostle Paul gives clear guidance on how we are to treat each other: (Galations 6:1-4, Ephesians 4:1-5, Col.3:12-14, and my personal favorite: Ephesians 4:29-30)
Lyrical Samples:
1) Tried to be a people pleaser, but I couldn't please everybody all the time. Found it wasn't very easy, matter fact couple times almost lost my mind. Then somebody had the nerve to say,"Oh, youre a Christian now, but what about yesterday? At that moment I realize, All I wanna be is pleasin' in my Daddy's eyes.
Chorus:Careful 'bout puttin' yo mouth on me, If you got a problem it's not with me, I'm just doin' the will of my Daddy, Only can be what he wants me to be. All I wanna be is a child of God, That's the desire of my heart, number one priority, Is to be what he wants me to be.
2). Not the picture perfect person, I ain't makin' no excuses, then again I'm still reheasrsin', I ain't lookin' for no credit, but there's always that one who won't let me forget it, Always the one in the glass house, to put me in a platinum fubu jumpsuit, with the back out. So if you're comin' to remind me, All I gotta do is look ahead and put the past behind me.
Bridge: I won't worry 'bout a thing, then, I won't play into the same game, But I'm gonna rise above, pay a hater back with love. I'm goin' let the drama slide, Put my feelings to the side, I've lived long enough to know, We all reap just what we sow.(Galations 6:7,8)
* THE ONE FOR ME - - A song of praise and testimony to the love of Jesus. Contemporary Gospel song with piano, strings, light beat. Composed / written by Angel Taylor and Darren Henson and Keith Pelzer. Nice piano, strings, synthesizer, slow beat, soulful. Sweet vocals, harmonies and choral arrangement.
Lyrical Sample:
1) I was all alone for such a long time, Wasted so much of my life with all the wrong guys, When He was right there all the while, Waiting ever so patiently for me to see that He's the only one for me.
Hook: Lord, You are the one who made the difference in my life, Lord You brought the sunshine in. Lord you turned my life into something I can be proud of.
2) I just wanna let you know that God's been good to me. Got to let my feelings show, so glad He loves me. Waited all my life to feel this way. Never been so in love before, Jesus I adore you.
*GREATER THAN YOU AND ME - Composed / written by Chanelle Haynes / Darrell Henson and Keith Pelzer. One of my favorites! Sound track starts off with sounds of war and conflict. Has a catchy, driving rhythm, and a haunting melody written in a minor key. Lyrics offer hope in times of pain, disaster and strife, in a loving God.
Lyrical Sample:
1) Now listen to me, sweet little baby, there's something I wanna say, My heart is heavy, from the pain I'm seeing when I look into your sad eyes. What can I do? What can we do to make it alright? I know your heart is aching, your little knees are shaking. Don't be afraid anymore. It's goina be alright. There's sommething ..
Hook: Greater than you, greater than me, than any mountain's highest peak. Whatever your problem may be know there's a God you could see, He'll hold your hand, he has the key....Greater than you and me.
* 16 AGAIN - Lyrics by Trin-i-tee 5:7. Music by Darrell Henson and Keith Pelzer. Classified as a "smooth, R&B / pop jam."
Through this song, Trin-i-tee reaffirms that the Lord also has a plan for our lives when it comes to finding a loving spouse. This is a romantic love song with its own angle. Chanelle explains," There are a lot of young Christians who might feel like romantic love is taboo, or at least something you don't address in a song. But, we want them to know that there can be a godly kind of love, and a good thing, and something to celebrate.
Lyrical Sample:
1) Right now I feel 16 again, So many memories from back then, When I stayed up waiting for your call, Checking the phone lines when will you call. Cause I've been missing you (And I've been praying too). My heart is racing now, Hoping, some way, somehow That you've been missing me too.
Hook: Remember when, Day dreaming for hours about you. Remember when, First smile, First time you made me laugh. And now we've been Together, two dreamers and true friends. Every now and then, I feel 16 again
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Reviewed by Julie Carr - ChristianMusic.com
Sources: Material from Gospo Centric Records /BRite Music / 421 East Beach St., Inglewood, CA. 90302.
Kirk Franklin (center) has just finished the first leg of his well-received, highly praised Hopeville Tour, with Gospel artists Yolanda Adams and Donnie McClurkin. Trin-i-tee 5:7 were his special guests as well.
