More Than a Melody (CD - 1995)

MORE THAN A MELODY was nominated for a 1996 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album.

Personnel: Yolanda Adams (background vocals); Khalid K. (rap vocals, keyboards, programming); Phillip Ratliff, Denny Giosa, Tom Hemby (guitar); Nashville String Machine, Ronn Huff (strings); Marquis Hunt (saxophone, background vocals); Tyrone Dickerson (piano, keyboards, programming); Marc Harris (piano, keyboards); Terrance Jones, Ben Tankard, Ted Howard (keyboards, programming); Quinn Anderson, J.D. Blair (drums); Eric Darkin (percussion); Redeemed Family Ensemble, The Associates, Phoebe Hines, Tony Terry, V. Michael McKay, O'Landa Draper (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Khalid K.; Denny Giosa; Victor Caldwell; Ted Howard.

Recording information: Benote Project Studio; Costone Studios; K.O. Soundlab; Omni Studios; Quad Recording; Skylab Studios.

Photographer: Peter Nash.

Arrangers: Marc Harris; BeBe Winans.

More than a Melody is a fairly unremarkable album. It's plagued with a pop sound that never quite showcases Adams' voice the way it should be. There are a few exceptions: "What About the Children" is quite moving, as it came on the heels of the Oklahoma City bombing; "Fly Like an Eagle is a quirky, interesting take on Christians awaiting the rapture; and "Take Away has a rich, classic gospel sound. Overall, though, the album is too long and the sound too bland to live up to expectations. ~ Melinda Hill minimize