All Out

Description

All Out is the seventh studio album by the American contemporary gospel/R&B quartet The Winans (brothers Marvin, Carvin, Ronald and Michael), released on Qwest Records in 1993, manufactured and distributed by Warner Bros. Record.

It’s been three years since The Winans (brothers Marvin, Carvin, Ronald and Michael) released ‘Return‘, the gold-selling album that spawned the terrific crossover hit, «It’s Time». In spite of their lack of new product, the boys have stayed in the public eye through The Winans Family Tour (and what a show that was), and a 90 min (!) TV special last Christmas that was syndicated to most major markets in the U.S.

Part of that show’s appeal came from its special guests from the music mainstream, including popsters Kenny Loggins, country crooner Ricky Van Shelton, rapper R. Kelly, and others. Evidently they got on well, ’cause the aforementioned artists all took part in ‘All Out’, the foursome’s latest for Warners.

The album kicks off in a similar fashion to ‘Return’, with «Payday», a new jack swing-er with rap breaks (by R. Kelly) in the tradition of «It’s Time». Not sure if it will live up to the success of its presecessor, but it’s still got an insistent groove that’s catchy as heck. Also on the dance/pop tip are «That Extra Mile», «All You Ever Been was Good», and on a hard downtempo groove, «Money Motive».

If you’re a Winans fan though, you know that ballads are a big part of the group’s appeal. ‘All Out’ delivers some classics too, like «If He Doesn’t Come Tonight» (v/Van Shelton), «Love Will Never Die» (w/Loggins), and the album’s stately closer, «He Said Go», arranged and produced by the legendary Johnny Mandel.

Suffice it to say that musically, ‘All Out’ is a state-of-the-art R&B/gospel/pop delight. Lyrically, much of it still centers around the traditional gospel themes of the goodness of God and the hope of a better tomorrow. While good news always bears repeating, one wishes for more songs like «Tradewinds» and «Money Motive», that speak to current issues relevant to the black community and beyond, and do so from a thoroughly biblical base. The Winans have been given a tremendous platform (through Quincy Jones’ Qwest label), to speak of a gospel that can transform the most troubled of lives, to ears that will hear. Our prayers are with them. [Thom Granger, CCM, October 1993]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/all-out/1489993638)

CD tracklist:

01. Payday – 4:32
02. It’s Not Heaven If You’re Not There – 5:02
03. If He Doesn’t Come Tonight – 3:58
04. That Extra Mile – 5:40
05. Tradewinds – 5:50
06. All You Ever Been Was Good – 4:26
07. Money Motive – 4:28
08. Love Will Never Die – 4:48
09. Heaven Belongs To You – 5:42
10. He Said Go – 5:02

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