Mandisa

“True Beauty”

Sparrow Records

11 tracks @ 43:00

Grade - A

            A few reviews in major Christian publications haven’t been overly excited about this debut, but I thought it was a very good listen.  I say this as someone who has never watched “American Idol” nor paid any attention to the hype machine for that show, therefore I did not have any preconceived notions about this artist.

            Regarding her experience on “AI” she says, “I think I came out of that whole experience understanding Jesus better.  I’d been a little sheltered in Christian circles and it helped me realize the kind of impact that Christians can make when they actually step out of their boxes and get involved in the world around them.”

            There’s a lot of great Christian talent behind this record, including Matthew West, Cindy Morgan and Brown Bannister.

            The first single “Only the World” has done well on secular and Christian radio charts.  With its disco-like strings it’s a song of hope about a future in heaven, “so much more than only the world.”  Don’t let the title fool you but “Shackles” is another hope-filled song. 

            “True Beauty” is based on “the love in your heart.”  I loved the lyric in “His Ways Are Higher” that goes “what could be stranger than God in a manger?”

            I also liked Mandisa’s duet with tobyMac on “Love Somebody.”.  It has a great retro disco beat.  I hope “Steal My Joy” becomes a single.  It’s an excellent modern spiritual.

            Mandisa says, “More than just a career, I really want to have a ministry that has an impact on people.  I want to use the platform the Lord has given me to speak to people about race issues within the body of Christ and also about health issues.  I just want to follow through with what is in my heart.  I never want to look back and wonder, ‘What would have happened if. . . .”

Rob S.

www.myspace.com/mandisa