Toni Rackard | Unconditional Love
Toni Rackard – Unconditional Love
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As a highly regarded worship leader in her Florida home church, Toni Rackard realized her voice was an absolute gift from God. With a soprano that boasts the lung power of Jennifer Hudson and a hearty spirit to match, Rackard was a perfect candidate to be an urban music recording star. When she was growing up, she formed several girl groups with her friends, even though none of them panned out. However, those shortcomings did not stop Rackard’s drive to pursue her destiny. The question was would her voice be used for R&B grooves or gospel glory. Once she chose her direction, the goal was to maintain the spiritual integrity within her music ministry. When dealing with doubts about life’s daily curve balls, the current praise and worship leader at Jesus People Worship Center in Tampa, Florida learned to tap into God’s presence. The uncompromising passion Rackard exercises during the live church service translates nicely in the recording studio on her debut from Beneath the Veil Records, Unconditional Love(originally released last summer as Are You Ready for War?).
Mixing Rackard’s strength in praise and worship with a modern R&B ambience by producer Lewis Bryant (who worked with Freddie Jackson on It’s Your Move in 2004), Unconditional Love is a distinguished debut. Usually, it is customary to start an urban contemporary record with an up-tempo bang. Not the case here. Unconditional Love instead proceeds with a slow tempo bang. Rackard lays her heart and soul throughout “I Can See the Light,” calling on believers to surrender all to Jesus: “Here I am, I’m your child, I bow before You to serve You now.” Then there are the funky surges. The title track rocks Mtume’s ‘Juicy’ rhythm. In a precious change of pace, Rackard concludes with a sincere prayer about not letting circumstances overcome the senses. The majestic “Arise Within Us” explodes off the disc player with the syncopated strings, Rackard’s assertive lead and blazing backing choir (with all parts ably provided by Rackard).
Delivering a jazzier frame of mind, “Lovely Day” is a welcome remake of the inspirational Bill Withers classic, which was also covered by Kirk Franklin off his Nu Nation Project. No doubt, a gospel project needs a healthy injection of praise dance. The house music beats of “Let Us Dance” gets the job done. Switching to a darker blues mood, “Lord I Cry for You” is an intense plea to rely on Christ’s strength instead of our own. There is always room for a moving worship melody; in this case “You Are Lord Forever.” This Rackard composition backed with the classic “We Exalt Thee” and “Just to Be Close to You” (recorded by Fred Hammond) is accompanied by Rackard’s pastor, Pastor Andre Mitchell on keyboard. Finally, “You Pulled Me Through” with strains of Michael Jackson’s Human Nature, features a riveting duet turn by Marvin Winans, Jr.
After listening to Unconditional Love, Toni Rackard should become a gospel music household name in the very near future. Unconditional Love also provides a much needed jolt of strong praise and worship when life’s chips are down.
Peggy Oliver
The Urban Music Scene