There are some groups that you know, without even hearing, their new project, that it is good.  You need not wait for a review or your friend to pickup the project and give an endorsement before you add it to your collection.  One such group is The Sensational Nightingales.  That is why it is easy to say that their new project “Let Us Encourage You” is good.  Accordingly, this month we review The Sensational Nightingales’ “Let Us Encourage You.”      

The Sensational Nightingales has been a staple on the MALACO label for many years.  The current members are Joseph "Jo Jo" Wallace, Horace Thompson, Larry Moore and Darrell Luster.  According to MALACO “[a]fter a half-century of recording, The Sensational Nightingales continue to make music that is relevant and inspiring. They have been winning souls and producing strong and steady record sales since Gospel music entered a studio.”  And this new project is certainly inspiring.

In addition, you can depend on the Nightingales’ songs to be scripturally based.  Just listen to “Every Promise In The Book Mine,” “The Parable Of The Sower,” and “Broken Vessel.” The song  “Every Promise In The Book Mine,” is a great ballad.  It will probably not get much airplay.  However, for those who acquire the CD, don’t be surprise if you find yourself playing this song over and over.

The project begins with the Nightingales pushing it to the max with “I'm Taking Back Everything The Devil Stole From Me.”  This is an up-tempo track with great lyrics, excellent instrumentation and superb background harmony.  The project closes with “Just As I Am.”  Gospel Quartet enthusiasts will really like the harmony on this track.  In between these two songs are eleven more that are vintage Sensational Nightingales.

Couple songs will take you back to the Nightingales of the seventy.  Listen closely to “Good News” and “Just Wait and See.”  You will realize that longevity have not taken any of the edge of the Nightingales’ ability to really put their all into a ballad and to bring that sound, that so many enjoy from the seventy, to this current project.

The song “Oh I Want To See Him” should become a favorite with choirs.  This traditional song, that really has not been recorded that often, is given a fresh sound by the Nightingales.  At the same time, the song is does not lose any of its strength.  For the strength of the song is in the words. 

On the MALACO website it is noted that the Nightingales’ “2003 recording, "Songs To Edify," received a Grammy nomination for "Traditional Soul Gospel Album of the Year."”  And that “this follow up release, "Let Us Encourage You," [is] cut from the same cloth. Under the skillful production of Darrell Luster, the group remains faithful to the traditional styling they had a significant hand in shaping.”