Minister Fred Collins & The San Diego Gospelaires - Made Through The Strom CD Review

Minister Fred Collins & The San Diego Gospelaires

I Made It Through The Storm

This month we review the freshman project of a group that has only been together 4 years. That group is Minister Fred Collins & The San Diego Gospelaires. The title of their new CD is I Made It Through The Storm.

This group is on the NO LOC Records label. This relatively new label is sure to make a lasting positive impact on the gospel music industry. The release of I Made It Through The Storm indicates that the label is not only position to deliver a high quality product to the marketplace, but more importantly deliver a product that is full of the Word in song.

The members of the group are Minister Fred ‘Arkansas’ Collins (lead singer and Founder), Cornell Brown (vocals and bass guitar player), Kevin Manning (vocals) and Curtis Harris (vocals). Their bio reflects that each “member of the San Diego Gospelaires has been singing for many years, which is evidenced in their background vocals. They each hail from different parts of the country bringing together a sound that is a synthesis of old and new.” We would agree that the harmony of background vocals is great. Not only have the guys been signing for sometime, they seem to enjoy what they are doing. And, this comes across very clearly in the energy they put into each song.

According to the bio on NO LOC’s website, the group “Minister Fred Collins and The San Diego Gospelaires is comprised of four gifted gentlemen who are dedicated to keeping the traditional sound of gospel music alive. Minister Collins’ love of traditional and contemporary gospel quartet music is what inspired him to form this group through the guiding of the Holy Spirit. His southern upbringing (Arkansas) and bible teaching are clearly heard in the songs he writes and performs.” There is definitely a Word for someone in every song.

One of the first things you will notice about this project is that there are very few original songs; meaning, that many of the songs that have been recorded by others. However, the arrangements and the style of singing that the group brings to each song are definitely original.

For instance, there is a heavy hint of rhythm and blues to some of the arrangements. The opening chord to “Didn’t It Rain” will immediately remind you of The Temptations.

The title tract, "I Made It Through The Storm," is an awesome ballad. If you are having a difficult day, play this song. The message is powerful and it will leave you realizing that no matter what difficulty you may have faced, with the help of the Lord, you made it through. This song will probably not get much air play, but you will find yourself playing it over and over.

Other songs on the project are “God Keeps Doing Great Things,” “Stand Still Egypt,” “Wait A While,” “Crossing Over,” “Life’s Troubles,” “What Will You Do When Jesus Comes,” and “Old Time Religion.”

The song “Thank You Jesus” demonstrates the storytelling talent of the group. The song could have easily been titled A Pray of Thanks. This song is in the style of The Keynotes' Prayer. In addition, they guys share lead duties, which gives each the opportunity to personally say, in song, Thank You Jesus. WOW, what an awesome prayer of thanks in song. By the way, at 5 minutes and 54 seconds, it is deservingly so, the longest song on the CD.

On the whole this first release from Minister Fred Collins & The San Diego Gospelaires is a great project. You certainly want to add this CD to your collection. We give Minister Fred Collins & The San Diego Gospelaires’ "I Made It Through The Storm" an 8.5 out of 10. If you cannot find this project in your local record or Christian book store, you can purchase it from NO LOC RECORDS at www.nolocrecords.com. Click on the title to hear “Stand Still Egypt.”

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