print: Greg O'Quin & iPraize - After The Storm | CD Review on BlackGospel.com

After The Storm /
Greg O'Quin & IPrayze
(Pendulum)

August, 2009 on BlackGospel.com
Musical Review by EM Fergusson

Greg O’Quin is no stranger to delivering a powerful message to the masses. He’s been doing that for more than a decade. After a lengthy hiatus, O’Quin returns with a dynamic gospel recording, After the Storm. This musical creation is filled with enlightening songs that uplift, inspire, and holistically bless the soul. Listeners in need of faith during trying times, looking for an opportunity to worship will enjoy the album. After the Storm is truly a modern-day message that will strike a Christian chord with many. As nations are faced with ever-growing economic, political, and social challenges, O’Quin and iPraize steadily deliver a dose of contemporary Gospel, beckoning a brand new day for neophytes.

The album opens with an emotional track entitled, ‘Convinced.’ The song speaks the solemn message of how unsteady the world is, but one thing is sure - God shows His precious love and cares about us all. The lyrics emphasizes this: “But I heard a word/There is someone who cares/He will give me love and my burdens He’ll bear/I’m convinced He loves me/I know He loves me/I’m convinced He cares/And I know He cares!/And I’m convinced there’s a place, a place for me right here…”

The praise and worship aspect to the album is certain to drive worshippers to their knees, in a state of spiritual epiphany. The blend of old school tunes with contemporary musical styles demonstrates the breath and scope of O’Quin’s talent and ministry. Since 1992, O’Quin has been making music for ministry and singing sacred songs like an enthusiastic evangelist.

After the Storm is a carefully crafted album that seeks to offer hope when souls are confronted by temptations and adversities. “On this project, I was able to write deeper in context to offer what I call Reality Worship Gospel,” said O’Quin. “This genre of gospel music reflects a worshiper that is going through a storm, yet determined to get a praise through in the midst of that storm. Their breakthrough is engineered and manifested by their worship. Now I know there are people out there who are saying 'God I love you right now and want to praise You – but I’m struggling, I’m having a hard day.' People need something more than traditional praise and worship to help them get through … to help them figure it out.”

The eclectic sounds on, ‘Every Little Step I Take,’ is an encouraging ode and yet worships the Almighty for what He continues to do on a daily basis, even in tough times. Sometimes when trials and storms hit home, a lot is neglected. O’Quin says that during times when you are going through a storm, you forget to turn to God; you stop going to church and forget the most important aspect of that trial is to take every little step with God. O’Quin expresses this theme throughout the album. “Somebody’s going through something right now,” says O’Quin on the opening track, ‘Breakthrough.’ “Sickness in your body, you’ve lost your job, you’ve lost your home….my friend, you need a breakthrough!” The lyrics speak of putting faith first by trusting in God, regardless of what is being experienced.

O’Quin taps into the hearts of listeners and leaves them encouraged once again, echoing the all-important message that regardless of what takes place, God can pull you through whatever storm you’re in the middle of. Powerful prose is expressed on the track, ‘God Can:’ “If problems got you down/sickness and disease all around/I know that/God can…! He can bring that spouse home/turn your house into a home/He can take that pain away/He can take disease away/Listen to what I say: God can!”

O’Quin goes traditional with an ole’ South ring on ‘Lead Me Jesus,’ and then energizes the disc on the reggae-fused track, ‘Pray,’ and soothes with the jazzy ballad, ‘I Say A Little Prayer.’ With 15 tracks to tease and taunt the listener, O’Quin and iPraize continue to bring the proverbial lightning and thunder to their ministry on After the Storm.

For more information on Greg O’Quin and iPraize, visit www.pendulumrecords.biz.