The Let Love Rule Project

By Peggy Oliver

Stepping up to those in economic, educational, and spiritual need, The Let Love Rule Project lends compassionate and challenging lyrics, adorned with down-to-earth jazz bits. Lead vocalist/songwriter, et.al. Cynthia Liggins Thomas, whose best known for the gospel hit, Your Mercy, has recorded two CDs with the Stellar Award-nominated quartet, Blessed. Thomas’ expressive vocal approach has also been heard on several music jingles, theater work, plus appearances at the New Orleans Jazz Heritage Festival. Her solo debut in 2003, All About Love, generated some airplay with “Let Brotherly Love Continue” seen on BET, and other video show outlets.

Now settled in N.O., the Loyola University Music graduate is one of two main players on LLR; the other being Loyola alum Shannon Brown Joseph, who serves God and community through her work in magazine publications such as GQ and Vogue, and presently as owner/managing director for Trailblazer Marketing, handling independent companies such as LLR’s distributor LuvMo Music, Thomas’ moniker. Providing the primary foundation is veteran producer/songwriter/keyboardist Shaun Brown, whose credits include Kirk Franklin and rapper Guru.

Acknowledging the difference between love and hate, Thomas and rapper VAR G glide on the title track’s smooth grooves, as the Lord’s grace is acknowledged: “If it wasn’t for His grace, where would you be today?” Squeezing some steamy blues for some critical news, Fatherless Child sends a stern message to both parents and their responsibilities: “How dare you walk away, as if you had ‘othing to do with it.”

Continuing with the focus of “children who are precious in His sight” (Isaiah 43:4), Take Care Of The Babies addresses the homeless and helpless children’s’ plight. This piece is dedicated to the Mother of Peace Orphanage in Zimbabwe, Africa.

“Life is a vapor…it quickly disappears” (James 4:14). Life can exceedingly matter when bonding starts in the home, as illustrated on Family. Thomas’s rendition and arrangement of Jesus Loves Me segues into God Loves You, as a sprinkling of warm vocal harmonies embrace the Creator’s obvious concerns for His family: “Why would you act as if His love isn’t real?”