Producer: Ricky Atkinson
Label: Gospel Heritage Records/Lamp Music Group
Website: [url=http://www.rickyatkinson.com]http://www.rickyatkinson.com [/url]
Ricky Atkinson & Compassion is a group poised and ready to make a colossal splash in the industry. Although Ricky Atkinson is the head of the group and the resident songwriter, and his brother Samuel is the baritone, it is the voice of Samuel’s wife, LaBreeska that turns my ears. With a tone very similar to that of Kim Ruppe-Lord (LordSong), I can’t help but be taken in by her singing. If the group keeps on the path it appears they are taking musically, there is nothing that can stand in their way.
Barreling right out of the gate is the highly stimulating ”I’M BLESSED “, which features LaBreeska. By the time the song is over, you too will be singing… “It’s been a long journey, but I have been blessed!” This is an outstanding song and very encouraging, as is the title song ”IN A BETTER LAND.” What a blessed thought knowing that we will see our loved ones in Christ again someday… “in a better land.”
The pace picks up with the peppy, ”IF THE CHURCH DON’T RISE” and then slows back down with the thought provoking ”ONLY DAY YOU HAVE” featuring LaBreeska, before picking the pace back up with ”THE ONLY WAY” which features Samuel.
In a semi-acoustical arrangement, Ricky sings “IN THE SAVIOR’S HANDS” which offers encouragement that “there will be grace to make it through this trail, there will be strength to walk another mile, there will be hope when I’ve done all I can… it’s in the Savior’s hands.” Ricky also takes the lead on the catchy “SONG IN MY SOUL”, which is very cleverly written by Ricky.
Samuel steps up once again to sing, “GOD HAS PROVIDED”, while LaBreeska leads on the exultant “ARMY OF ONE” which Ricky co-wrote with Jeff Steele.
“THE PRODIGAL’S FATHER” puts a unique spin on the story of the prodigal son. How would things have been if the father has not welcomed his son back home? As the song poses the question, “What about the prodigal’s father?”
This is an excellent effort by Ricky and the gang. Excellent singing, adequate music tracks and lyrically strong songs make for a really great recording and another reason for Southern Gospel Music to be proud of some its younger talent.
Personal Favs: I’M BLESSED; IN A BETTER LAND; ONLY DAY YOU HAVE; IN THE SAVIOR’S HANDS; SONG IN MY SOUL
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