CeCe Winans (CD - 2001)

Personnel includes: CeCe Winans (vocals); Grits (rap vocals); Gavyn Wrigt (conductor); Tommy Sims (acoustic guitar, sitar, synthesizer, bass, drums, percussion, programming, background vocals); Andrew Ramsey, Drew Ramsey (acoustic guitar); Chris Rodriguez (electric guitar); Jerry McPherson (guitar); The London Session Orchestra (strings); Mike Haynes, Barry Green Dennis Solee (horns); Bernie Herms (piano, programming); Blair Masters (Hammond B-3 organ, keyboards, programming); Mark Q. Harris (Hammond B-3 organ); Jeremy Bose (keyboards, programming); Adam Anders (bass, programming); Mark Hill (bass); Scott Williamson (drums); Eric Darken (percussion); Robbie Buchanan (programming); Wendy Moten, Marvin Winans, Anointed (background vocals).

Producers include: Brown Bannister, Robbie Buchanan, Tommy Sims.

Engineers include: Danny Duncan, Tommy Sims, Steve Bishir.

Principally recorded at Sound Kitchen Studios, Franklin, Tennessee and Abbey Road Studios, London, England.

CECE WINANS won the 2002 Grammy Award for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album.

Personnel: Grits (rap vocals); Tommy Sims (guitar, acoustic guitar, sitar, strings, horns, synthesizer, drums, percussion, drum programming); Jerry McPherson (guitar); Andrew Ramsey (acoustic guitar); John Catchings, Jacob Lawson (strings); Doug Moffat, Mark Douthit, Barry Green, Mike Haynes , Denis Solee (horns); Bernie Herms (piano, programming); Blair Masters (Fender Rhodes piano); Jeremy Bose (keyboards, drum programming); Eric Darken (percussion); Dan Muckala, Robbie Buchanan, Adam Anders (programming); Debbie Winans-Lowe, Jerard Woods, Kayla Parker, Lisa Bevill, Micah Wilshire, Nirva Dorsaint, Angel Cruz, Peter Penrose, Roger Ryan, Steve Crawford, Sue Ann Carwell, Wendy Moten, Nicol Sponberg, Michael Mellett, LeAnne Palmore (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: F. Reid Shippen; Hank Nirider; Steve Bishir.

Recording information: Abbey Raod Studio, London, England; SOund Kitchen, Franklin, TN; The Lodge.

Photographer: Matthew Jordan Smith .

Arrangers: Nick Trevisick; Robbie Buchanan; Michael Mellett.

After eight years of performing as a duo with brother BeBe Winans, 1995 saw the beginning of CeCe Winans' solo career, a move that only served to further the artistry and ministry of this singer/songwriter. In 2001, Winans' self-titled release marked her second album from Wellspring Gospel. The follow-up project to her 1999 gold-certified album, Alabaster Box, the release combines a variety of styles, including CCM, pop, urban, R&B, inspirational, and gospel. Winans had no doubt as to the direction and purpose of the self-titled release. In fact, with it she desired for "people to feel encouragement and passion." And the album does just that. Upbeat, energy-filled, and enthusiastic, the project is not only musically diverse but offers hard-hitting messages. The song "It's Gonna Get Better" was written with teen suicide prevention programs in mind, while "Bring Back the Days of Yea and Nay," a duet with brother Marvin Winans, challenges parents to take responsibility for training their children. A definite highlight on the album is the song "Looking Back at You." It is an inspirational track, leaning toward a ballad, that speaks of God's unfailing and unconditional love. ~ Ashleigh Kittle minimize