SPOTLIGHT CD REVIEW: NO BETTER TIME- THE KINGDOM HEIRS

SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS:

CD REVIEW:

NO BETTER TIME

KINGDOM HEIRS

LABEL: SONLITE RECORDS

PRODUCER: JEFF COLLINS

RELEASE DATE: NOVEMBER 1, 2024

GROUP MEMBERS: KREIS FRENCH (BASS GUITAR), DENNIS MURPHY (DRUMMER), ANDY STRINGFIELD (BARITONE/PIANIST), JOSHUA HORRELL (TENOR), BRAD SMITH (BASS), CHRIS BRYANT (LEAD), AND JOHN YOUNG (GUITAR, VOCALS)

SONG LIST:

1. The Lord’s Been Good To Me (Dianne Wilkinson, Jeff Crews)
2. Until Prayer Changes Me (Janice Crow)
3. No Better Time (Dixie L. Phillips, Chris Binion, Steve Marshall)
4. I Want To Live Like Jesus (Dianne Wilkinson, Ernie Haase)
5. Life Hurts, God Heals (Debbie L. Davis, Chris Binion, Gene Ezell)
6. We’ll Be Movin’ (Steven Cheney, David L. Hanvelt)
7. All The Way To The Gates (Sue C. Smith, Marcia Henry, Jason Cox)
8. Already Free (Dave Clark, Don Koch, Joseph Habedank)
9. One More Promise (Kristi R. Fitzwater, Janice Crow)
10. I Went Down (Dennis Murphy)
11. He Still Is (Debbie L. Davis, Bernadette Negus, Rachel McCutcheon)
12. Yesterday, Today, Forever Faithful (Christopher Bryant)

BREAKDOWN:

2023 was a year of change for the Kingdom Heirs. In the span of six months, tenor Jacob Ellison, longtime bass Jeff Chapman, and lead Loren Harris had all left the group. Former Kingsmen tenor Joshua Horrell, former Monuments and Impacts bass Brad Smith, and former Kingsmen lead Chris Bryant all joined to fill those positions. The group also added guitarist and utility vocalist, John Young. With this new lineup solidified by September of 2023, the group then began work on this new record. No Better Time showcases this exciting new Kingdom Heirs lineup on twelve well crafted songs of hope and inspiration.

This much anticipated album opens with toe-tapper “The Lord’s Been Good To Me.” This fun tune is very much in-line with the classic Kingdom Heirs sound especially since it was co-written by frequent KH collaborator, the late Dianne Wilkinson. Chris Bryant takes the lead on the group’s current single “Until Prayer Changes Me.” This powerful ballad reminds us that God walks every long weary mile with us! God sees each heartache and He never stops caring! So I pray until Heaven comes down. I pray until prayer changes me! Joshua Horrell is featured on the earnest, energy filled title track. “No Better Time” encourages listeners to reach for God today! We all have a story and past. God is faithful and still changes lives today! There is no better time to seize your Salvation! Brad Smith and Chris Bryant take the verses of the fun, mid-tempo tune “I Want To Live Like Jesus.” This great song co-written by Dianne Wilkinson and Ernie Haase simply says: I want to live like Jesus everyday. I want to share His Love to all. Andy Stringfield takes the lead on the powerful ballad “Life Hurst, God Heals.” This incredible song proclaims that God is faithful. He is the Comforter. He is the Healer. He restores! He is never out of reach. There is never a heartache that God cannot bear. Joshua Horrell is featured again on “We’ll Be Movin’,” a fun, jazzy tune that looks forward to eternity in Heaven with Jesus. Horrell’s stellar tenor has been a fantastic addition to the group. He brings a similar style and energy in-line with past tenors Jodi Hosterman, Billy Hodges, and Jerry Martin. “All The Way To The Gates” is an up-tempo classic KH style song that simply says: I will praise His Name all the way to the Gates! Chris Bryant is featured again on the beautiful ballad “Already Free.” This powerful song tells of the transforming power and Love of Jesus. He loved us like we were already free. While I was still a sinner, He saw Mercy. He redeems. Long before the chains fell at my feet, He loved me. “One More Promise,” featuring Andy Stringfield and Chris Bryant, reminds us that we can stand on the Promises of Jesus. We can take Him at His Word. Brad Smith takes the lead on the energy filled “I Went Down.” This fun tune tells of the life changing power of God. Smith’s smooth and dynamic bass voice has been an incredible addition to the group. Smith had some big shoes to fill replacing Jeff Chapman. He has been able to maintain a similar sound, but also bring his own style to the group as well. Joshua Horrell takes the lead on the beautiful ballad “He Still Is.” This incredible song reminds us again of God’s faithfulness. He still is the God of Abraham. He still is the only Great I Am. He is the God of Mercy. He forgives! John Young is featured on the groovy closing track “Yesterday, Today, Forever Faithful.” This fun, up-tempo tune simply says: God has a plan and He will never forsake us! He is yesterday, today, and forever faithful.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

THE KINGDOM HEIRS DELIVER ONE THE BEST ALBUMS OF THE YEAR IN MY OPINION WITH THIS RECORD. THIS NEW LINEUP IS SIMPLY FANTASTIC! GOD HAS TRULY BLESSED THIS GROUP. IT IS NOT EASY TO HAVE TO REPLACE MULTIPLE VOCALISTS AND MAINTAIN A FAMILIAR SOUND THAT LISTENERS HAVE COME TO LOVE. IN MY OPINION, THEY HAVE SUCCEEDED IN THAT ENDEAVOR. EACH NEW VOCALIST HAD BIG SHOES TO FILL AND THEY HAVE ALL BROUGHT SOMETHING INCREDIBLE TO THOSE POSITIONS. INCREDIBLE SONGS, STELLAR VOCALS, AND TOP NOTCH PRODUCTION QUALITY.

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: “I WENT DOWN,” “WE’LL BE MOVIN’,” “NO BETTER TIME,” “ALL THE WAY TO THE GATES,” AND “LIFE HURTS, GOD HEALS.”

5 OUT OF 5 STARS!

FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.kingdomheirs.com