What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet... well, I must disagree, for the rare blossom that is Dorinda Clark-Cole is comparable to no other.  In her sophomore album, aptly entitled The Rose of Gospel, released on GospoCentric August 30^th, Dr. Clark-Cole comes into full bloom, offering listeners her very own brand of psalms.

No stranger to the world of Gospel music, having been raised under the adept tutelage of her mother, the late great Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, Dorinda has been ministering in song since the tender age of 5.  Furthermore, she and her sisters (Jackie, Twinkie and Karen) round up the legendary Clark Sisters, probably best known for such timeless hits “Is My Living In Vain” and “You Are My Sunshine”

Now in the prime of her musical career and her evangelical ministry, this Stellar award winning singer, songwriter, evangelist, wife and mother splits her busy schedule between administrative positions within the Church Of God In Christ, The Clark Conservatory of Music and her own Harvest Time Ministries.  Add to that the fact that she was conferred with an honorary doctorate of Divinity from the Mount Carmel Theological Seminary in Fresno, CA, one wonders where she ever had time to write, much less record this latest gem.

Recorded live at St Agnes Baptist Church in Houston, TX, The Rose of Gospel offers first time listeners and seasoned connoisseurs alike a walk along a fragrant musical landscape with selections that are at times frenzied praise anthems, rocking modern refrains or worshipful ballads, but always distinctively Dorinda.

Percussive Nubian overtones lead into Great Is The Lord, the euphoric praise anthem and first single to be released on this album.  It features Dorinda’s sweet vocal inflections coupled with overlapping congas and horns heralding the truth of the 1^st verse of Psalm 48 “Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised”

So Many Times is possibly the edgiest selection on the album, with swinging funk beats suffused with old school cadenced hand-clapping rhythms.  Here New Direction’s resonant ensemble voices provide a soft landing place for Dorinda’s signature twittering as the 10-piece orchestra clamors in melodious pandemonium, the whole thing climaxing triumphantly in Dillard-esque stylistics as the choir loudly professes “I never shall forget”

The softer tones of this album include the assertive elegance of Nobody But God which offers a harmonious bouquet of dulcet sounds, mirroring the character of its interpreter as Dorinda, accompanied by New Direction croons, “God still works miracles”.  Then enter into the lyrical prophetic word of Everything He Promised as saccharine key strokes usher in newcomer Kevin Gray in a duet with Dorinda.

Drawing on personal experience, Dorinda mesmerizes audiences in the testimonial account of how she got over in one of the darkest periods of her life.  For The Rest of My Life has all the makings of a classic R&B love song with poignant lyrics and acoustic melodies.  The corresponding I’ve Got A Reason, resonates with the same message of hope and brings listeners to church where the organ and soul-stirring vocals are front row center in a seeming postscript to her former hit I’m Still Here.  Here, Dorinda demonstrates her renowned improvisational skills as she sing-songs over gracefully hiccupped scats, riffs and runs wrapping her fluid voice over impassioned verse “I could’ve been dead sleeping in my grave, but I thank God its just another day that God kept me safe I’ve got a reason to praise the Lord”

Written by Gospel phenom Desmond Pringle, Worked Out For My Good, a Gospel-Blues fusion number is a classic in the making with horns, drums and the bass guitar working in complementary overtime in an optimistic statement of victory “what the devil meant for evil will work out for my good”

Never one to leave things on a melancholy note, the rocking I’m Out And Over is a musician’s dream song, wherein the terrific orchestration of the various instruments ends on a trilogy of percussified guitar solos, bringing listeners to a whole new appreciation of the ministry of Dorinda Clark Cole.

Throughout this album, listeners are treated to the luxurious panorama of Dorinda Clark Cole’s musical ministry.  The collaborations of J. Moss, Desmond Pringle and most notably producer extraordinaire, Alex “Asaph” Ward, have enhanced the charming efflorescence of her jazz-infused vocal stylistics and have left me altogether uplifted in the Word.  So, what’s in a name?  Well this radiant flower having been through her seasons of disappointment, despair and despondency has weathered the storm; she has proven her worth through diligent faith in her Creator and has substantiated herself as one flower, hand-picked in the sanctified gardens above. Dorinda Clark-Cole is truly The Rose of Gospel.