Kesi Asher, Staff Reporter
DAVIS
CARLENE DAVIS rocks the gospel fraternity with her seventh album, Rock Me Jesus. The artiste launched the album recently through a special broadcast on Klas, FM 89, and RJR, AM 720, giving the public a wider awareness of the product. Of the 15 tracks, including a hidden track, Davis and her husband, Tommy Cowan, wrote six.
"My personal testimony with raising my, and other children, comes in My Child. I sing about my experiences - understanding who I am - in Ambassador For Christ. Rock Me Jesus, the title song, goes back to my childhood days, growing up in Colonel's Ridge at the foothills of Bullhead Mountain. Back then, life was about family, church and school," explained Davis. Songs of Zion expresses her dissatisfaction with the rising crime in our society.
A wide array of entertainers are featured on her album. Rudy Valentino and Paul Kastic appear as engineers; Desi Jones plays the drums; Othneil Lewis, Chris McDonald and Robi Lyn rock the keyboard. Michael Kennedy and Lloyd Parks appear on bass, and Rudi Valentino on electric and acoustic guitars. Dean Fraser plays the saxophone, and Brother Time, the Ikete drums. Background vocals were done by Cheryl Crooks, Nadine Sutherland, Bunny Brown, Leroy Palmer, Lisa Wilson, Ryan Berry and Naomi Cowan.
DIVERSIFIED MUSIC
The ordained minister, Davis, recently received a master's degree in pastoral counselling and is pursuing her doctorate in the same field. Lecturing and teaching in praise and worship is now part of her ministry. Davis is also expanding her ministry overseas and is due to perform at concerts across Jamaica, the Caribbean and the United States.
In addition, the album is being distributed in the United States and England by V.P. Records. It is also being distributed in Canada by Universal Records and in the Caribbean by Glory Music.
The songs on the album are very diverse, some upbeat, and Carlene handles the range of vocals very well. The different genres of rhythm on the album are reggae, alternative, soul, R&B and some of the songs, like Track 15 and Songs of Zion, have a touch of jazz to the melody.
Draw Me Close is done to a reggae beat and patterns a lovers rock rhythm. Angus Dei invokes praises and Davis' monologue reaches out to the listener.
The mix of up-tempo and slowed songs are well arranged, and there is a smooth flow from track to track. Davis also did a complimentary version of Third World's Try Jah Love, which is also featured on the album. She spoke of the album release as a timely one. "When I think of what we are experiencing in the nation right now with the crime and violence, God has called us for such a time like this," said Davis.
