RiZen

By Monica Watkins, contributing writer, GospelMusicChannel.com 

Free is the third offering from RiZen. The original four-member group is now a duo, but sisters and founding members Adriann and Aundrea Lewis are having no problems carrying the torch.

Free kicks into high gear from track one with a spicy, up-tempo assurance that “He’ll Make A Way,” segueing into the title track, which oddly sounds like a dance tune from a 1980s vault. Predominantly upbeat offerings with classic church elements, hearts of worship pierce through on songs like “Live to Love” – where fans are treated to a vocal cameo by Fred Hammond – “Just for Me (He Did It),” and “I Owe It All to You.” 

“Dance” is four-and-a-half minutes of self-proclaimed praise party. A funky, rock guitar intro leads into a contemporary tune, allowing little room to do anything other than what the song’s title suggests. 

Once again, RiZen remarkably blends the traditional foot-stomping, hand-clapping, classic Gospel sounds of pioneers like The Clark Sisters, with sounds similar to the contemporary influences of today’s Gospel landscape like Mary Mary. Despite the notable member changes, fans will be hard-pressed to detect a missing beat, because RiZen simply doesn’t miss one on Free.

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