Customer Reviews

Brand New Day

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Forget all your problems. Forget all your worries;" those are a few words of the title track, "Brand New Day" and after absorbing this spirited musical effort from Jonathan Butler into your spirit, you will find it easier to do just that.

Brand New Day is Jonathan Butler's second full solo offering of inspirational music. The project could have easily been titled "The Worship Project Too" or "The Worship Project 2" for it is a glorious rendering of inspiring and uplifting compositions that I find are love songs to Jesus Christ and music with a message for the rest of us.

The South African born Butler, known in some circles as an accomplished smooth jazz guitarist and vocalist/R&B artist, is absolutely unashamed with sharing his personal relationship with Christ with the masses. Just as he so fervently did on his previous inspirational effort, he again demonstrates his ministry in song here. Butler is more than a guitar playing genius - he is an outstanding vocalist, accomplished writer, arranger and producer. Jonathan is from a very musical family and being the last born of 12 children, it appears that perhaps, God saved the best for last?

Brand New Day offers you 13 wonderful tracks and assisting Jonathan in the production area is the very capable, Luther "Mano" Hanes. who also assisted in the expert engineering of this project. My faves on this work include, "Brand New Day", "Mercy" (featuring Jonathan's daughter, Jodie), "Let The Redeemed Say So", "We Love to Praise Your Name" and " He Said He Would."

Jonathan Butler: "Brand New Day" - a blessing from beginning to end.

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Jonathans' all so positively inspiring lyrics, outstanding vocal range and capabilites, his brilliant acoustic fluidity and musical arrangement, on Brand New Day, are truely to be admired. Jonathan and all involved take it nice and easy on 'You Are My Everything', 'He Said He Would', 'I Love to Worship', 'Tell Me (Do You Still Love Jesus), I Believe, and the beautiful duet with one of his sweet sounding songbird daughters Jodie, titled 'Mercy'. Jonathan continues his infectious devotion to God with the upbeat memoriable 'O, Magnify The Lord', 'Brand New Day', 'Gonna Lift You Up', 'Let The Redeemed Say So' and 'We Love To Praise Your Name'. This is a wonderful CD, to listen to in your car, or just listen to with your loved ones(children included), in good times or bad. Judiciously absorb each positive word, and note, of Jonathans' 'Brand New Day' and I'm sure you'll agree, it is absolutely brilliant. Thank you God, for Jonathan Butler.

Jonathan Butler has an awesome annointing that blesses the body of Christ. His talents mesmerized the world of jazz lovers but is now exactly where Our Heavenly Father intended for it to be used from the foundations of the world. It is truly a shame for the children of this world are quicker to recognize what those of us in Christ are the last to recognize.

Sincerely,

Kevin Lee

Everyone has hit on the spiritual aspects of this CD. This is definately a worship project, but musically - I think it's one of the best cd's in relation to soundstage and imaging that I've heard. This project was mssterfully recorded for the Master. The Brand New Day reprise is a treat to any high end system. Great Job Mr. Butler!

I must admit I'm an unabashed Jonathan Butler fan. As far as I'm concerned, he could sing the phone book and make it entertaining. I have seen him live in concert and enjoyed "Live in South Africa" immensely. I really appreciated "The Worship Project" for its purity, simplicity and heart. I told him of my appreciation of that album at his Rendezvous All-Stars concert back in 2006, in Memphis. At that time the Gospel Goes Classical was in the pipeline and although Mr. Butler's contributions were good, I was left feeling a little short changed by the experience. "Brand New Day", however has exceeded expectations. Although lyrically not ploughing any new territory, muscially this is a more varied project moving from praise into worship and with a much higher level of production. The variety of styles helps to keep the listenber engaged - it's great to work out to, by the way...

The songs aren't entirely self composed, in fact Jonathan reworks the old standby "O Magnify the Lord" and refreshes it with a latin feel. The biggest stylistic shift is the collaboration with Israel Houghton on "Gonna Lift You Up" which really rocks out! The duet with his daughter Jodie, called "Mercy" is one of a number of very sweet worship songs that could easily be adapted for most congregations. The final two selections are among my favorites; " I Believe" (not to be confused with another track bearing the same title on his "Surrender" album) is a sumptious ballad replete with a gorgeous string arrangement, beautifully sung. while the final track is another simple yet heartfelt plea to "Tell me (Do you still love Jesus)" accompanied by just Jonathan's tasty electric guitar - once again reminding us that he is a very accomplished jazz guitarist.

If I have one fear, it is that this project, like his previous one will not get the promotion or the attention it deserves within the Christian marketplace. Make no mistake - Jonathan Butler has taken it to the next level with this quality release.

Awesome job! Highly anointed and inspirational. I ordered one for myself and one for my brother after hearing about the new album at a jazz concert in Columbia, MD. He enjoyed it as well and listened to it all day. Hope this isn't your last gospel album.

K.Thrower

At this point, I own all of his music, to review his work is futile, the guy makes brillant music hands down, so nothing more to say, this CD is incredibly beautiful, great vocals and incredible tunes you will love!

Another good gospel work of Jonathan! The tracks I prefer are 1, 3, 5 and 12. Like in a lot of gospel songs, often the lyrics are repetitive, but Jonathan's remedy is his wonderful music.

Although it is admirable that Jonathon has finally picked a permanent direction to go into, I don't think he was diminished as an artist in past projects singing love songs to the Lord through every day experiences. One of the things that never fails to gaul me is that we know the Creator but we continue to turn out predictable, merely acceptable, and sometimes mediocre fare. This work is nothing if not predictable and just because he tours with Juanita Bynum and her push button Christian audience doesn't mean his potential and talent is well represented here. I know I'm going to get some unwanted criticism on this but it only proves how far the Kingdom has fallen creatively if I do.

Raphael E.