Album Review: Jamie Simond – ‘Collage’
Artist: Jamie Simond
Album: Collage
Label: Goldstreet Gospel
Street Date: April 16, 2013
iPod Pick: Like This
I couldn’t wait to turn up the volume on my first listen of ‘I Can’t Wait’ the opening track on Jamie Simond’s ‘Collage’. Smooth. Jazzy, effortless are some words that best describe the sound that Jamie brings to the table on this album. With moments artists like Brandy and Musiq are known to give that would want you staring into a mirror or out a window while listening (Like This, Power, My Soul, Leaving) to dance floor moments in the classic mood of Michael Jackson, Keith Sweat and the new pop feel hip Alexis Jordan especially that song ‘Happiness’ (I Can’t Wait, I Need You), the album doesn’t just make a bend for a comfortable style. It welcomes in diversity that works.
I love it in that the words Jamie sings about are so relatable and draw you in. He’s strong and vulnerable enough to talk about his personal struggles (Like This, Leaving) and also offer encouragement and hope (Reach for God, Depend on God). There are also very upbeat worshipful moments in the loved routine of bands such as Hillsong United and The Lakewood Team (Holy). Though woven with a mellow back ground tune ‘I Need You’ might just remind you of the new sounds of veteran Usher or maybe Chris Brown and it sure still maintains so much originality. In fact it features a rap. A beautiful rendering of Zephaniah 3:17 (The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.) also appear on the album as ‘3:17’. Beautiful BGVs, Beautiful choir usage, beautiful ad-libs. Church choir leaders might have their eyes on this one as it would work well for a Sunday morning.
One thing is sure if you are a lover of music drenched in soul but that still keeps you close to the ‘Centre of it all’, Jamie Simond’s Collage is a perfect pick. Apart from mainstream hot shot such as Maxwell, Musiq Soulchild, and maybe say Jill Scott I think the closest thing I’ve heard comparable with the soul plus inspiration Jamie serves on Collage is the acoustic soul of bass guitarist Debra Killings brought on with her 2005 hit ‘Oh my God’.
Jamie Simond is sure one of those few artists you won’t mind sitting with over coffee, taking time to hear what he has to say because beyond making music he has a story to tell. But ’til we have the opportunity for coffee with Jamie we can keep Collage spinning in our respective music box.
