The Anointed Pace Sisters - Return

By Peggy Oliver

While growing up, every night at bedtime, nine sisters made the sweet sound of music. The melody still lingers on as The Anointed Pace Sisters (TAPS) provide a high-spirited homecoming, appropriately named, “Return”, the first for gospel powerhouse label, Tyscot Records.

Through the years, there was church, talent shows and a major highlight as the Best Gospel Group at an annual COGIC (Church of God in Christ) music convention in the early seventies, under the direction of pioneer, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark. About two decades and two independent recordings later, the Atlanta-based family signed to Savoy Records, as their first CD, U-Know, generated a monster inspirational piece, When God Is In The Building and stayed on the charts well over a year.

Another album followed; then the lengthy hiatus. TAPS (DeJuaii, Duranice, June, Latrice, Leslie, Lydia, Melonda and Phyllis) returned to the studio in 2003 for It’s Already Done, courtesy of Gospel Pace Music, headed by brother, Bishop Murphy Pace. In between ministering across the U.S. and Europe, they acted in and contributed to The Fighting Temptations soundtrack. Individually the sisters write much of their material, plus teach and evangelize. Let's not omit the gifts of another Pace sister, LaShun, who has pursued a fruitful solo career but always plays a major role whether singing lead or as songwriter.

The first single, High Praise, initiates Return with lots of glory, and a gentle reminder during the breakdown, “Now just for what He’s done, But for His loving kindness.” DJ/producer Terrence Parker drops some mighty house beats on the remix version. Reign Forever asks, “Will you be ready?” for that everlasting time when we see our loved ones again? Leslie Pace also places a call for those sopranos, altos and tenors in the building to rein down their joy.

Injecting some hip-hop attitude through the lead of Lydia Pace, Strategically Ordered plots out His workmanship, especially in our mistakes and “all of life’s hurricanes.” Here’s where the peace that surpasses all understanding enfolds. Contentment echoes the sentiment, whether the car breaks down or sleeping on the floor. Latrice Pace-Spreights handles the lead duties.

In the ballad, The Words U Said, centering on restoration and trust, TAPS showcases their pure harmonies, especially in the final moments hovering around “the shadow of His wings” (Psalm 57:1, Psalm 63:7). June Pace-Martin, somewhat channeling LaShun, holds down the lead on Hold On, a back-to-basics, hand-clapping praise buster, where “the race is not given to the swift, but to the one that endureth” (Ecclesiastes 9:11).

Rescue mixes in some rock elements, emphasizing the battle between the enemy’s intent to “kill, steal, and destroy” (John 10:10), while claiming His name loudly and unashamedly. Bringing back a TAPS favorite, It’s Already Done, led enthusiastically by Duranice Pace, states “look to the hills” (Psalm 121:1-2) instead of the world. Next we enter God’s World, as Melonda Pace delivers a message to increase our praise territory: “Step into your secret closet of prayer” (Matthew 6:6-8).

LaShun joins the Pace sisterhood for He’s Here, and frankly wastes no time citing Zephaniah 3:17. This piece, written by musical director/producer, Daniel Moore II, sandwiches in When God Is In The Building.

The title track closes the live recording from Siloam International in the greater Atlanta, Georgia area. Heading the house band is Moore II, flanked by such players as Darrell Freeman (Queen Latifah, Micah Stampley), Rick Walford (Pastor Shirley Caesar), and June Pace’s son Dennis L. Martin adding keyboards. Aided by a four-piece brass section, they expertly cover a wide variety of genres. Return, also out on DVD, delivers musical blessings, many pinches of exhortations, and marvelous Pace bedtime memories.

For tour dates and additional information on TAPS, go to www.theanointedpacesisters.com or www.tyscot.com.