The Power of One (album)
| The Power of One | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by Israel Houghton | ||||
| Released | March 24, 2009 | |||
| Recorded | 2008-2009 | |||
| Genre | Contemporary worship | |||
| Length | 73:04 | |||
| Label | Integrity Media/Columbia | |||
| Israel Houghton chronology | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
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| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
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AllMusic (Jared Johnson) |
  |
| Alpha Omega News (Ken Wiegman) |
B+ |
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Christianity Today (Andree Farias) |
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Cross Rhythms (Paul Kerslake) |
 |
| Jesus Freak Hideout (Roger Gelwicks) |
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| Louder Than the Music (Jono Davies) |
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| New Release Tuesday (Kevin McNeese) |
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| The Phantom Tollbooth (Trish Cooper) |
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The Power of One is a contemporary worship studio album recorded and performed by Israel Houghton. The album is released by Israel as a solo project, outside of Israel & New Breed. The disc features performances from tobyMac, Mary Mary, Martin Smith of Delirious?, and Chevelle Franklyn.
AllMusic's Jared Johnson said that "The man who reinvented contemporary gospel has reinvented himself as a solo artist on this breakthrough debut, and the result is so unbelievable that even his biggest fans may not recognize the magnitude of his talents until experiencing it for themselves." In addition, Johnson wrote that "The theme of social consciousness is not new to gospel music, and yet Houghton is able to make it sound so fresh and so infectious that it practically stops you in your tracks, forcing you to sit down and examine new ways to make a difference in the world. Not very many artists have the ability to make such calls to action. And it's that self-examination that Houghton uses to power each masterful track."
Alpha Omega News' Ken Wiegman said that "The Power of One, is no less remarkable and moving. The varieties of musical styles are commanding and the message is as powerful. The music ranges anywhere from gospel choir to reggae, funk and rock. The message is a call to action and a call to worship."
Christianity Today's Andree Farias said that "The Power of One is so unlike anything Houghton has done before. For the first time ever, he appears to be veering from his calling to serve the church with new songs to sing. Instead, Israel appears to be going for a ministry platform looking at how social justice and worship intersect." Furthermore, Farias wrote that "The Power of One is more message-driven than it is corporate", and "The Power of One serves as a nice reprieve for him to try his hand at something else." Farias finished with saying that with the album "...most eclectic listeners won't mind. When music and musicianship are this worshipful, virtuoso, and varied, it's easy to get caught up, kick back, and join the praise. Israel has done it again."
Cross Rhythms' Paul Kerslake said called the album an "ambitious set [that] is an inventive fusion of rock, funk, gospel, reggae and pretty much everything in between. Israel rips through the 14 tracks here and sounds like he's having a blast. it's hard to listen to this album without a smile. The lyrical theme flowing through the record (and also illustrated in the accompanying booklet) is that we all have the power to make a difference." Also, Kerslake noted the album for being a "spectacular progression". Kerslake wrote that he has "had it on constant rotation since I got it. This is the sound of an artist at the peak of his talent, this is a great album, a must have and deserves to be recognised as a classic though it will be intriguing to see what the church goers expecting neo-gospel live worship will make of this boldly inventive project."
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Wikipedia