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Kendall
King Sings For A Reason On Her Debut Project  Kendall
King is one of gospel music’s best kept secrets. Not so much
a secret in her native Washington, D.C., King is known as an exceptional
singer, songwriter and producer. Having sung with gospel music greats
like LaShun Pace, Beverly Crawford, James Bignon, John P.
Kee and the late O’landa Draper, she’s a
member of the world-renowned Howard Gospel Choir.
A graphic designer by day and songstress by night, King counts Twinkie
Clark, Thomas Whitfield and John P. Kee
as her musical influences. Her music reflects these inspirations and
many more in a variety of musical genres including jazz, pop and R&B.
Delivering her debut project, For A Reason, Kendall King is destined to bless many with her 16-track musical offering. At All Times opens the CD with a smooth, jazzy, improvisational intro of praise. One of the most powerful cuts on the project is How Excellent with its catchy hook and slick urban groove. A perfect track for R&B radio, it’s an in-your-face song of thanks and adoration. Penned by King, How Excellent even contains a rap from William Mason, Jr. You’ll be lifting your hands (as you dance) to this one. Rain, another Kendall King creation, hits hard with its funky and soulful vibe. The head-bobber’s lyrics beg God for His rain of blessing and to “drench me with your love”. It’s another well-penned track as is the smoothed-out track Say So. This CD is one to put in and let play. Blending numerous musical styles like urban A/C, R&B, neo-soul, jazz, and contemporary gospel, Kendall seems to excel at them all, yet putting her own stamp on each sound. King’s beautiful ballad of gratitude Thank You is a memorable one. It’s a theme that permeates each song. Perhaps it’s the joy of completing the project – one that was a long time coming. From deaths in her family to her own personal illness to having to re-record the entire project due to computer failure, the completion of the CD was a test of perseverance. But the tests just made Kendall more determined to do what God had commissioned her to do. “Although it was a struggle to complete it, I knew this was what God had envisioned and what He had given to me. He told me to do it so I pressed my way on,” she says. She even changed the title the project. “God told me to rename the project For A Reason because through the loss and disappointment, I came to understand that everything happens for a reason; there’s a purpose for it all. Just because you don’t see it at the time doesn’t mean there’s not a purpose.” Sticking with the subject of thankfulness, King also delivers So Good, a mid-tempo, uplifting song. As with many songs on this project, this one is worthy of the repeat button. All My Love Parts 1 & 2, two lush musical interludes, flaunts the artist’s astounding ability to arrange one musical idea in a multiplicity of ways. My Soul Doth Magnify, the lead single of For A Reason, is a pretty song of appreciation to God. Taking us back to old-time church, she excels on Saved, a song of testimony. Giving it a “Kendall King” twist, she remakes the popular church tune while keeping the traditional interpretation of the song. Glory finds King giving it her all; it’s another excellently written song. The title tune, a radio-ready song begging to be a hit, For A Reason, closes out this great collection of music. Kendall King is an exceptional songwriter with an amazing talent. Few songwriters are able to weave relevant themes around such tasteful and sophisticated melodies. With emotive vocals and outstanding songs, I can’t wait to see what else is in store for this amazingly gifted artist. For more information about Kendall King, log on to www.KKProductions.biz. |