CeCe Winans - Something's Happening

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CeCe Winans’ holiday recording, Something’s Happening! A Christmas Album (Puresprings Gospel/Thirty Tigers) is sure to put you in a reflective yet festive mood, all the while keeping you reminded of the true meaning of the holiday season.

The title song, ‘Something’s Happening’ is one of five songs written by CeCe’s son, Grammy Award winner, Alvin Love III, emphasising that something wonderful happened and continues because Christ was born. CeCe’s heavenly vocals effortlessly pull listeners into the Christmas spirit.

‘This World Will Never Be The Same’ praises the divine event that changed the world and the lives of everyone who would believe in Him. CeCe’s powerful vocals, accompanied by ethereal background singers, invite you into an imaginative musical experience.

When asked what she would like the message of this project to be, CeCe says: “My desire is that, when the world hears this project, they are reminded of the true reason and spirit of Christmas. When Jesus was born, something AMAZING happened that changed the world forever. In the midst of all the celebration, we must not forget to remember and offer to others the best gift of all…

JESUS!” On the lively ‘Giving Season’, CeCe sings about the joy in thinking of others and the valued treasure that exists, in even a simple smile or hug. This airy song with delightful orchestration takes on the feel of a holiday musical and can easily lift your spirit.

In the harmonic treat of ‘It’s Christmas’, Winans sings of traffic jams, sweet treats, decorations, and bells ringing, with visions of a fun-filled Christmas Day. Along with the evocative lyrics, the upbeat rhythm reflects the urgency to get it all done during the season, peppered with the blissful sounds of Mark Douthit’s saxophone.

Among the five Christmas classics on the new recording are ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing’, which CeCe delivers with verve and joy along with, ‘O Come, O Come Emmanuel’, ‘I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day’, ‘Feliz Navidad/O Holy Night’ and ‘Silent Night’. The vibrant orchestral arrangements by Tim Akers and Alvin Love III will have listeners nodding and tapping their feet.

The recording offers great music that is a perfect backdrop for gatherings, decorating the tree, cooking up delicious holiday treats and opening presents. The combination of CeCe’s wonderful lead vocals, melodic background singers and full orchestra certainly create a masterful expression of holiday cheer.

Winans is open to branching out musically, and has this to say about the new album: “It’s been a long time. I just felt like I could do something that was better, something that was fresher. It was time to do a new one, and I’m pretty pleased with it. I think it’s fresh and fun. I’m glad I did it.

“We had too much fun recording ‘It’s Christmas’ and all of those original songs,” Winans enthused. “I like pushing the envelope a little bit. I just wanted the album to be fresh, drawing us back to the real meaning of Christmas.”

Something’s Happening! A Christmas Album is produced by Alvin Love III - the sophomore collaboration between mother and son. Love co-produced CeCe Winans’ ‘Let Them Fall in Love’, which won two Grammy Awards earlier this year.

The album also features the superb Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Tim Akers. Among the exceptionally talented vocalists featured throughout the recording are: Jerard Woods, Kirk Kirkland, David Wise, Terry White, Melinda Doolittle, Nickie Conley, Debi Selby, Rebecca Gray, Shelley Justice and Emoni Wilkins. This Christmas offering is executive produced by Demetrus Alexander.

BY MILTON B ALLEN, GLOBAL MUSIC LINK