By Dr. Naima Johnston

   There is no doubt that dynamic sister duo Mary Mary also known as Erica and Tina Campbell, have established themselves as the reigning queens of urban gospel music. Their newest release, The Sound is another successful offering of heavy bass riffs, danceable grooves and handclapping harmonies. Although the album is mostly lacking in exploring new lyrical approaches, the powerful vocals of the sisters and ingenious production of the tracks more then make up for a lack of lyrical innovation.

   The Sound simulates a radio station presenting station identifications between many of the songs and presenting songs that are different enough in genre that one might think they were listening to a HOT 100 station. The young and young at heart will find it easy to bob their heads to songs such as: Superfriend, Boom, and God In Me. One of the greatest strengths of the album is how the songs reach back to draw from the days when musical greatness was the norm. Many of the songs are reminiscent of the early Motown mixed with the beats of the British invasion.

   One of my favorite songs, Get Up states, “What are you afraid of, don’t you know what you’re made of, one of Gods greatest creations take this invitation. Get up, you got a lot to do, 24 hours almost gone!” If you’re feeling unmotivated, play this track to get you going and to lift your spirits!

   Another favorite, Forgiven Me admonishes us to forgive ourselves and leave the past in the past. The sisters sing, “I never ever want to press rewind, never want to go back in time, not much glory in that story but it’s mine, so I’m loving who I am today, past tense past away, finally, I have forgiven me! A song to play when one is feeling low.

   The true stand out on the CD, is the song, Seattle. This is an original idea, approaching a theme familiar to all Christians in a fresh and vibrant way. By far in my opinion the most meaningful song on the album, “Holy Spirit rain like Seattle, overtake my life like a flood, like California, shake what’s not like you, I just want a heart like yours.”

   Once again Mary, Mary presents to the listener a collection of songs that just make you feel good. If you want to be encouraged and if you love to dance, this is an album you need to have in you’re