Now is the Time is the latest release from the brother and sister team of Steve and Da'dra Crawford. After breaking through in the '90's, this album is the "large label" release for the siblings, being released both by CCM label Integrity and mainstream powerhouse Sony.
The Sony backing brings in big name producers Warryn Campbell, Mark Heimermann, and Roger Ryan. The result, however, is an album that lacks intensity, and comes across as a run of the mill, cookie cutter R&B album. They even resort to covering Andrae Crouch's "Jesus is Lord", complete with guest appearance from Crouch, yet the track lacks the power you would expect from a gospel legend.
"Gonna Lift Your Name" and "Now That I'm Free" are the best of this lot, with the latter showcasing an orchestral sound that builds upon itself until the final chorus. Overall, though, Now is the Time is missing something--I imagine it is destined to be one of those albums that simply comes across better live than on disc.
2.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2005Reviewed by Kevin MathewsWow! We know that rock 'n' roll began gestating in the old-time gospel music and certainly it is refreshing to listen to modern soul that reflects its roots in what scholars have termed spiritual music. The brother and sister team of Steve and Da'dra Crawford imbue passion, intensity and exuberance that are hard to find in this day and age of pre-fabricated pop fodder. Now Is the Time is a…The Phantom Tollbooth 2005Reviewed by Burton WrayBack in the mid '90s, Anointed was one of the groups that blazed the way for more widespread acceptance of urban and gospel music. At a time when many fans of contemporary Christian music could not list a single gospel artist (except for Kirk Franklin, who some would label as urban more than gospel) many recognized Anointed. Their song "For the Sake of the Call" did quite well on radio and the…
