Holiday

Description

Holiday is the fourth and final studio album by the American pop/rock combo Bash (formerly known as Bash’N the Code), released on StarSong Records in 1991. The album was produced by Tedd Tjornhom.

Bash, nee Bash ‘n’ the Code (formerly known as Found Free), has become something of an institution in this industry. So much so that ‘Holiday’ is dedicated to “the 29 Bashers and support staff of the past 21 years.” That’s a long stretch of keeping a ministry afloat in our fickle biz, and much credit should go to Keith Lancaster, the last link to the original personnel, for his ability to spot fresh talent and for pairing up the group with savvy producers.

Tedd Tjornhom (D.O.C., Michael Peace) is at the helm this time. Tjornhom leads the group in a more urban direction, a la Boyz II Men or A.B.C. There’s no longer a female front person, so James Burks and Kevin Stokes divide most of the vocals on ‘Holiday’. Burks does solo turns on the sizzling «Hot Church» and «In a Flash», and trades verses with Stokes on «You Can Have My Heart», while Kevin contributes fine performances on the ballad «All the Difference in the World» and the sweet love song «Glad You Wanna Be With Me». «Can’t Get 2 Comfortable» is distinguished by an impassioned sermonette by Lancaster and guest rap by Rodney A. Gibson.

Other highlights include the title track, a hip-hop confection that again features Stokes, and would make a good commercial for the band’s annual cruise, and «There Stands the Cross», one of four tracks written or co-written by Gary Driskell, best known for penning the Sandi Patti/Wayne Watson chart-topper, «Another Time, Another Place». Driskell’s lyrics mesh surprisingly well with the dance tracks. The drum-machine driven music occasionally suffers from a lack of variety, but is compensated for by the group’s winning vocals, and the lyrical messages pertinent to its young audience. The album concludes with a remix of «The Thrill of Loving You», during which Lancaster’s recitation of the group’s history sets the stage for the next phase of Bash. [Bruce A. Brown, CCM, February 1992]

CD tracklist:

01. Hot Church
02. You Can Have My Heart
03. All The Difference In The World
04. Can’t Get 2 Comfortable
05. Glad You Wanna Be With Me
06. Gonna Take A Holiday
07. There Stands The Cross
08. The Thrill Of Loving You
09. Breathe Your Spirit
10. In A Flash
11. The Thrill Of Loving You (Dance Mix)

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by StarSong Records.