Producer: Jeff Collins
Label: Sonlite Records
Website: www.11thhourgospelgroup.com
I have been a fan of 11th Hour since the first time I heard them (prior to their association with Crossroads). They have a special sound and genuine feel to their music. It’s been fun watching their sound evolve and I really do enjoy what I hear. There really isn’t much in our industry that impresses me anymore, but these guys are different and I am thoroughly impressed. Consisting of Amber Eppinette, Grant Gibson and Jaquita Lindsey, these three unique vocalists come together, culminating into one great sound called 11th Hour…and what a moment it will be when this industry catches fire on what this young group has to offer! Their sound is a fusion of a progressive Southern Gospel and old time, campmeeting fervor; and this latest release showcases that better than anything. Can you tell I’m a fan?
The brass infused, “MOUNTAIN MOVING FAITH” and the funk feel of “LOOK AT ME NOW” get things started perfectly before the tempo slows down as Grant does a great job interpreting the lyric of the dramatic, “LOVE STILL HOLDS THE SCARS”.
Jaquita steps up to sing the driving blues feel of “BOUND” and the song is followed by the triumph of the recording, “HE WELCOMES THE BEGGAR”. Featuring an excellent performance by Amber (who is also one of the writers of the song), the song depicts just how much God loves us and rejoices over a soul that has come to Him…”oh what a moment, everything changes…God in His riches, He lavishes treasure and into His Kingdom He welcomes the beggar!”
Grant steps up to sing the Southern Gospel feel of the exciting, “HE’S ALIVE AND SO AM I” before Amber steps back up to sing the heartfelt, “WHEN GOD SHOWS UP”, reminding us, “when God shows up, tears fall down, feel His Glory all around, praise His Name, Praise Him even now, when God shows up, tears fall down.” Beautifully written by Dianne Wilkinson, Kenna Turner-West and Lee Black, the song is a true highlight of the recording and provides a wonderful moment of worship.
The tempo gets kicked back up for the Dianne Wilkinson penned “CAN YOU BURN”, which is a challenge to the church to “burn with the zeal like you had back then…can you burn Christian, can you burn!”. The song is followed by another jazzy, brass infused number titled, “AIN’T NO BONES”, penned by Sandy Knight.
Jaquita closes out the recording on a personal note with her self-penned tune, “I TRUST”, and does a great job interpreting the comforting lyric.
Without a doubt, this is a career recording and will be the measuring stick for all future endeavors by the group. This release is filled with lots of great songs featuring excellent vocals and musicianship and enough variety to satisfy just about every musical palette. This recording doesn’t just sound great, the lyrical content is superb and there really isn’t a weak sound found on here. I can’t wait for this industry to realize what a true gem this group is. If this recording is any indication, 11th Hour is in store for some really great things!
Track Lising: (stars denote personal favorites)
1 – Mountain Moving Faith**
2 – Look at Me Now**
3 – Love Still Holds the Scars**
4 – Bound
5 – He Welcomes the Beggar**
6 – He’s Alive and So am I**
7 – When God Shows Up**
8 – Can You Burn**
9 – Ain’t no Bones
10-I Trust
