Albert Jamison presents The New York State Mass Choir - Show Yourself Mighty

Each and every year since 1967, the Gospel Music Workshop of America shows themselves mighty when it comes to seeking fresh faces, showcasing familiar music ministers, and expanding the worship music spectrum.  One ambassador for the GMWA is the current chairman of the board, Bishop Albert Jamison, who rounds up some of the best east coast gospel luminaries for Show Yourself Mighty.  Jamison is rarely heard on the recording front this decade with the exception of some vocal solo spots on GMWA annual convention recordings from 2003& 2004.  During the eighties and nineties, the New York native who collaborated with the Triboro Mass Choir and New York State Mass Choir are just a few of the many gospelteers such as Hezekiah Walker, James Hall, and Reverend Timothy Wright that still light up the east coast worship landscape.  Triboro’s 1981 Savoy Records release He’ll Make Everything Alright was nominated for a Grammy.  

How does the Bishop balance all his current administrative duties including GMWA, pasturing Pleasant Grove Tabernacle, and oversee financing for the Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship?  Jamison credits his father for those solid entrepreneurial skills he developed while growing up as he sacrificed his friends and stickball for learning responsibility outside the classroom.  He has also successfully dealt with a stuttering problem since childhood.

Walker takes the first lead spot for Just Your Name Alone, a contemporary praise number coupled with one of the great choruses of the church from O Come All Ye Faithful.  Background vocalist Clay Johnson and Lucinda Moore help recapture those times for the past two decades when east coast choirs displayed lots of fervor and flexibility.

The title track is a simple chorus that repeats numerous times while slowly goes up the scale for nearly the five-plus minutes.  But Jamison’s exhortation of the scripture: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalms 30:5) and driving spirit keeps the song intact.

Youthful Praise’s primary songwriters are represented with songwriting contributions.  Mother Rubenstein McClure and Kervy Brown spark an unquenchable passion throughout Shawn Brown’s Nothing Shall Separate Me (I Can’t Do It).  Lily of the Valley by James JJ Hairston, transports everyone to traditional church service anchored by another earth shattering vocal, this time from Evangelist Doreen Figueroa.

Do you love me for me or do you love me because of what I did for you?  That is a question from God that Jamison poses toward the Pleasant Grove congregation in the prelude to Not My Will.  The subject relates to his emotional confrontation with God about his son’s death.

Just when you thought the adoration for God was overflowing, Jamison drops back-to-back favorites from the Triboro Mass Choir songbook.  Bishop Paul S. Morton spices up a duet with Jamison for In God’s Own Time (If I Can Hold Out) about passing the test (2 Corinthians 2:9) given to all the saints.  Pleasant Grove’s minister of music Ronald Banks joins forces on My Witness, confirming that God has approved our stance in doing his work:  “Well done my good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:21)

Both Bishops return along with Timiney Caton for Like a Shepherd, a powerful urban remake composed by one of Integrity Music’s veteran worship leader and songwriter, Don Moen.   

The fitting finale from the pen of Reverend Milton Biggham, He Won’t Fail brings back some of the excellent supporting cast, including a fine turn from Reverend Timothy Wright. 

Two of New York’s next generation of gospel talent, producers David Canton& Jules Bartholomew anchor the backing musicians, managing a credible job on the more traditional fare and the quieter praise selections, especially the reinterpretation of Moen’s Like a Shepherd.  The few disappointments are when they attempt the contemporary gospel pieces, such as the motivational themed Chosen Generation with a weak reggae breakdown midway through, and a flat rendition of I Owe All You All the Praise, featuring the usually reliable Pastor John P. Kee.  Overall though, Jamison is a truly gifted communicator and most of Show Yourselves Mighty proves the east coast puts on a mighty potent gospel workshop of their own.