Sunny D - One Bad Azz Drink!

Getting on any random Metro Transit Bus, you run into a lot of things on the bus that you think to yourself  "Where did this come from". During my commutes, I run into a lot of items left on the bus. A couple weeks ago, I found a bag with Sunflower Seeds and Bowling Shoes.

Yes, Bowling Shoes.

In the "OMG- Thats Madd Ghetto" Dept, I saw a weave track chilling in the aisle of a bus.

Now last week took the cake, not from what it was, but the reaction to it by the riders.

I catch the 355 Bus from Downtown Mpls to one of the Park and Rides in Woodbury. It's one of the articulated buses and they come often and usually get's full by time we hit 94 East. At the most, there's 2-3 people that board this bus at it's first stop at the 5th Street garage so you have your pick of the litter. I normally sit in the same spot everyday.

On this particular day, there was a passenger (or stowaway) on the bus before anyone boarded.

Sunny muthaf*$&kin D! Straight chillin! I mean, no OJ, no Soda, and damn sure no Purple Stuff!  I laughed at myself and didn't bother to move it because I wanted to see how bad azz this gallon of D was. Will it get up and let someone sit down? Will it realize it's on the wrong bus, pull the string and simply get off?

Nope

It appears Sunny D was tired and it demanded a seat. I'm not mad at'em.

Most of the 355 riders are professionals who after debarking the bus, gets in their Mini-Vans, SUV's, or Hybrid vehicles. They don't want any trouble and is nice and orderly when exiting. These mild mannered people just sit and read their Nooks or look at reports via their laptop, or look at stocks on their iPhone app. Clearly someone will ask Sunny D to give it his seat for the 40+ minute ride to Woodbury.

Yeah right Sunny D said. Not only did no one move Sunny D for it's seat, but people actually STOOD for the ride.

Sunny D - Oh my...you're so Gangsta!!

Jamar Esaw and Triad: 4 Chirst "Prepare Me" CD Breakdown

Number one, let's be clear. When I "Review" a CD, Movie, or (pick your media here). I simply break it down. Unless it's something I can personally do, I can't really critique...I can give my opinion. Especially in Music. Now, I can't sing a lick(but I can talk real good). I do, however-have an ear and my attention to detail drives people nuts. Ok, I'm ranting.

Oh with it.

It was a number of years ago that I was deep in the middle of Watch Night service at my Church. While a few put up that baptist finger before midnight to get them some Church in before they bring the new year in at (enter a Club here), I was invited to an New Years Eve "After Party" if you will. The party - well musical was being held at New Salem Baptist Church on the North Side. It was a crazy cold night and we had a few people from my Church show up as we sat together in the rear of the very last pew.

After a few selections from local acts. The person who invited us was on deck with the group she also sings with aside from the Church Choir. From my vantage point, I could not see the entire group as New Salems' Choir Stand is off to the North side of the Church (The Pulpit is on the West Side...see? details). 

This group of young singers immediately wake me up as it's about 2am at this time. I didn't care what song they were singing, I was paying attention to the dynamics of the vocals with much detail to the Sopranos. The group were being led by a young energetic young homie. The kind I'm sure would run around as a kid non stop(he's still running around). This was my first and Thank God, not my last time hearing Triad: 4 Christ (T4C).

Since then, I was blessed to see them at High Praise, complete with the T4C Air bushed hoodies. Then again at the MOA during a Christmas performance(I didn't think that stage was goign to hold all that "Praisin'). Then I good a real treat as T4C performed one night at a revival my Church was having. I recorded the 3 selection (that's A, B, and C for all the Church folks playing at home). I still have those songs and still listen to them.

We got word that T4C was going to record a few live songs for a future(way future release) at Redeemed, also on the North side. Once again, Juiceman was in the Holy Building for that event. After the session, the buzz was abound for the release of this CD, but we waited. We waited again as Jamar host a music conference at Shiloh Int on Broadway Ave(I'm sensing a pattered here) :) that also featured Vashawn Mitchell, who also released a CD in 2011.

After another conference in 2011, performances at the MOA and around the country (shout out to Waterloo Iowa...a place that I tease is Triad's 2nd home. So that brings us to the CD Release on April 30th at Shiloh Int. American funnyman Martin Lawrence didn't get the memo as he performed on the same night in Minneapolis. So it was either, get your laugh or praise on. I chose the latter. I arrived a lil late on purpose because I know T4C don't always make it to the stage on time, but for no fault of their own(most time they're put on the bill last in an attempt to get people to stay. Headliners indeed.

They made the event short and sweet as they only went through 3-4 songs and a snippet or two. Next thing you know, I'm going 94 East(after making a Popeye's Run) listening to "Prepare Me"

PASS ME NOT

This is to me T4C's flagship song as they took a new swing at the old classic cut. I'm surprised to see this as the first selection, but it could be a way to give the faithful a shot of T4C's signature song, as there are plenty of Gems to come on the CD. As usual, Jamar gives all 3 sections a good vocal workout. This has a more crisper sound as I'm sure some changes were made post production. This new version never gets old(as a couple 7 yr olds were singing this and other cuts word for word. The kids are listening people.

