PRINT: GOSPEL MUSIC REVIEW: For My Good (Surel) / June, 2006 on BlackGospel.com

For My Good (Surel) / Remedy Entertainment
June, 2006 on BlackGospel.com - Review by Jennifer Belot

Contemporary gospel music has the dubious task of effectively melding modern beats sometimes considered “unsanctified” with inspirational Bible-based messages. The difficulty is not in the musical expression but rather in having the gospel industry, which lauds its traditional artists and sheepishly embraces its contemporary counterparts, to take notice. Artists such as Mary Mary, Dietrich Haddon, Lisa McClendon and Tye Tribbett have all carved out a respectable space in the gospel music landscape; but others still like the mega-talented Tonex, have become disillusioned with the slow and reluctant acceptance of their particular brand of contemporary gospel music

Unfazed by critics and firmly rooted in God, Dallas native Sureldie R. Williams aka Surel seeks to break new frontier with the debut of her new album FOR MY GOOD, released on her own independent label, Remedy Entertainment. Combining her academic training in psychology and speech communication and her poetic soul, Surel writes and interprets songs with a keen understanding of the power of the spoken word as expounded in the gospel of John. Her beautiful voice lends itself well to the smooth melodies and uplifting lyrics that characterize her style. Her distinctive expression promises to make her a perennial bloom in gospel’s musical Garden of Eden. As one critic put it “Surel is in possession of an elastic vocal instrument, a soothing, assuring and fluid alto that she flexes in captivating leads and mesmerizing overdubbed support harmonies.”

Starting on an upbeat, up tempo, upswing note, You Can’t Have It is a Jamaican juiced-up, beat-pumping song from start to finish that incorporates mind-boggling rhythms as Surel tells the devil he has no claim to her life. The same modulated groove is repeated in Pleasing, a prayer of one who wants nothing more than to be pleasing in the eyes of God.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Inspired by the words of Roman 8:28, the pensive title track, For My Good co-written by mentor and friend Tonex, boasts a melody sung in Surel’s languid alto that is unmistakably reminiscent of songbirds, as Surel moans “As long as God is in control, Captain of my soul, wouldn’t change things if I could, it’s all working for my good”. She explains the inspiration for the penmanship of this song in saying “Holding this scripture close to my heart has been my saving grace… I've learned that what the devil seeks to corrupt, God will turn into good…

The artist’s contemporary sound and style merges an inclination for modern music with remakes of church classics. The original version of Beyond My Faults is one of my favorites and upon hearing Surel’s soul’d out version, I felt compelled to replay the song countless times. She really flips the script of Beyond My Faults and turns a modern church classic into a soulful modern-day experience. Since the lyrics remain unchanged “I shall forever lift mine eyes to Calvary, to view the cross where Jesus died for me. How marvelous his grace that caught my falling soul, He looked beyond my faults and saw my needs” the impact of the song is just as vivid, from one version to the next. The organ and the guitar drone and twang in complementary motions as another classic is revived. Because He Lives, has nothing of the original hymn, save for the lyrics of the chorus. Apart from that likeness, this is a new song, done in a tasteful manner that still pays homage to the old-school by highlighting the organ as a prominent instrument to the piece.

Surel doesn’t merely quote scripture matter-of-factly, but she rather shares her personal experience so that listeners may be transported to a higher understanding of real life issues facing the modern Christian. In My Vow To You she touches on the importance of putting God first in any romantic relationship. “That song is about the fundamental principle of marriage,” she says, “which gets lost when people are unequally yoked. That's a huge conflict! I wrote this song because I want my daughters to understand that you both have to be committed to God before you are committed to each other. That's the only thing that is going to keep you in check.”

A marvelously unexpected surprise throughout this project is the collaboration between the precocious and proficient Tonex and his prodigy, Surel which can be found interspersed throughout the album. His stamp can be found on five of the thirteen chapters of this musical novel including the Urban-inspired No Love Like Yours, the Contemporary prose of Gold and the moving Daddy’s Little Girl. “Your absence shaped my perspective” is the first line of [arguably] the most lyrically poignant song of the whole album. Daddy’s Little Girl touches on the subject of fatherless children and the overwhelming effect single-parent families have on their offspring.

Written from a personal point of view while incorporating the familiarity of The Tempatation’s classic Papa Was A Rolling Stone, the original lyrics are replaced by “Papa wasn’t in the home to say goodnight, had to call on the phone and though he tried I still felt alone”. The narrative perspective from which the song is written and the fact that it is featured twice on the album (original and remixed version featuring Tonex) emphatically drives the message home that the issues contemplated in the song are of paramount importance for those within earshot.

After a five-year gestation, this musical baby has arrived onto the gospel scene, healthy, beautiful and perfect in its own right. For My Good is an inspirational album that is soulful, spiritual and sincere both in its musical expression and earthly testimony. Impressive lyricism and musical finesse characterize the young, vibrant, uncontrived talent that is certainly all Surel. In her own words, “My purpose is to use my love for music, my gift for songwriting, and my ability to sing to encourage others through the declaration of my faith. And it's all good!“ The long awaited arrival of Surel’s soothing testimony in song – For My Good - is certainly good on so many levels.