Mary Mary | Something Big | TheUrbanMusicScene.com

Mary Mary | Something Big
By Peggy Oliver

From the moment that funky message heard around the world of being freed from the chains that bind us in life – entitled “Shackles,” Mary Mary still stands strong in the gospel industry. This international hit in 2000 was just the beginning for sisters Erika and Tina Atkins with a ministry that keeps on blossoming with uplifting tunes like “Heaven,” “In the Morning,” “I Try,” “Yesterday” and “Get Up.” Though there have been intermissions (starting their respective families) and inconveniences (music piracy on the rise in the millennium), the ladies now known as Erika and Tina Campbell keep on pressing for the cause of Christ. Their audiences span from pop to hip-hop. Yet the gospel message remains firm and consistent; no matter how the message is delivered. With five discs to their credit – all with Warryn Campbell in the production chair – including their most recent offering and most popular disc to date, The Sound, Something Big presents another healthy contemporary gospel mix of rock, R&B, hip-hop and jazz.

Here is the track synopsis in order of song appearance:

“Something Bigger” celebrates world music with hypnotizing African vibes and rapid fire dancehall reggae style leads from Erika and Tina. The rhythmic R&B ballad, “Blind” states about how fragile the human condition can be: “Marked and damaged, return to sender” but those of the Christian faith realize Jesus understands the hurts faced on a daily basis. In an
unusual acapella arrangement, “It Is Well,” takes its cue from the classic hymn while reflecting Mary Mary’s quieter vocal demeanor. The trance-induced anthem, “Never Wave My Flag” declares complete victory in Jesus: “And now I’m stronger, I’m a fighter and only victory can satisfy this hunger.” “Walking,” the first single from Something Big introduced in 2010, advises those who are rushing through life to slowdown so one can learn from their mistakes. This mid-tempo old-school U.K. R&B smooth groove (think Loose Ends and Lisa Stansfield) and a few turntable scratches to boot is spruced up with some mild humor as a laid back male voice hands out the marching orders: “left right left right.” The follow-up track, “Slow Walk” repeats the main hook from “Walking” with a list of instructions to better ourselves in that daily walk. “Survive” captures that sweet soul essence from the seventies with fairly self-explanatory lyrics. The closing pieces on Something Big lean more towards pop sensibility. “Are You Ready” is a bouncy mid-tempo R&B/pop sensibility piece that inquires about getting our minds right to mature in our faith. While “Catch Me” has a mellow rock feel, “Sitting with Me” delivers a harder ambient edge (think Plumb and Evanescence); the latter telling a tale of those who seem misfits when it comes to the ‘in-crowd.’ The poignant “Homecoming Glory” closes with an almost unplugged arrangement.

True to their mission as ambassadors for Christ in conjunction with Something Big,
Mary Mary is in the middle of a six-week campaign to encourage those to stretch out to those in true need – from serving the homelessness to the elderly. As for the musical content, Something Big balances praise worship and inspiration, strongly connects with different age groups and faith levels; and naturally is locked up by the sturdy voices from Erika & Tina. In other words, Something Big will once again be something special for their growing legacy in contemporary gospel music.

Peggy Oliver

The Urban Music Scene