Sheri-Jones Moffett | Renewed

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She has a distinctive voice and glorious presence that has graced the gospel music scene for nearly two decades. Since singing with one of the most decorated contemporary mass choirs and as one half of a successful duo, it was a matter of time when a solo career for Sheri Jones-Moffett was eminent. Her musical counselors and overall experience interacting in various musical environments certainly provided that firm foundation that carries over into the present. O’Landa Draper, an influential choir director before his untimely passing, mentored Sheri Jones-Moffett through her early days, eventually introducing her to another mentor and one of Sheri’s staunch supporters to this day – Donald Lawrence. Before her longtime association with Lawrence, diehard gospel music followers first remember Sheri with The Voices of Binghampton (before the name change to Kevin Davidson & The Voices). Another supportive figure – fellow vocalist and Voices member Ted Winn – worked with Sheri for overten years and was also under Draper’s tutelage.

When Ted & Sheri started their own recording path, they immediately clicked with the contemporary gospel public. Their powerful debut, The Healing Starts Right Here, was one of the most talked about projects in 2001; and the comparisons to BeBe & CeCe started almost immediately. The attraction to this worship duo was an unquestionable phenomenon considering Healing was released with limited distribution from independent label Church Howse Music. Ted & Sheri’s version of “Come Ye Disconsolate” was a reshaping of a late 1700’s Lutheran church hymn into a relevant convicting alter call piece. Backing the duo on Healing was a group of prominent gospel artists; vocal arranger Lawrence, keyboardist/co-producer Myron Butler and co-producer Tonex. With their winning mix of traditional praise and worship and modern urban music flavors, the disc elevated the much-heralded duo with two Stellar Awards. After their follow-up Celebrate in 2004, which featured the invigorating title track, Ted & Sheri put their collaboration on hold indefinitely while pursuing solo ministries.

Sheri’s long-time association and connection with Lawrence since the mid-nineties has blossomed through the years in which she learned all the tools of the music industry, including understanding business etiquette behind the scenes. Since joining Lawrence’s Tri-City Singers, Sheri’s jazzy, durable soprano generated abuzz on songs such as “Keep On Blessing Me,” “Better” (the version on Finale), and her signature vocal stamp – “Encourage Yourself.” Now in her post Tri-City era, Sheri is ready to bless the masses on her solo debut Renewed – a musical soundtrack that documents all the dimensions of her life as a solid worshipper, a caring mother, a renewed spirit with increased insight, and an edifier of souls.

No one can accuse this EMI Gospel release as a one note musical project as Sheri explores several genres that accommodate her vocal depth and her songwriting abilities. These factors makes Renewed an appealing listening experience. The opening title track articulates that when we are overwhelmed, faith needs to be taken to the next level: “Now I am stronger and wiser and ready to fulfill the master’s plan.” Thought here is a serious message, the music is joyous old school soul as the hooks shout Isaac Hayes’ “Theme From Shaft” and the riffs drip the classic Motown beat. Though Sheri introduces “Free Indeed” as a bit different for her, this satisfying change of pace turns out to be a fun danceable pop/rock jam gospel artist Tye Tribbett could sink his teeth into. This song simply talks about the freedom that believers in Christ Jesus can experience. “Not Too Late To Dream” stays close to Lawrence’s inspirational themes about reaching one’s full potential. Yet with the recent leadership changes in the U.S., the lyrics obviously speak louder volumes. The pop/techno intense “Wonder” is an uninhibited praise for an absolute miracle – the healing of Sheri’s baby daughter. As a well-versed vocalist, Sheri has not forgotten the traditional roots of gospel as evidenced on “I Feel Your Spirit,” where a New Orleans Dixieland brass band joins forces with a mass choir. The brass band decides to stick around on the simmering blues-edged “Best Life”; striving to live everyday life stress-free. For the piece-de-resistance, the reprise of “Encourage Yourself” (from Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers fond Finale disc) ties a perfect bow to Sheri’s debut solo showcase. My only minor quip with the ten tracks on Renewed is the rhythm arrangement on “Wonder,” which sounds a bit suspiciously like Britney Spears recent hit “Womanizer.”

Ultimately with Renewed, Sheri has fruitfully started another chapter in her musical ministry spanning her gifts in the choir, duo and now solo setting. Her mentors – Draper and Lawrence – have truly served her well in every capacity as well. From this point on, the gospel music community will be well served no matter which direction Sheri decides to proceed on next.

Peggy Oliver

The Urban Music Scene