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Tyrone Powell & The Friends of Christ
The Relationship Project
Gone are the days when quality Gospel came exclusively from the big name record conglomerates. It's no longer a 'story' when a superb CD comes from the offices of a smaller label. This time out, the label is Smith Gospel Music, the same group who brought us the latest from Lorraine Stancil.
Innovative and fresh, Tryone Powell & The Friends of Christ (FOC) debut with a production-driven set that brings melting balladry together with with downright edgy approaches to musical ministry. The album is titled The Relationship Project, which serves to encompass their ministerial focus. They describe that as a dedication to "the renewing, restoration, and development of relationships with the Lord, spouses, family and friends."
The final cut on the CD is "The Call", and serves to encompass the title concept. The lyrics emphasize and exhort the importance of a relationship with The Lord Jesus Christ: "The Lord is calling / Calling for relationship / Don't you hear him calling, calling / Calling your name". The cut begins with a soft and simple structure, with the chorus underlying various vocal ad lib leads, before developing into a focused worship. Simultaneous personal worship prayers by individual choir members becoming evident by the time the cut ends.
Typical of the offerings by the 14-member choral ensemble is "Awesome God", which only vaguely resembles the familiar contemporary hymn by that name. FOC turns it into a worshipful musical adventure, complete with punchy vocal interspersions, DJ ad libs and various electric guitar add-ons.
"That's What I Bring" is another quality praise groove, albeit a short one, with Tyrone Powell bringing lead vocals, as he does for many of the cuts on this disc. Equal on the groove scale, but with a different vibe, is "Jesus I Love U", which excels as a personal one-on-one song (sing along with it, and you go straight into worship). It's an urban smoothie with a perfect mix of soft vocals, gentle keyboards, and riding rhythms.
Thirteen tracks deep, The Relationship Project seldom disappoints. The lyricism is worshipful and personal, the music is keyed by innovation, and propelled by excellent production. And from the opening seconds, it is obvious that this is a choir that sure enough sings.
Producer: Tyrone Powell
album release date: January, 2000
Smith Gospel Music
— reviewed by Stan North —
- Gospel Flava Magazine CD review
Discography
He's Coming-1993 (Innerman Sound)
Relationship Project-1999 (Innerman Sound)
Power and Purpose- 2001 (Innerman Sound)
Inside Out- Coming June 2006 (Innerman Sound)
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Known for his dynamic, inspiring and anointed music ministry, Tyrone is quickly becoming one of the most sought after, respected and requested worship leaders around the country and abroad.
Tyrone Powell is ignited with a deep passion to fulfill God’s purpose for his life and the lives of those he comes in contact with; His driving force is to portray integrity and the honesty in worship through his daily walk. Wherever he ministers, Tyrone exudes, encourages and heartens his listeners to intensify their relationship with God and begin their divine mission and destiny with Christ.
In 1999, he released his first CD project entitled "Relationship Project" which went on to win the JPFOLKS "Album of the Year Award" and in the coming year he was nominated and won the "Best New Artist- East Coast Region Award" given by 3Fold Music Group held in Baltimore, Maryland. As God began to open doors for him, he was asked to write the entire musical score for the stage play "Girl God’s Gonna Love You Anyhow" which opened at the historical Lincoln Theater in Washington, D.C. In addition to all of these God-provided opportunities, He has also had the privilege of sharing the stage with many of today’s gospel and praise and worship greats such as: Helen Baylor, Daryl Coley, Richard Smallwood, John P. Kee and Martha Munizzi. In 2002, he also appeared on the legendary Bobby Jones Gospel Program which airs on BET.
Besides being the founder of several ministries, Tyrone is known and respected as a savvy and wise entrepreneur, including, but not limited to, Innerman Sound Productions Inc., the newly formed recording label, Innerman Sound Music Group and coming Spring 2007 “Rhema Wear” Fashions. The ministry that Tyrone is most proud of is TP Ministries; a non-profit organization founded in 1999 considered by many a triple threat ministry; combining music, Worship leader development and praise and worship training seminars. TP Ministries is known for its great mentorship of worship Leaders developing and instructing them on how to organize, manage and develop the people that serve with them and focusing on building stronger music departments and not just good music and singing. Currently TP Ministries’ and Innerman Sound Productions Inc., reside in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
In the midst of it all, Tyrone enthusiastically and unequivocally states that, “It’s not about putting on a performance; it’s about bringing integrity in worship and excitement to the people while ushering in the presence of the Lord.”
Currently, Tyrone resides with His family in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
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