Crystal Aikin - Crystal Aikin | TheUrbanMusicScene.com

Crystal Aikin – Crystal Aikin

Who could have thought that a recommendation from a total stranger was instrumental for a talent contestant to head for Los Angeles to become the next gospel music ambassador. Actually,
that stranger really was not too strange as this was just a passionate
and caring fan of Crystal Aikin informing her of Sunday Best – Black
Entertainment Television’s highest rated inspirational show to date,
hosted by Kirk Franklin. That
stranger was also aware of Aikin’s indisputable talent who persevered
through several heartbreaking moments of various competitions preceding
Sunday Best. Behind the big voice is also a big
heart to match; whether administering the gospel in song at her local
church, or treating the sick as a registered nurse.

Always enthralled with making music while growing up, the Washington state native was a bit apprehensive about developing a serious career. Of
course, she brought her dynamic voice to the church choir, and was
eventually called to bring her choir directing skills to the table. Besides
her local ministry, Aikin’s road was paved with several national talent
contests, including placing second in the 2004 Stellar Awards Gospel
Search to the now popular praise and worship leader, Micah Stampley. As
her musical gifts were very much in the picture, the much-driven Aikin,
already a Biology & Psychology major, returned to school in 2005. She successfully graduated from Pacific University in California in nursing, inspired by her mother who was also in the same field. Another
inspiration – her father – who encouraged many of her musical gifts,
unfortunately was not around to witness her capture the first place
spot on Sunday Best. For her hard-e arned
efforts, Aikin, along with SB runner up Sheri Addison, won recording
contracts to the highly regarded contemporary gospel label, Verity
Records.

In
typical protocol for award winners launching their solo recording
careers, both Addison and Aikin’s debuts incorporate top-of-the-line
urban and gospel producers – in Aikin’s case; Gerald Haddon & PAJAM
(J Moss & Paul Allen), amongst others. Living
in one of the U.S.’s un-churched states, known more for the alternative
musical scene (i.e. Kurt Cobain & Nirvana) and rock guitar hero
Jimi Hendrix, Aikin decided to take advantage to mix praise and
inspirational lyrics with several genres other than the more
conventional contemporary gospel settings (think Vickie Winans or
Judith McAllister).

On
most counts, Aikin’s dexterous voice that swept the Sunday Best studio
audience and voters off their feet carries off most of this
self-titled debut. The disc begins with the
first single, “I Desire You,” and “What If (He Said No),” both
tailor-made ballads for Aikin’s seamless vocal range. “He’s So Worthy” resounds with joy of the Lord from note one, adding a bit of traditional favor. Two
other note-worthy moments are the neo-soul punch of “Turn To Him” and
the Kirk Franklin guided “A Song for Jesus,” which bleeds his
R&B/hip-hop trademark sans his overzealous vocal for the sake of
Aikin’s performance.

Where
the disc gets quite dicey are “Lord You Reign Forever,” and “Love Him”
certainly not the fault of Aikin or the on-point lyrics relative to the
youth in relating to Christ. Somehow in those
two particular tracks, there are just glimpses of that exuberant vocal
quality unfortunately being marred by electronically enhanced
background vocals and mundane arrangements. In addition, the latter track is a bit over Aikin’s head with lyrics that include some street slang.

Assessing
Aikin’s solo recording debut, Aikin’s rock solid voice is compelling
and convicting just like all the Sunday Best showcases. But
just as song choice can make or break a performance as many idol talent
show judges will attest, so can the overall studio product. Her voice might be better served with stripped down musical backgrounds, which should be considered for her next disc. That
said, the stranger who brought Sunday Best to Aikin’s attention should
be commended for bringing this already gifted vocalist to gospel and
urban music’s attention.

Peggy Oliver

The Urban Music Scene

Listen to the self-titled release from Crystal Aikin & or purchase album exclusively from Amazon on The Gospel Page by here!