New Music: Marvin Winans Jr, "Image of a Man"

Over the past several weeks I have purchased and downloaded a crapload of music. Tosha has a nice feature on her blog where she reviews some of her recent purchases. Sorry for being a "biter", but I think I'll do the same! I have bought the latest CDs by Ne-Yo (which Tosha reviewed nicely), Robin Thicke, and Deitrick Haddon and copped the debut CDs by Jennifer Hudson and Jazmine Sullivan. However, I haven't listened to nan one of them (except Ne-Yo), because I've had Marvin Winan Jr's debut CD, "Image of a Man", permanently stuck in my CD player. I was looking online for a review of the album, to see if other folks are as stuck on it as I am, and was shocked to find nothing -- although it premiered #10 on the Billboard Gospel Charts (not so bad for the first CD released on a new independent label!) So, I felt the need to review this one first...eventually I'll listen to the others and do the same. (lol)

Marvin Winans Jr, "Image of a Man"
Released Sept. 30, 2008 on M2 Entertainment

Anxiously anticipated for several years now by many fans, "Image of a Man" does not disappoint. An inspirational CD with strong crossover potential, Winans aims to reach not only the gospel audience, but attract those who may not necessarily be into traditional "gospel" music. A variety of innovative sounds, thanks to the contributions of powerhouse producers such as Rodney Jerkins, Fred Jerkins and Warryn Campbell in addition to newcomers David Garcia, Josiah Bell and Josiah Winans, places this CD faaaar outside of the "gospel music" box. Expect major crossover success once the music reaches the ears of the masses.

Track-by-Track Recap (linked to sample tracks)

1) "Image of a Man" (1 on iTunes, #14 on store-bought CD)
Written by Marvin Winans Jr (MWj) and Joe "Flip" Wilson
Produced by Joe "Flip" Wilson

What first grabbed me about this song is the handclaps. Odd, right? I was jammin'. (lol) Winans' voiceover over the progressive addition of musical elements ("This is who I am") leads to the opening of the song, in which he proclaims that who he is really HAS no explanation. Our existence is part of a greater plan and hopefully, folks will get with the program.

This is the Image of a Man/ I hope you understand/This is not my plan/I'm just the image of a man

2) "You Never Let Me Down"
Written by Rodney Jerkins and MWj
Produced by Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins

This is the lead single from the CD, with a highly anticipated accompanying video soon to be released. Caribbean-influenced beats make this a song you can ride to! The song could have many meanings, as it's a declaration of gratitude. Who has never let you down? God? Your spouse? Your best friend?

When I'm lost and there's no other way/I know you'll be there just to light up the day/You Never Let Me Down

3) "It's Been So Long"
Written by MWj and David Garcia
Produced by David Garcia and MWj

You know what got me first with this song? Its groove!! This is not mom & pop's music y'all -- it's the reason why the album is so difficult to classify as "gospel". But the message stands strong; it's plea to God for reacceptance after straying away and realizing that life is nothing without God. Oh, and it's my jam. (lol)

Now how can I live without 'cha?/Cuz I'm only alive when I'm with ya/It's cold out here on my own/Without of the warmth of your love inside

4) "Feel It All"
Written by MWj
Produced by MWj and Josiah Bell

Have you ever gone through something and looked for those closest to you, only to find that they're not there? That's what this song is about; encouraging those closest to you. You never know what someone might be going through. Sometimes you have to reach out and let your people know that you're feeling their pain. Winans and Bell combine to create a nice mid-tempo R&B groove.

How can you expect anyone for anyone to care/For your situations when you don't care for theirs?/You might run into a problem where you need a friend/Reach back and the hand you need isn't there

5) "Put Your Love on Me"
Written by MWj and David Garcia
Produced by David Garcia and MWj.

As I understand it, this was to be the original lead single for the CD. I've seen some feedback on Marvin's MySpace page by some fans who state that it should've been. Either way, this might be the next one. It's a track that bumps. Winans talks about the disappointments that often come at the hands of others, and pleads for God to touch him in his time of hurt.

Where would I be if I didn't know you loved me?/Put Your Love on Me/Put Your Love on Me/How could I live without your love around me?

