Bringing It All Together (CD - 2003)

Personnel: Vickie Winans (vocals); Tim Bowman (vocals, guitar); Mario "Yellowman" Winans (various instruments); Lamont Davis, Jeff Lee Johnson (guitar); Brent Jones (piano); Antun Foster (keyboards); Alan "Snoop" Evans II, Kern Brantley (bass); La Dell Abrams (drums, programming); Derrick Starks, Today's Generation, Michael Winans, Jr. (background vocals).

Producers include: Vickie Winans, Lance Bennett, Marvin L. Winans, Jr., Josiah "Chuks" Bell, Michael Winans, Jr.

Recorded at MVM, Bllomfield, Michigan; Selah, Redford, Michigan; L-Amore, Detroit, Michigan; Morningstar Studios, Springhouse, Pennsylvania.

BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER was nominated for the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album.

Personnel: Vickie Winans (background vocals); Aaron Fuller (vocals); Lamont Davis, Jef Lee Johnson, Tim Bowman (guitar); Brent Jones (piano); Auntun Foster, Marvin Winans (keyboards, background vocals); Tom Petroski, Marvin Thompson Jr. (keyboards); La Dell Abrams (drums, drum programming, background vocals); Audra Alexander, Derrick Starks, Gia Wyre, Leland Bennett, Tim Bowman Jr., Chemistry, Michael Winans, Jr., Today's Generation (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Craig Bauer; Eric Morgeson; Glenn Barratt; Koski Budabin, Dylan; Dorenne Stramler; Steve Johnson ; Mario Winans; Marvin Winans; Vickie Winans; Josiah "Chuks" Bell.

Recording information: L-Amore Recording Studio, Detroit, MI; Morningstar Recording Studio, Springhouse, PA; MVM Studios, Bloomfield Hills, MI; Selah Recording Studio, Redford, MI.

Introduction by: Tim Bowman .

Photographer: Ameen Howrani.

Arrangers: Kai Bell; Candace Bell; Leland Bennett; Michael Winans, Jr.; Vickie Winans; Brent Jones.

Vickie Winans has been making first-rate gospel records for almost 20 years. On Bringing It All Together, her voice is as strong as ever, clear as a bell, and full of soul and grit. The lyrical content of the album is all gospel-based and Winans sounds emotionally involved and quite convincing. Where the album stumbles is in the production. The album was mostly produced by Vickie and members of the Winans family (Marvin L. Winans Jr. and Michael Winans) and it swings wildly from Timbaland-styled rhythmic ballads like "For Everybody" to Latin jams like "Hasta la Vista" to adult contemporary ballads like "I Promise" to embarrassing dance tracks like "Amazing Grace Dance" and "Superman." When they try so hard to sound modern, they sound instantly dated. It is too bad they took such a classic gospel voice and dressed it up in cheap modern clothes. The record also features five remixes of tracks from the album, none of which are particularly exciting or even that different from the album versions. If you are a longtime fan of Vickie Winans, no doubt you will want to pick this disc up just to hear her wonderful voice and will most likely be able to forgive the clunky production. ~ Tim Sendra

The line between Gospel music and R&B has always been blurred, and this installment by one of the shining stars of contemporary Gospel is no exception. Vickie Winans, who has been singing in church since childhood and recording professionally for nearly two decades at the time of this release, fervently confirms her faith in funkified up-tempo numbers, stripped down ballads and all out hair-raising, sing-along testifying. The harmonic sophistication and spot-on vocal arrangements are in large part courtesy of Marvin, another of the famous Winanses. Ms. Winans' enthusiasm does not want to exclude anyone from the Bible's message: not herself ("Shook"), not those tempted by the flesh before their wedding day ("I Promise"), not the little ones ("Kids Love Jesus Too"), and not the hopeless ("Shake Yourself Loose"). While temptation and life's challenges can distract those who would be faithful, there is not only comfort but plenty of joy and just plain fun to be had in BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER. minimize