CRYSTAL AIKIN
"I am a worship conductor and singing for me has so much purpose; I don't play around with it. We all have gifts and talents. Sometimes we take them places we shouldn't. But for me, it is so important to covet my gift and to use it wisely. I believe that God has put a spiritual anointing on my voice to awaken the spiritually asleep and for deliverance and healing."
Crystal's debut release gives her the perfect vehicle to minister with her honey dipped crystal clear voice and awaken souls. The 10 song CD was produced by a bevy of heavy weight producers from gospel and urban music, including PAJAM (J Moss, 21:03, Karen Clark Sheard), Dre & Vidal (Alicia Keys, Usher), Gerald Haddon (Deitrick Haddon, Damita Haddon, Bishop Noel Jones' City of Refuge Sanctuary Choir), Derek Clark (Z'iel), Lamb & TJ and Asaph Ward (Kim Burrell, Maurette Brown Clark).
When asked to describe her album's music, Crystal says, "It's a potpourri of musical sounds. And we've got something on it for everyone. I am so glad I'm from Washington State, one of the least churched states. We're not in the Bible belt. So we don't get gospel styles so heavily ingrained in us. We are a grunge and rock alternative state, the home of rock legend Jimi Hendrix. And with that, we are so well blended and open to appreciate it all styles of music. So I couldn't help but make sure that a variety of music was captured on my album."
That variety of music styles on her CD manifested on her CD as a mix of Urban Contemporary Gospel and Contemporary Gospel sounds with a splash of Traditional Gospel and a touch of Rock and Jazz. Although she says she loves every song, Crystal does admit to having three favorites on the project, "My first favorite is the powerful ballad "What If," produced by PAJAM. When you listen to the words it's really an awesome song. What if God said no? What if he opted to not die? What if he opted to not give us healing? What if he opted not to give us miracles? Do you know what kind of world and situation we'd be in? It's a song that provokes thought and thankfulness for God's presence in our lives.
Another one is "The Cloud," produced by Derek Clark. It has a rock feel to it. And it's an encouraging song for anyone who feels down, ashamed, unworthy and hopeless. The song talks about how the clouds have rolled away and your sins have been erased. So say goodbye to yesterday. Say good-bye to days of gray!
Then there's "He's So Worthy" by Asaph Ward. This is a certifiable 'gospel joint!' It's full of energy and spectacular rhythm, but what grips me about the song is that it has a praise and worship feel. The music is slamming but what gets me more are the words, because He's worthy of all the praise and all the glory. It provokes you, no matter what you might be feeling at that moment; you're like 'Umph! He's so worthy!'"
Other stand outs on the project include the mid-tempo, contemporary "Lord You Reign Forever." Produced by Dre & Vidal, it's a soothing song that reminds you that the Lord reigns high above your circumstance and He will always be there for you.
The Dre & Vidal produced jazz tinged ballad "Turn to Him" is a testimonial tune about a soul being lost and confused and finally turning to God through prayer to be saved.
The tear evoking, soul-piercing traditional ballad "Even Me," produced by Gerald Haddon, tells the story about how God will use the broken and seemingly unworthy individual to accomplish his perfect will.
From song to song, Crystal Aikin's self-titled debut CD will inspire and bless a multitude of souls from a myriad of backgrounds with its colorblind messages of love, faith, hope and worship.
And what is Crystal's hope for her God inspired release? She proclaims, "My desire for my album is that people will be inspired to bless God and worship God. I want people to get the Crystal artistry, but have the God experience."
