Rhapsody

Description

Rhapsody is the fourth and final full-length album by the American hip-hop artist Stephen Wiley, released on StarSong Records in 1991. The album was produced by Michael Brooks for Young Artist for Christ Productions with Dana Davis and Charles “Ollie” Harris co-producing (except the bonus track “Glory to God” produced by Bret Teegarden).

Stephen Wiley’s last Star Song album ‘Rhythm and Poetry‘ was a serious departure from a string of borderline rap embarrassments for Brentwood. With ‘Rhapsody’, Wiley doesn’t backtrack but does thin the colors of his sonic pallet some in order to expand his fandom to black gospel audiences and beyond.

Sometimes it works. The background vocal assistance of Witness’ Lisa Page and Diane Campbell and male duet partner Parks Stewart (on «Real») add luster of urbane soulfulness complimenting Wiley’s plain spoken, friendly rhyming and singing. Most promising for urban gospel radio play is the full-bodied «Morning Time» with a Martin Luther King, Jr. sample in the mix, but the Christmas cheer of «Glory to God» could be revived from ‘Yo! Ho! Ho!’, thanks to its righteous piano.

Other musical hues are utilized equally well. «Purpose» is sophisticated hip-house that finds Wiley rapping well as most housey M.C.s. «Get Busy» (committing the Great Commission) does with an early ’80s electro-funk feel. Vocally, «Prisoner of the American Dream» puts Wiley in the darker spectrum of harder core rapping where he can’t help but reveal his pop/R&B heart, not a bad thing.

But who gave him the idea to cop a faux Jamaican accent for the unauthentic calypso of «Found My Way»? «My Prayer» could pass for a jazz fusion midnight devotional on BET – Wiley’s early tapes are enough rap kitsch for me.

But growth means mistakes and refinements. Wiley is ambitious in his vision; sharper focus on his strengths and a more autobiographical lyrical slant (we know he loves God, but what else is his life about?) would make his art that much more picturesque. [Jamie Lee Rake, CCM, January 1992]

CD tracklist:

01. Morning Time
02. Jesus Is Lord
03. My Prayer
04. This Praise is Real
05. Found My Way
06. Just a Touch
07. Prisoner of The American Dream
08. Purpose
09. Get Busy
Bonus Track:
10. Glory to God

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