I WILL PRAISE

After a nice high and then low intro that's drum heavy, we get to hear Jamar lead it off. Something we mostly get live unless it's a ad lib. We are treated with a few bars of  "Mars" before he passes the baton to Demarcus Green of James Greer an'nem. Albeit the pass sounded hurried by Jamar, but DG took it and quickly ran in stride. It only took 2 songs before we get to hear the precision section vocals of T4C. Jamar took it up another notch during the CD release. One of my favorite parts of the song is at the 4:25 mark when the band broke down each note right before the trademark section trade off.

PREPARE ME

The initial blend of the the sopranos and altos are hauntingly precise and on point. Even down to the quick piano riff 3 quarters of a minute into the song. It's anchored in the middle by the vocal testimony and direction of Jamar. The instrumental turns jazzy in the last few stanzas as the mood turns back to the original arrangement including the mighty, but smooth Tenors. Just receive what he has for you.

CLOSE TO WHERE YOU ARE

The intro starts Be Be/Ce Ce like with a rock element to it with the introduction to the electric guitar. Sara Renner gives an Amy Grant fused vocal prayer to this personal sounding lyrics. Some songs should not be sung by no one else as Sara knocks this one out the park..or the Church. T4C almost takes a back seat and play the supporting role is this song. Down right inspirational.

MAJESTY

This may be one of the songs that was actually saved from the Redeemer live recording as its starts with the sound of a live audience. The trademark vocal dynamics also shine here, as we hear right from the jump. Not heavy in lyrical content, but they somehow manage to intertwine a chorus and bridge for the length of the song. Perfect for a Praise dance ministry performance. Cameron Wright comes in to bat clean up and bring this high pitch on the latter end of this classic praise song.

CARIBBEAN PRAISE

Ok, get your virgin Pina Coladas out and swing on your Hammock in this sun splashed inspired ditty. I don't know the cat who sung lead on this on the CD and the CD release. Could be the same cat. I'm not sure since this was my first time hearing this. I was drunk, Holy Ghost drunk! Whatever the case, he coats the track with coconut milk consistency and T4C's ladies had to get lower on this one, but they pull it off will. Dead smack in the middle, the vocalist breaks of off with a little but of Jason Mraz as if that lyric was made for this song. Great touch. Perfect timing as one of these days, summer   spring will get here soon enough. This track isn't for everyone, but let the breeze hit you.Yeah Mon.

OH GIVE THANKS

This is yet another smooth gospel great that you can put on repeat and drive all the way(to Waterloo) before you select another track. The vocals are arranged with precision(again) and great discipline as every syllable is crisp. The heavy synth brings a settle, but throwback sound to this. The tenors and altos play a friendly game of cat and mouse before the sopranos come and break it up with their steel pipes. This is the reason Church's are built with the highest grade roofing material.

I'M HIS - HE'S MINE

Don't get this confused with MOKENSTEF'S "He's Mine" from the 90's. Yes, both songs are streaking dedications to someone, but in this case, it's Jesus, and everyone can get some JC in their lives. To be sure, this does have a distinct R&B Groove to the base line. Rachel Jackson comes in and let the record straight. I'm His, He's Mine. Even some early Hip Hop influence with the call and response arrangement. Jamar even manages to get a lil bit on this track. I nice strong sermon is Fish, and this track would go great as the bread.

THE LORD WILL MAKE A WAY

Ok, I'll admit it. As we walked out of the CD release with CD in hand, the FIRST thing I did was look to see if this song made the cut. THANK YOU!!  This is one of the songs I was able to record from T4C during the revival mentioned above. Clearly my favorite T4C song and the live recording of this song was a great experience. Even if they had to re-record various parts. Jamar will kill me for this, during the revival recording, his ad-lib about the next lyric was wrong. I chuckle every time(don't worry J, this early recording will stay with me and only me homie) I hear it.

I see a nice intro medley was added to the finished recording, which works for me. I was a little worried at the initial listening, but they fused it nicely. The drums on this is pure bananas and you can best believe I'm going to tear Lake St and Broadway with the BASS on TEN. People call me crazy, but when listening to the CD version, I was grooving to the loudest and quietest of the journey, but a strange thing happened....

...the music stopped. Well sort of. The clear cut favorite part of the CD to me is at the 6:24 mark. The Alto's come it with their "Some how's" and then the Tenor's get their stab at "Somehow", but it's the second "Some.." from the Sopranos that stands out to me. That clever little musical pause and fantastic and madd kudos to whoever added that small, but powerful part. Let's not forget Jamar running in like they are going to stop turning the rope, but he has to get a couple jumps in before the song descends. Still a nice touch at the end to bring it home.

WORSHIP HIM

Remember when I mentioned the MOA stage not being able to handle the praisin' goings on? Well this is the song that continues to rock Malls, Churches, Buses, Van, and Segways. It's madd bouncy and now I understand why Pass Me Not is up first. Worship Him is the Ying to Pass Me Not's Yang. So using these two strong songs as the CD's Book Ends are truly a good look. This CD get'cha coming and on your way out the door....waving that baptist finger.

NOTES:  During the CD Release, Jamar commented on the complaints from people wondering when this CD is Coming out. He wasn't in a rush, but at the same time, that means there were a demand for this CD to come out. He took his time, they raised funds, they campaigned and traveled. Some members didn't last, but I'm sure they are just as proud. So when you see the dynamic group from Minnesota on national TV singing the lords praises, do know that it wasn't overnight (and it never is).

I highly recommend pick this up.

Prepare Me can be purchased on iTunes.

Juice.  Out

George "Juice" Hall

Head Sound Engineer

New Hope Baptist Church

St. Paul, MN