| Marvin
Sapp Marvin Sapp has one of those voices that is instantly recognizable. During his six-years with the award-winning group Commissioned, Marvin became a distinguishable vocalist with a style all his own. But Elder Sapp is really a preacher at heart, delivering a fervent message of saving grace to a world often unwilling to hear. And whether he is delivering that message on the streets of urban America or singing it in the largest concert halls, Marvin conveys it with a fervor few possess. And on his sophomore album, Grace and Mercy, Marvin's zeal for the message is evident as he swings, sways, rolls and rocks through some of the strongest music of his already estimable career. Marvin has been a long-standing member of urban Gospel supergroup Commissioned until the explosive growth in his own JOY Ministries, based in his hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and his burgeoning career as a solo artist forced him to leave the group at the end of 1996. Marvin's debut album last year soared out of the box with No. 1 radio hits with Calling Me and In His Presence. Grace and Mercy promises to follow in the steps of its hit-filled predecessor, even though Marvin says this time he consciously moved things in a different direction. "This album is more for the church," he says. "There's still a strong, funky rhythm section happening -- you know I've just got to have that -- but the vocal arrangements are more choral in nature. My choir, the Joy Crusade Chorale, and I recorded this live, so there's a very different energy happening. It's also the kind of songs that local church choirs can sing on Sunday and make their own." Seeking to break down barriers between traditional and contemporary music, Marvin co-wrote three of the album's nine songs with some of the major hit-makers in Gospel today. Marvin and Aaron Lindsay joined forces on the Gospel quartet-flavored ballad, For the Rest of My Life "This is a song about a relationship with God," says Marvin. "This is a guy sitting down thinking about his life and how God has met all his needs. And his conclusion and commitment is that for the rest of his life, he's going to live for God." The album title cut is a collaboration between Marvin and Gospel's red-hot producer/writer Percy Bady, and is both a musical and spiritual focal point for the project. "This is one of those simple, self-explanatory songs that packs a lot of power by the fact that it's so straightforward in its message," Marvin explains. "No matter what you're going through, or how evil may come against you and try to get you to fold, just remember God's word is true and we can trust Him to keep His promises and work His will. Musically, it's still kind of churchy, but with a driving, urban groove." The moving His Praise is close to Marvin's heart, not only for its music and message, but the contributions of co-writer Reverend Marvin Winans, a man Sapp clearly holds in highest esteem. "It was an honor to write with Pastor Winans, who with Percy Bady also co-produced the album," says Marvin. Donnie McClurkin and my pastor Bishop William Abney also sang on the track, and it's major." After two months of intense rehearsal and pre-production, Marvin and the Chorale recorded the album in an atmosphere that was nothing short of electric. “The crowd was on the edge of its seat," Marvin recalls. "it was phenomenal, and one of those moments when you can just feel the Spirit moving and carrying everything to a level beyond anything you could do by human means." Singing in church since the tender age of four, Marvin has lived a life of music. Gospel greats from D. J. Rogers and the Winans mixed with the mainstream sounds of Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway and Teddy Pendergrass as the young Marvin forged his own unique vocal style. When challenged by his mother at a young age to choose either Gospel or the music of the world, Marvin chose to sing for the Lord and has not looked back since. Marvin spent his teenage years singing with a number of Gospel groups and ensembles before accepting a call to a ministry of evangelism in 1988. Two years later, Gospel kingpin Fred Hammond was on the phone, offering Marvin a job singing with Commissioned. Today, much of a Marvin Sapp concert is given to preaching as well as powerful music, delivered with special attention to first-rate production and entertainment values. Marvin is always quick to point out that he sees himself first and foremost as a preacher also gifted and called to sing. And his unique combination in concert of spoken word and music ministry has clearly touched the hearts of the many thousands of people who come to hear him each year. Marvin Sapp -- preacher, singer, evangelist -- and his community outreach ministry, JOY, continue to flourish in God's work. Marvin, meanwhile, is humbled but ready for whatever may be in store. "I've held a vision for this for some time," he concludes, "but I'm still astounded to see the Lord at work, and to see things moving even more quickly than I would ever have thought. God has opened one door after another. I'm amazed, but I'm prepared for wherever He wants to take us." |
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