Fred Hammond is often referred to as the Babyface of gospel music (after legendary pop producer Kenny 'Babyface' Edmonds) and has been dancing on the gospel stone for more than two decades. The multi-talented performer got his start playing and singing with the Winans, and later on with Commissioned.
Over his twenty plus years walking the Christ walk, Hammond has carved out a unique place in the gospel community. His solo work and his union with Radical For Christ has helped him maintain a presence on the charts. Known as the author of urban praise and worship music, Hammond returns with his first album since 2004. The 14 track Free To Worship has a live in the church feel to it.
Things kick off in grand fashion, with the exuberant "My Heart Is For You." Trumpets, trombone, and sax blast out a joyous noise as Hammond and his divine backing choir praise God on high. The adulation continues on the elastic "He'll Do It" and on a reinvented version of gospel classic "This Is The Day." Hammond pumps up the intro with a commanding rant against all manner of evil and sickness. The strength in weakness thread gets picked back up on "Keep On Praisin'." Hammond is in a James Brown kind of mood here.
"L.O.U.D. L.O.U.D." is a wah-wah-guitared cut with programmed instrumentation and spaced-out keyboard effects. Hammond puts his backing choir through a sweaty workout that is best described as disco gospel, Saturday Night Fever transformed into Sunday Morning Frenzy. The album includes a bonus live version of the jovial "Celebrate (He Lives)," from Hammond's last studio album. The singer, his band, and his backup singers blow away an enthusiastic crowd at Potter's House in Dallas, Texas. The resurrection of Christ has everyone (band and crowd) worked up.
While the majority of Free To Worship finds Hammond and crew in high gear, the disc does have it's soft moments. "More Of You," while not a full on ballad, is a mid-tempo cut that slows things down for a few minutes. Hammond lays out an easy bass line that guides the R&B guitar riffs of Aaron Dellossantos. For "No Greater Love," Hammond puts the breaks on the praise machine and takes us for a cruise down Bombastic Ballad Avenue. The singer thanks the Lord for making the greatest sacrifice of all.
Free To Worship should help Hammond continue his occupation of the gospel charts. The package includes a bonus DVD that features three live clips.
By Todd Sterling
