Lyle and Deborah Dukes & the Harvest Life Changers Church Mass Choir

By Robin Caldwell

The cover photo threw me for a loop: I expected the music on the encased CD would feature Lyle and Deborah Dukes as the sole artists. Instead, the two serve as executive producers of In His Presence (Sound of Harvest) though the fine print reads: The Harvest Life Changers Church Mass Choir . This, the second recording by the Dukes and the Mass Choir, is definitely a collaborative effort.

In His Presence showcases the talent of the Dukes (he penned three tracks while she wrote one and co-wrote the title track), praise and worship leader Stephen Hurd , veteran songstress Lashun Pace , and the extremely skilled voices of The Harvest Life Changers Church Mass Choir . There isn't one star on the CD but, Jason Eaglin figures prominently as a songwriter with great promise and the standout soloist is Vanita King .

For the most part, In His Presence is a traditional gospel CD. Most of the music is hand-clapping and foot-tapping. It is more of an emotional experience rather than worshipful. A number of the tracks are reminiscent of A and B selections sung on Sunday mornings by Sunday morning choirs. The exceptions are, however, the title track ( In His Presence ), which is co-written by Deborah Dukes with Jason Eaglin and The Wind of God —written and performed by Stephen Hurd. Both are clearly praise and worship songs thrust in the center of otherwise conventional music.

Can I Get a Witness and My God is Bigger Than That evoke images of foot washing ceremonies, chicken dinner fellowships, and Dottie Peoples singing On Time God . These songs are tributary to our elder family in Christ as well as the roots of gospel music.

The title track is most notable, “In His Presence,” which contains high quality instrumentation. The musicians behind Deborah Duke's lead are disciplined and focused. The choir actually ministers through their background lyrics while maintaining vocal harmonies that are rich and precise.

My favorite song on the CD is Holy Spirit sung by Vanita King and written by Jason Eaglin. King has such a pretty voice that both soothes and testifies. It is a small miracle to find a vocalist who can minister a song as though she means it—lives it—and can sing extremely well.

Guest artists Stephen Hurd and Lashun Pace bring special components to the project. Pace's voice has withstood the tests of time and is golden. Hurd's a cappella intro on The Wind of God is understated and simple. In this case, simplicity is a very good thing: An organ gently slides in to punctuate Hurd's leading into worship.

The Harvest Life Changers Church Mass Choir gets by with a little help from friends Hurd, Pace, and others though they don't need it. The choir has gifted vocalists and the skills necessary to sing harmonically and adeptly on their own.

In His Presence can be purchased online at the ministry site of Lyle and Deborah Dukes, which is www.harvestlifechangers.com .