Lenny Kravitz It Is Time For a Love Revolution

January, 2008

The last time we heard from John P. Kee was on the 2005 CD The Reunion. That album featured former and present members of the The New Life Community Choir singing the classics that made the ensemble well known in the field of gospel music. On his latest effort entitled Nothing But Worship, the "Prince of Gospel" has returned with the well-regarded choir for a foot-stomping, hand-clapping set that will satisfy the soul. Recorded live on the Nothing But Worship Tour of 2006 and 2007, the CD serves up 13 songs of pure praise and worship delivered in the modern contemporary style that is Kee's signature sound.

The 10-member chorale gets the spirit stirring with "Right Now Praise" and embodies the exuberant style of worship prevalent in Kee's songs. Grammy, Dove, and Stellar Award winner Fred Hammond blesses "Oh Lord, Our God," which is a powerful performance by these two gospel greats. "It Shall Be" is "feel good" gospel that assures you that whatever you're seeking that the Creator has a master plan. Keep in mind that it's no secret that Kee has always marched to beat of his own drum, but the man takes "Live For You" and goes in the direction of rock music. That's right - gospel and rock and it sounds incredible!

Nothing But Worship is another great album in the John P. Kee discography. The 2007 Christian Music Hall of Fame inductee continues to push the boundaries of gospel music by incorporating different styles and he never ceases to amaze. Nothing But Worship showcases the strong songwriting, unrelentingly soaring vocal performances and true anointing of John P. Kee and the New Life Community Choir. Highly recommended.

January, 2008

Lenny Kravitz's eighth CD, entitled It Is Time For a Love Revolution, should be changed to It Is Time For a New Music Revolution. The John Lennon and Jimi Hendrix vibe that he delivered on his classic debut Let Love Rule has now given way to sappy ballads and uninspired rock anthems like the title track that leads off this latest set. Keep in mind that this is the same man who once delivered hot tracks like "Always On the Run" and "Are You Gonna Go My Way" and was poised to become the next God of Rock N' Roll.

Either the creative well has run dry for Kravitz or he has become too comfortable after the pop success of 1998's 5, which catapulted him to superstardom. Most of the material of It Is Time... sounds like outtakes from older Kravitz LP's or blatant rip-offs of songs from other artists. For example, the second track, "Bring It On," starts off with a guitar riff very similar to Hendrix's "Beginnings," as the drum pattern that has infused other Kravitz recordings kicks into high gear. The other song with the word "love" in the title - "Love Love Love" - sounds like "Tunnel Vision" rehashed from the 1995 project, Circus, even right down to the lyrics in which he speaks of what he doesn't need or want. "If You Want It" is basically 1993's "Believe" redux and comes across sounding tired and dull. However, all is not lost as the current single, "I'll Be Waiting," gives you a glimpse of what Kravitz is musically capable of creating.

A weak attempt at a James Brown feel is all over "Will You Marry Me," right down to JB's signature grunt of "wait a minute." "Dancin' Til Dawn" sounds so much like the Rolling Stones' "Missing You" that I was just waiting at any moment for Kravitz to break out with the "do do do do do da do" line (but it never came). By the time the "Dig In" sounding track "Back In Vietnam" resonated from the speakers, it was painfully obvious that It Is Time... is just as misguided and disappointing as his previous effort, 2004's Baptism.

Maybe after 1998 Kravitz developed the mind state of "build and they will come." But in this new music industry, that is no longer gospel as consumers buy less records from veterans such as Prince, Santana, and now Kravitz. Word has it that Kravitz will resort to giving away copies of his new project in a British publication in the same manner as His Royal Badness. That might not be a bad idea for this CD after all. Kravitz wants us all to believe that It Is Time For a Love Revolution and that he will lead the charge but in all honesty - would you buy a revolution from this man?

If you are a no-holds barred, true fan of Kravitz's music, then this is for you. Otherwise, just hope and pray that one day he will give his fans what they really want -- the on-again, off-again Funk CD that hopefully will be released on the same day as Guns N' Roses' Chinese Democracy.