Trin-i-tee 5:7, Angel and Chanelle
By
Lindsay Williams | contributing writer, watchgmctv.com
Posted: Thu, 05/26/2011 - 17:21
With a renewed commitment to being fearless in their artistry and a fresh collection of songs filled with two-part harmony, Trin-i-tee 5:7 is ushering in a new season. The group is now a duo, following the exit of longtime member Adrian Anderson. Anderson left the group on amicable terms to pursue her own cosmetics line. Founding members Angel Taylor and Chanelle Haynes both felt called to continue the ministy of Trin-i-tee 5:7. The resulting album, aptly titled Angel and Chanelle, doesn’t miss a beat or deviate from the sound long-perfected by the group. In fact, at times, the voices are so lush, you can’t tell they are down a member.
Part Mary Mary, part Destiny’s Child, Angel and Chanelle, showcases the versatility of the ladies’ talents. Songs bounce from inspo to AC to gospel to urban to R&B and back again. This is, in part, due to the large number of producers who left their fingerprints on this album. Nine producers in all were at the helm at one time or another giving the release plenty of diversity. Although the album isn’t choppy, it would have made for a more cohesive project if the list of producers had been narrowed down. However, the talent used for the record reads like a who’s who list in both Christian and mainstream circles: P.J. Morton (India.Arie, Men of Standard), Surefire Music Group (Ne-Yo) and Stan Jones (Marvin Sapp, Brian Courtney Wilson), among others.
From the sassiness of “Let It Go” and “I Don’t Need a Reason” to the mid-tempo sway of “Some Kind of Amazing,” the ladies’ commitment and ability to share their faith with style and class is evident. They even throw in a bit of funk and R&B with bold beats and lyrics on “New Day” and “Bring Your Praise.”
“Over and Over" (featuring P.J. Morton) proclaims the abundant blessings of God, while “I Worship Your Name” is a stirring praise song worthy of sitting beside worship songs from Kirk Franklin and Israel Houghton. A few songs, like their cover of Prince’s “The Cross,” lack originality and seem outdated. They really shine on the modern cuts that better align with their mainstream counterparts. Mathew Knowles adds his modern flair on “Just Remember,” rounding out the album and reminding listeners why Trin-i-tee 5:7 fits so well on Beyonce’s father’s label. While the regular version of the disc contains 12 tracks that will satisfy, longtime fans will enjoy a deluxe edition that includes five additional songs.
Lyrically, the songs address a cross-section of themes, but the common thread that holds true is one of unconditional love and acceptance stemming from the girls’ newfound freedom in discovering who they are as performers and relishing in the new artistic rhythm they have found as a duo.
Angel and Chanelle re-establishes Trin-i-tee 5:7’s position in the industry and charts their new course as a party of two.
