SPOTLIGHT CD REVIEW: A COLLECTION OF FAVORITES- UNITY 4

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justingilmore1992
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SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS:

CD REVIEW:

A COLLECTION OF FAVORITES

UNITY 4

PRODUCER: ARTHUR RICE

RELEASE DATE: JULY 2024

GROUP MEMBERS: J.C. JOHNSON JR. (BARITONE), CASEY JOHNSON (LEAD), HEATH PANNELL (TENOR), AND REGGIE FURTICK

SONG LIST:

  1. When We All Get Together With The Lord (Moe Jaffe, Bix Reichner)
  2. I Want To Live There Someday (Dwight Brock, Adger M. Pace)
  3. I Know He Heard My Prayer (Vep Ellis)
  4. Standing By The River (Albert E. Brumley, Marion Easterling)
  5. Roll Away, Troubled River (Ann Ballard)
  6. I’m Building A Bridge (Lee Roy Abernathy)
  7. Ever Since That Wonderful Day (Squire Parsons)
  8. I Believe (Mark S. Mathes)
  9. That Heavenly Home (Frank White)
  10. I’ll Have A New Song (Squire Parsons)
  11. Outside The Gate (Larry Petree)

BREAKDOWN:

2024 has been a year of continued blessings and growth for Unity 4. This truly special group performed at this year’s Memphis Quartet Show after winning a spot on the Mainstage at the Southern Gospel Promoters Showcase. As a result, they have also been a part of next years’ event as well. A month later, the group released A Collection Of Favorites, an album that celebrates the rich tradition of Southern Gospel Music. This landmark project features eleven quartet classics paying tribute to the quartet’s of the past.

This stellar album opens with the classic made popular by the Gaither Vocal Band. J.C. Johnson shines on the second verse of this fun song that reminds us that God Loves us so much He died to save us. It looks forward to the time when we will get to Heaven and be with the Lord forever. “I Want To Live There Someday” is a fun quartet tune that tells of the splendor that awaits us in Heaven someday. Heath Pennell and Reggie Furtick trade off on the step-out lines on the choruses. The quartet’s stellar harmonies are on full display on the classic “I Know He Heard My Prayer.” Each member delivers a fantastic vocal on this Vep Ellis penned standard. Heath Pannell and Reggie Furtick share step-out lines once again on a stellar version of “Standing By The River.” Reggie Furtick shines on the bass singer feature “Roll Away,Troubled River.” Furtick is an underrated bass singer in my opinion. He has a smooth and rich tone to his voice and impressive low notes. In the same vein as George Younce,he is a great singer who happens to sing bass. “I’m Building A Bridge” has been a favorite song of mine since I heard the Ernie Haase & Signature Sound version on their Early Years project. Unity 4 delivers the best version of this song I have heard since that recording here. Heath Pannell and Reggie Furtick absolutely knock their parts out of the park. The group also delivers great renditions of “Ever Since That Wonderful Day” and the Gold City tune “I Believe,” both featuring Casey Johnson. “That Heavenly Home,” a Frank White classic, is given a great treatment here featuring Casey Johnson on the second verse. “I’ll Have A New Song” is a fun quartet tune that expresses the joy of living and singing His praises in Heaven forever. This incredible album closes with a stirring rendition of “Outside The Gate” featuring J.C. Johnson Jr. 

FINAL THOUGHTS:

AN INCREDIBLE ALBUM BY A FANTASTIC QUARTET! STELLAR VOCALS, TIMELESS CLASSICS, AND TOP NOTCH PRODUCTION QUALITY. I CAN SEE THE MENTORSHIP OF ARTHUR RICE ON THIS GROUP. HE HAS DONE A GREAT JOB PRODUCING FOR THIS GREAT QUARTET. HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: “I’M BUILDING A BRIDGE,” “OUTSIDE THE GATE,” “ROLL AWAY, TROUBLED RIVER,” “I KNOW HE HEARD MY PRAYER,” AND “STANDING BY THE RIVER.”

GO GET THIS CD ASAP!

5 OUT OF 5 STARS!

FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.unity4quartet.com

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