The influential and six-time Grammy Award winning aggregation, The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, achieves a marvelous milestone on its brilliant new project, I Am Reminded. The eleven-track set marks the legendary 40+ year-old ensemble’s 30th album. It releases April 6, 2018 via Provident Distribution. It is now available for pre-order on all major digital service providers. The eclectic collection of worship anthems features dynamic solos from soulful singer, Nicole Binion, who has recorded with the choir in the past; Indonesian worship leader, Sidney Mohede, who has written songs for Israel & New Breed; and the duo of Shane & Shane, whose warm harmonies are featured on the instant grat track, “Psalm 23.”
“I am so thrilled about the new music,” says choir founder, Carol Cymbala. “I honestly feel this is by far, the best album we’ve ever produced, in terms of song material and the choir/orchestra sound we were able to accomplish. Although, strong worship and praise components dominate, God has also given us some inspirational numbers that will speak to and encourage listeners facing the challenges of trusting God for every day living.”
I Am Reminded boasts five original compositions that were written by Cymbala, and various members of the Brooklyn Tabernacle Church’s sterling music department. Among the lot are up-tempo congregational stanzas such as “Psalm 150” and “God Surprised Me.” The latter is performed by frequent choir soloist, Pam Pettaway. The new works also include two soulful ballads, “That’s Why God” and the title cut which features Nicole Binion’s heart-wrenching soprano.
Over the years, the choir has relished taking established songs and re-molding them into its own inimitable style. Among the re-imagined musical offerings here are Walter Hawkins’ churchy 1990 classic, “Thank You,” with a full-throated delivery by Karen Rampersad; and singer/guitarist BJ Putnam’s percussive 2013 cut, “Sing A New Song,” which is led by Aiysha McCarthy. Then, there’s a revamp of “Jesus Brought Me Out” which is relatively obscure nationally but well known in the Baltimore, MD area where it was born 30 years ago. The charismatic Sidney Mohede’s velvety-tenor glides over the Jakarta Praise Community Church’s 2012 tune, “Jesus It Is You.”
Choir members, Brandon Camphor, and Durell Comedy, team up on the bluesy, soft-rocker, “Psalm 34.” Finally, Shane and Shane, a Texas-based duo, reprise one of their own sonic gems, a big congregational anthem, “Psalm 23.” This stunning collection of songs is true to the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir’s rich legacy while it also expands the outfit’s musical palette with colorful new sounds that remind us all of just how great this organization has been at maintaining a spirit of excellence while also sharing God’s everlasting love through music for more than four decades.
Carol Cymbala (wife of The Brooklyn Tabernacle Church’s Senior Pastor Jim Cymbala, and daughter of the church founder, the late Rev. Clair Hutchins), founded the 300-voice troupe with eight members in 1973. The ensemble is a blend of ethnic and economic backgrounds, with members ranging from lawyers and doctors to former addicts. Over the years, the choir has performed at venues such as Radio City Music Hall and Madison Square Garden. Aside from their own moments in the spotlight, the choir has backed luminaries such as CeCe Winans and Michael W. Smith. Their amazing legacy includes six Grammy Awards, seven Dove Awards, three #1 Billboard charting albums and over four million albums sold.