The Fight of My Life (CD - 2007)

Personnel: Kirk Franklin (piano, keyboards, programming); Kirk Franklin (vocals, spoken vocals, hand claps); Shaun Martin (vocals, piano, Hammond b-3 organ, keyboards, drums, hand claps, percussion, programming); Rahsaan Currie, Jared Foster, Charmaine Swimpson, Tommy Neal (vocals, background vocals); Joy Hill, Daphanie Wright, Melodie Davis, Dapanie Wright, LaTonya Blair, Kurt W. Lykes, Carrington Franklin, Erica Bedford, Austin Symlar, Malik Baker, Shalece Gibson, Chloe Nicole Kibble, Mark Ryan Kibble, Kenyel Jetton, Jakaylin Jones, Senia Santos, Quincy Gordon, Qai Gordon, Jalon Caldwell, Jade Caldwell, Tracey Jenkins, Toni Jenkins, Charlene B. Smith, Zaire Gordon, Johnson, Alexandria, Alondra Johnson, Acaylia Johnson, Javian Carr, Jahi Allen, Jacorah Beasley, Jaylen Beasley, Cornell Woodward, Trenity Scott, Jordan Wilson, Denzell Woodward, Ashley Guilbet, Erica Davis, Jana Bell, LaTonya Blair, Jana Bell, Erica Davis, Melonie Daniels, Lady Joy Hill (vocals); Tre Nagella, Tre Nagella (guitar, drum programming); Rodney Lawson (guitar); Lyndsay Pruett, Luigi Mazzocchi, Charls Dixon, Ghislaine Fleischmann, Igor Szwec, Emma Kummrow, Olga Konopelsky, Gregory Teperman, Charles Parker (violin); Peter Nocella, Elizabeth Lamb, Elizabeth Lamb (viola); Lindsey Smith-Trostle, Jennie Lorenzo (cello); DaBoyz'nBarry (strings, horns); Pete Brewer, Pete Brewer (flute); Carl Cox, Jr., Carl Cox (saxophone); Phillip Lassiter, Tim Titshford, Tim Tishford, Wayna Delano, Keith Anderson , Steve Reid , Dave Monsch (horns); Jerome Harmon (Hammond b-3 organ, keyboards, programming); Jonathan David Wyatt (Hammond b-3 organ, keyboards); AyRon Lewis (Hammond b-3 organ); Braylon Lacy (upright bass); Brian Haley, Robert "Sput" Searight, Todd Baker (drums); Jeremiah Haynes, Maulik Smith (hand claps); Ernest "Ernie G" Green, Ernest "Erie G" Green, Ric Robbins (turntables); Wendy Allen, Audrey Anderson, C. Renee Borner, Autumn Cannon, Sonya Chism, Duane Coleman, Esther D. Collins, Natasha Duskin, Joy Fernandez, Rita Giddings-Johnson, LaCracha Holley, LaTonya James, Felicia Johnson, Emerald Joseph, Lilien S. Lima, Marilis Lima, Peter Maxberry Jr., Angela McCarter, Aletha R. Miller, Derrick J. Morrison, Warren Ramsey, Rosalind Reece, Revoydia Richardson, Kyndal Robertson, Vornadette Simpson, Brian Romero Smith, Jenia Smith, Donnis C. Thomas, Henrietta Vinson, Artherene D. Williams, Katrice M. Williams, LaKeisha Wilson, D'Shondra Rideout, Devon Pettis, Bobby Suiters, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Choir, John Michael Gray, James Hill, John Gray , Anthony Brown , Rodney Carter (background vocals); Ashley Guilbert, Anaysha Figueroa (vocals, background vocals); Sheri Jones-Moffett, Ryan Edgar, Faith Anderson, Darrell Blair, Myron Butler, Nikki Ross, Ann McCrary, Anthony Evans, Caltomeesh West, Deonis Cook, Isaac Carree (vocals); Doc Powell (guitar, acoustic guitar); Tim Rosenau, Todd Parsnow (guitar); Seth Ganwer, Amy Helman (violin); Michael Holub (viola); Sari Reist, Matt Butler (cello); Doug Moffet, Joe Johnson (saxophone); Lloyd Barry, Matt Cappy, Vinnie Ciesielski (trumpet); Jeff Bradshaw, Roy Agee (trombone); Todd Lawton, Keith Taylor (bass guitar); Terry Baker (drums, percussion); Pablo Batista (percussion); Gabriel Patillo (background vocals).

Additional personnel: Issac Carree, Raven Bullock, Princess Nelson, Donovan Owens, tobyMac (vocals); Da' T.R.U.T.H., Carrington Franklin, Erica Bedford, Doug Williams , Melvin Williams, Rance Allen.

DJs: Ric Robbins; Ernie Green.

Audio Mixers: Manny Marroquin; Jason Goldstein; John Jaszcz.

Recording information: Luminous Sound, Dallas, TX; Masterfonics, Nashville, TN; Platinum Lab, Nashville, TN; The Studio, Philadelphia, PA.

Photographer: Sarah A. Friedman.

Arranger: Kirk Franklin.

FIGHT OF MY LIFE continues contemporary gospel singer Kirk Franklin's impressive string of albums combining strong gospel messages with soul, hard R&B, and hip-hop influences. Franklin's testifying lyrics acknowledge struggle on the path to salvation, set to songs ranging from the dramatic ballads "It Would Take All Day" and "Still (In Control)" to the powerhouse celebratory hip-hop of "I Like Me." Special guests include Rance Allen, Toby Mac, the Williams Brothers, and Da T.R.U.T.H.

In the mid-2000s, fans, critics and the Recording Academy couldn't heap enough praise on Kanye West's brilliant, visionary fusion of rap/hip-hop with classic pop textures. But long before West was dominating the pop scene, Kirk Franklin was bringing this same type of cross-genre genius to the gospel world. While he was something of a breakout superstar of his genre in the '90s, he also was creating amazing faith based projects well into the 2000s. Beginning with a boxing ring bell and running close to 80 minutes over 16 tracks, The Fight of My Life packs a multi-faceted emotional punch that might challenge fans of only feel-good, happy expressions of "God is Great, all the time" type songs. Exulting in shouts, interjections, and his trademark talk-rap style over an exuberant female choir, bright orchestrations, and edgy scratches, Franklin uses a brilliant reworking of the Kenny Loggins-Michael McDonald lite pop classic "This Is It" to fashion his upfront statement of faith "Declaration (This Is It)." Through this track, he attributes his ability to come through all his trials to the Almighty's grace, but later, he (or rather, his female entourage) reflects refreshingly on his doubts on the gorgeous, heartfelt ballad "Help Me Believe." Then comes "Hide Me," in which he feels lost in life; while not understanding God's ways, he seeks shelter to help his faith grow. More than simply, wonderfully honest, ultra-hip gospel, this is modern-day Psalming at its best. Blending grooves, horn textures, choir textures and in your face rap, the fight constantly balances trust ("He Will Supply," "Jesus") with the darker issues confronting the idea of maintaining faith in a difficult world. The angry, blistering rock guitar driving "I Am God" underscores the tension of wanting to break free while God keeps pursuing and asking for our trust; this track breaks the typical Franklin mold and sounds more like crackling, anthemic Christian rock. The message is always the artist's focus, but with so many tracks, the stylistic diversity (from buoyant, atmospheric '70s disco on "Still in Love" to the tribal African vibe of "I Like Me" and the torchy ballad "Chains") makes the disc a soul-stirring blast from start to finish. This is one fight that will leave the listener smiling through the bruises. All contemporary gospel should be this musically joyful and lyrically raw and honest. ~ Jonathan Widran minimize