Wanda Nero Butler - No Failure

It's a bit of mystery why Wanda Nero Butler has flown under the radar all these years. But there is definitely respectfor this Stellar Award nominated and GMWA Excellence Award winning singer/songwriter/actress who has touched gospel and theater audiences for over twenty years. Two of her Billboard Magazine charting hits include "Hey Ya'll" and "New Born Soul" from the late eighties. After a long tenure with Westbound Records’ gospel imprint, Sounds of Gospel, Butler signed with Motor City Praise Records, located in one of her current hometowns, Detroit.No Failure is the first CD since 2001, a welcome return to the recording fold.

She was awarded the Ambassador to the State of Arkansas during President Bill Clinton's term. But to her loyal fans, she is known as the ‘Princess of Gospel’.  Butler also expanded her vocal repertoire and range studying voice at Los Angeles Community College. Besides the love of gospel music, her theater stage experience since the late seventies runs the gamut from Evolution of the Blues to Jesus Christ Superstar. Musically, she has worked with top rate voiceslike Vickie Winans, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, and Angie Stone.

Compared to Butler’s SOG recordings, No Failure leans less on hardcore traditional roots.  The opening track is the exception as Victoria Vaughn and Butler create an emphatic praise atmosphere throughout the title track declaring: "there's no failure in our God."

There are other praise and worship gems; several blending bits of tradition with the sassiness of the contemporary.  Clanging percussion and funky blues overtones on "Clap Yo Hands" transport listeners to front and back porch jam sessions.   Angie Stone could be proud of "No One," delivering mid-tempo classic new soul aura and juicy acoustic guitar strokes.   Pam & Dodi add to the triple threat pulsating lead vocal attack, while Uncle Mizer (alias producer Marcus Devine) gets into the act on the last few bars. 

Butler’s musicality is also comfortable in the modern urban arrangements.  "Yes," featuring a shivering bass groove and an electrifying chorus, calls us to surrender our will and ways to Him: "If you tell me to sing I’ll sing, if you tell me to pray I’ll pray…What I’m trying to say is I’m staying in your will."  "So Good" has a softer but still catchy rhythm track slightly reminiscent to Brandy & Monica’s "The Boy Is Mine."  Lyrically, the song emphasizes to "taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psalm 34:8) and gratitude for waking up to see another day and seeing our children grow up.

For the more fundamental soul music lovers, "Round & Round" is a classy ballad that witnesses God’s work in motion such as "a smile of a child at play or a rainbow after a rainy day."  Butler’s adventurous voice goes round and round - caressing the soul one moment; then shouting to the mountaintops the next.

"Time," a revisualization of the Cyndi Lauper Pop 10 smash hit from the eighties, "Time After Time" turns into a comforting piece for those who experience harsh and somewhat unfair circumstances in their lives.   

Marcus Devine, AKA Da Heatmizer, the established producer/songwriter/vocalist (Deitrick Haddon, Men of Standard) has played on numerous Butler projects, including the musical director role on Live In Birmingham (Alabama).   His long time association with Butler is a great benefit on No Failure with their musical chemistry from the modern urban beats of "Yes," to warm acoustic soul surrounding "Home," and the traditional gospel fireworks sparking "No Failure."  The only detriment is the touting of No Failure ‘for Old School sake’ by adding a few record vinyl scratches (featured on "Round & Round").   There are also a few tracks dipping in dreaded electronic vocal enhancements that the Old School definitely avoided vocal wise.  Nonetheless, No Failure should break the mold for Butler and will attract a bigger audience with her inviting vocals and a wealth of material for gospel radio to choose from.  

For more information on Butler, go to www.motorcitypraiserecords.com.