Description
Champions is the gospel debut album by the American singer and songwriter Trace Balin, released on DaySpring Records in 1988, a division of Word. The album was produced, recorded, and mixed by Jonathan David Brown at The Pond in Franklin, Tennessee.
What makes a great album? Great songs? Great production? Inspired vocal performance? The answer is, of course, all that and more. Case in point: ‘Champions’, the debut Christian album from Trace Balin (“Bay-lin). The DaySpring artist (who has previously recorded with Mercury, ABC, and CBS Records) and producer Brown have assembled an appealing package that should firmly establish Balin as one of the more vocally unique talents to hit the scene in some time.
The material on ‘Champions’ is an outgrowth of a deep desire to minister, and the songs deal almost exclusively with exhortation and encouragement of fellow believers. No crossover aspirations here, folks – just biblically-based, uniquely Christian songs.
Brown’s production is current, and his arrangements tasty, but Balin’s vocal prowess sets this album apart from the pack. She is equally at home belting out a rocker like «Who Are the Champions» and crooning a ballad such as «Take Me There». Her voice is, at times, reminiscent of both Kim Carnes and Twila Paris, revealing an incredible stylistic flexibility.
A great album, right? Despite an abundance of talent, skill, and sincerity, Balin somehow fails to make contact with her audience. Remember how ‘Never Alone‘ made you feel Amy Grant was your best friend, or how ‘The Turning‘ gave an almost painful, heart’s-eye view into the soul of Leslie Phillips? ‘Champions’ leaves the listener with the question: Who is Trace Balin? Perhaps we won’t find out until the next time around. [Jon Woodhams, CCM, August 1988]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/champions/1678640883)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “Champions” – 4:22
A2. “All I Wanna Do” – 3:15
A3. “Only For You” – 4:25
A4. “We Need Each Other” – 4:55
A5. “We Are An Army” – 3:52
Side Two
B1. “Walk In The Spirit” – 4:50
B2. “Take Me There” – 4:20
B3. “Rock These Rafters” – 4:28
B4. “Use Me Jesus” – 4:42
B5. “I Don’t Deserve Your Love” – 4:16
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP, and CD by DaySpring Records.
A full-page advertisement for Trace Balin’s album Champions was featured on the back cover of the August 1988 issue of CCM Magazine.
“All I Wanna Do” (MUSIC VIDEO)
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