GI (GOD'S IMAGE)
Fusing urban contemporary rhythms with faith-based answers to everyday issues, the Richmond, Virginia based vocal band, GI (also known as God's Image), has just put the finishing touches on their debut CD God's Image. The project will release on April 7, 2009 via their BGA Music Group's partnership with Blacksmoke/World Wide Music.
This set opens with the a cappella track "Thank You" that boasts celestial four-part harmonies more similar to that of sixties pop vocal quartets such as the Lettermen than to the doo wop style of recent soul groups such as Boyz II Men. "I wrote that because I wanted to express my gratitude to God for keeping us together for ten years," says group founder Branden Anderson. "It's a reflection on what God has done for us as a group and as individuals."
Next up is the smooth, roll-down the top groove of "Get Up." The hypnotic urban rhythm would feel equally home at the club or youth night at church. "It's a concept song giving people a chance to praise God in a fun way," says Marlon. "It also sends a message for people to get up out of their worries of life, whether it's sickness, poverty, or a spiritual slump. Get up and do something about the situation you're in! The best way to fight the enemy is with praise, so the song urges you to give God praise through your situations."
A taste of Motown tambourines and a clap-with-me flow permeates the traditional song "Something Got A Hold of Me." The group's A&R consultant Derrick Wade suggested they update the church classic. "I'm the traditional one in the group," Branden laughs. "I remember hearing that song when I was growing up but we took the old school and put a new school twist on it."
Featuring the Isley Brothers' style of amplified guitar, the smooth ballad "In All I Do" affirms the singer's devotion to God. "I was on the piano playing some chords," Curtis recalls. "And we started putting words to it and it became a worship song. It's simply that in all I do, I just want to worship God and then we put it on paper." Marlon adds, "That's a deep song. We're giving people a view on how to worship God in a daily way."
The group then dusts off Kirk Franklin & the Family's "Silver and Gold," a 1993 classic.
"We decided we wanted to do a cover song," says Marlon. "There were a couple of songs we were going back and forth with when Steve Robinson, the guitar player for the session, suggested that we do "Silver and Gold." He started playing around with some hot chords and we said that's the song we want to do."
After a brief interlude, the group launches into the down-tempo track "Temptation." The tune tells the listener of a variety of scenarios that might lead to temptation. "I was at Branden's house playing chords and Marlon started singing the words `temptation' and started to conceptualize the song," says Lamonte.
