Review: Julie Kinscheck - Grace With Jazz On Top

Julie Kinscheck – Grace With Jazz On Top
2008, Kip Media

Boston’s own Julie Kinscheck had dedicated her life to changing the world through music. Whether performing on her own, with a Cappella group Faith In Action or PTB, Kinscheck sings about her Faith and belief in God. In 2008 Kinscheck finally took a huge leap of faith and released her debut solo album, Grace With Jazz On Top. Mixing jazz with folk and pop styles, Kinscheck has created a refreshing and vibrant album.

Grace With Jazz On Top opens with Secure Heart, a great little tune that walks the pathway between 1960’s Rock and Country. Secure Heart has the pop sensibility to catch on with listeners. Grace is written in a Rock/Jazz hybrid periodically reminiscent of The Dave Matthews Band. Coffee Song is the highlight of the album; a jazz tune that wants to stray into rockabilly. Coffee becomes the metaphor for romance in a wonderful act of innuendo that’s family friendly. Get In The Water takes us to Dixieland in a pop arrangement. Kinscheck even gets in some mean scat singing in one of the peppier offerings on the album. Other highlights include The Andrews Sisters inspired He Called, Precious, and the martial country tribute to the resilience of Faith: American Memory.

Grace With Jazz On Top is a memorable collection of pop/jazz hybrids full of Spirit. Fans of Christian Pop music will dig Julie Kinscheck.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Julie Kinscheck at http://www.julieksings.com/. You can purchase a copy of Grace With Jazz On Top at www.cdbaby.com/cd/kinscheck.

Review: Faith In Action - Live

Faith In Action – Live

2006, Faith In Action

Following in the footsteps of some of the more talented college a Cappella ensembles, Faith In Action bring the gospel to Pop a Cappella arrangements. Faith In Action is an all-female vocal orchestra based out of Boston spreading the word with harmony and unusual vocal arrangements. Formed in 1996, Faith In Action celebrated their tenth anniversary in 2006 by releasing their debut album, Live; It’s a spirited and spirit-filled release that gets your attention early on.

Courage My Soul is a contemplative and lovely song for quiet moments. It Ain’t Right starts out sounding like a Bobby McFerrin song with a reggae beat and a wonderfully soulful lead vocal. This song also features some of the most vibrant lip trumpeting you’re likely to hear. Promises is about Adam and Eve, and has an old-school sound to it that would have fit right into one of the Sister Act movies. He Shall Be Like A Tree features a memorable melody and a very southern gospel feel to it. The highlight of the disc is Show Me The Way. The lead vocalist here is phenomenal. Bright Glory (If You Miss Me) follows in the same gospel vein and is a great listen.

Faith In Action seems to do their best work in the gospel realm. One or two vocalists in particular really stand out, and the last few songs on the CD are among the best. Overall, Faith In Action Live is a little uneven, but a pleasant listen. This is the sort of ensemble that definitely comes across better in the live environment, as a large part of the charm of these sorts of a Cappella ensembles is their rapport with the audience. The live recording captures a hint of that, but it’s just not the same on CD.

Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Faith In Action at http://www.fia-boston.com/, where you will find links to purchase Live or download individual tracks.