My Life

Description

My Life is an album by the American R&B/gospel singer DeLeon Richards, released on Intersound in 1996.

Don’t expect the bubble gum, R&B/gospel sound that distinguised DeLeon Richards’ last two albums, recorded as a young teen. ‘My Life’ portrays the growth of this woman not only chronologically but musically as well, leaving the listener with respect for a vocalist mining soulfully mellow grooves in a worshipful style.

If the record’s title indicates autobiographical content, then Richards’ ‘Life’ centers largely on adoration of God. Titles like «I’ll Praise Him», «Dear Jesus I Love You» and «I’m Yours» make that evident. The sumptuous sonic backdrops against which she flexes with more vocal nuance and power than ever turn such lyrically plainspoken sentiments into love songs to the Lord, the likes of which a Toni Braxton might wrap her pipes around.

The collection opens with a catchy call to bathe in Christ’s «Fountain Filled With Mercy». Later, she encourages the faithful to «Reach Out and Touch the World». Cooler still may be her take on the standard «Praise Him», where she engages B. Chase Williams & The ShaBach Choir in a hard gospel stomp ‘n’ romp that recalls her roots in the church pastored by her dad.

Like CeCe Winans and Crystal Lewis, DeLeon Richards manages the iffy proposition of navigating through deep gospel roots and R&B modernity to make music approachable to fans of both sounds and, one hopes, open-minded listeners of contemporary Christian radio, too. ‘My Life’ is a masterful song cycle from an artist just now coming into her own. [Jamie Lee Rake, CCM, June 1996]

> iTunes

CD tracklist:

01. Fountain Filled With Mercy – 3:52
02. I’ll Praise Him – 5:25
03. I’ll Praise Him (reprise) – 1:36
04. Dedicated – 3:45
05. Dear Jesus I Love You – 4:32
06. I Want To Worship You – 5:00
07. I’m Yours – 6:11
08. My Life – 4:19
09. Reach Out And Touch The World – 4:12
10. Praise Him – 3:30
11. After The Music (Heaven) – 6:29

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Intersound.

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