Get Ready!

Description

Get Ready! is the sophomore album by the American contemporary R&B group Virtue, released on Verity Records in May 1999, manufactured in the US by Zomba Recording Corporation. The album was produced by Mark and Joey Kibble.

Urban gospel fans made 1998 the year of God’s Property and Kirk Franklin. But finishing right behind in CCM Magazine’s 1998 Readers’ Awards was Virtue – snagging third place for Favorite Contemporary Gospel Album for its self-titled debut.

Now, the four-woman vocal group is back and hoping to pick up where the debut left off. But with those goosebump harmonies pushed to the fore, and ethereal arrangements tailor-made for swaddling the listener in heavenly peace, Get Ready has strong crossover potential.

Call it urban gospel, but there’s no reason why fans of Avalon shouldn’t embrace songs like «My Heart’s With You», with its reassuring message and can’t-miss harmony hooks. Then there’s the poppy, beat-box propelled «Love Me Like You Do», which sounds like it could’ve been swiped straight from Avalon’s latest.

That’s not to say that tasty gospel flourishes are absent here. The choruses of «Super Victorious» and «Put Your War Clothes On» have unmistakable majesty written all over them. And the album’s closer, «Be Grateful», crackles with stripped-back, ’70s-soul energy. Still, Franklin and God’s Property loyalists who like their gospel in overdrive might be weary of this disc; spiritually and musically, Get Ready is often a play-it-safe affair. It employs no less than nine producers, and at times the studio polish overwhelms any signs of spunk or spontaneity. But maybe that’s misreading this album. Experienced as a sweet shroud of sound that comforts and encourages the listener, Get Ready more than passes muster. [Lou Carlozo, CCM, September 1999]

This is a soulful mix of the freshest ’90s sounds bringing the Gospel message to a new generation of listeners. This latest offering from the soulful foursome is an elegant mix of gospel R&B and urban pop. Under the steady guidance of some of gospel’s hottest producers, including Commissioned‘s Mitchell Jones and Take 6‘s Mark and Joey Kibble, ‘Get Ready’ is nothing short of spectacular! Tracks such as «Love Me Like You Do» and «Super Victorious» take us on a profound journey into the natural intersection of gospel and contemporary R&B. ‘Get Ready’ is where, entertainment at its best, inspiration and worship meet in perfect harmony. Virtue have a defined sound which has helped to change the face of contemporary gospel music. [Kat Akingbade, Cross Rhythms, December 1999]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/get-ready/401171691)

CD tracklist:

01. Get Ready – 4:45
02. Put Your War Clothes On – 4:16
03. Now’s The Time – 4:10
04. Angels Watching Over Me – 4:33
05. Fly Away – 4:21
06. My Heart’s With You – 4:11
07. Love Me Like You Do – 4:17
08. Super Victorious – 3:44
09. You Encourage My Soul – 4:31
10. Don’t Take Your Joy – 4:29
11. Be Grateful – 4:53

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

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