6) "Steps to a Man"
Written and Produced by MWj

I'm beginning to think that this is my favorite song on the CD. Never did I expect to hear a rock ballad on this joint. (lol) When I first heard it, I was like 'man that's a nice song'. But when I actually listened to it, the lyrics grabbed me. It's deeply personal, and although I am a woman and know nothing about being a man, the second verse was pretty much a page out of my life. And dude, I had no idea that Marvin had that crazy range. Dude.

How could the lights begin to fade on a love that was so true?/Or maybe untrue?/I can't fathom how it all began and ended as fast/Why couldn't it last?

7) "Come 2 Me"
Written by MWj and Warryn Campbell
Produced by Warryn "Baby Dubb" Campbell

One of the early "releases" from this CD, "Come 2 Me" is a plea from God for all of us to turn to Him during our time of pain. It has a smooth R&B sound that is guaranteed to have to bobbing your head.

Life may pull you low/But I'm on high/You can do so much better now/Heaven is my home/But I should live inside your heart

8) "U Know Love"
Written by Noel Fisher and MWj
Produced by Noel "Detail" Fisher

This song's bassline is crazy. That's the first thing you'll notice: your rearview mirror rattling. (lol) Winans speaks to the ladies here; those who rely on material things and attention from men to find fulfillment. He states that love is more than this; love is more than a temporary feeling, and admonishes ladies in this situation to hold out for the real thing!

She's gotta have Dolce & Gabbana/Louis, Gucci and Prada/Spending all that she got/So the fellas can say that like everything they see/Cuz everybody likes fantasies/They wanna dream a little dream/But it's never what it seems

9) "Believe"
Written by Fred Jerkins, Lashawn Daniels and MWj
Produced by Fred "Uncle Freddie" Jerkins

The title speaks for itself! lol. Simply put, believe that God will do what you ask Him to! Just believe! Another uptempo jam from Fred Jerkins! (I bet you find yourself "car dancing" at the break...lol)

Belieeeeeeeeve/I'll do it!

10) "Mistakes"
Written and Produced by MWj

Beautifully simple, with Winans singing at the piano, this song is an apology for shortcomings. Hello, we've all jacked up one way or another, so we can all relate! It's a plea for God to come in a clean up yet another mess. Absolutely gorgeous song.

Who can shield me from dismay if you don't?/Who can kiss the pain away if you won't?/I need love/I need love in the hardest way/Like the Romans say/My mistakes weren't build in a day

11) "Push Pull (It's Alright)"
Written by MWj and David Garcia
Produced by David Garcia and MWj

Now, we've all been there. Someone has pushed you to the point of nuttin' up. In this mid-tempo song, Winans encourages us out here to take a minute and walk away before you say something crazy. Folk will push you to that point -- grab the door and push/pull your way outta there! :-P

Push Pull/I know what you're going through/If they don't get you that's okay/I know you feel they gotta pay/Go and walk out that door/You wanna just let it show/If you can't find the words to say/Then let it go and know it's alright

12) "A Single Rose"
Written and Produced by MWj

This is a beautiful love song to Jesus, a song of gratitude for the ultimate sacrifice. Winans is joined by David May on acoustic guitar.

And I care about the time you spent on the cross/Looking down on a world that was so lost/Trying to decide if it was worth the pain/Just to let every man and woman live again

13) "Let It Out"
Written and Produced my MWj

Relationships. They come and go; question is, how do you cope when they end? In some cases, people have difficulty moving on. In this song, Winans encourages us to release that pain, not to let it eat away at you. He cites people who have killed/commited suicide to escape the pain. There's a better solution!!

Let It Out/Yes You Can//You'll Start Anew, just/Let it out/As you cry/You can try to/Go ahead and pray/If you never have you can start today/Yes I know things might be hard for you/But please don't hold it, control it, you know you should let it out

14) "Believe ('Baby Brotha' Remix)"
Remix by Josiah "Baby Brotha" Winans

MWj lets his younger brother take the reins on this remix to "Believe", and the younger bro handles himself nicely! If this were back in the day, I'd probably call this a "skate mix"! Baby Brotha brings in the synthesizers and ramps the song up a notch, guaranteed to make you dance!! :)

Next up: whatever I eventually listen to next. I've got a long list of music...probably no more track-by-track reviews tho. That took forEVER.