Album Review: "Spirit of David" by Fred Hammond and Radical For Christ

1996, Christian w/R&B, Funk, Soul, and Jazz Influences

"David was a worshiper, he was a true worshiper, he had the heart of God and that’s what this displays. It kind of goes through things believers had to go through, the same way David had to go through, praise and thanksgiving, adversity and trials, restoration and justification. That’s what we’re going to talk about and get into with all of these songs right here” - Fred Hammond

Review

In my opinion, this album was definitely a game changer for the Christian music world and did well reflecting it’s time period of 90s RnB. With a mixture of choiresque funky upbeat worship, to mellow, pensive and high-praise ballad-like tracks, this album has a track for every listener, and a track for every moment.

This album crossed genres with Funk, Soul, RnB and Jazz. What specifically sets this album apart for me is the obvious intentionality of each song, nearly every track is based off of a Psalm, with the corresponding Psalm verse next to the track name.

The book of Psalms is a conglomerate of songs of praise to God, and this body of work reflects that well. Just like the book has a Psalm for praising/giving thanks and for trials and hardships and for redemption, so does this album. Tracks 1-5 represent “Praise and Thanksgiving. 6-11 represents “Adversity and Triumph” and 12-16 represents "Restoration and Justification.” The name of the album is “Spirit of David” and as we listen and reflect on the Psalms and bask in the Lord’s goodness, the idea is for us to employ the Spirit of David—because he had the heart of God.

Upon initially listening to this album, I never thought gospel music could be so amazing. This album is especially near and dear to my heart because it was the first one I found and fell in love on my own. At the time, the only gospel I knew was from my mom or what I heard growing up and I’m not saying that’s a bad thing because her gospel playlist was fire okay!--- But at this point in my life, I was fighting the urge to listen to secular music and this album helped draw me closer to Christ.

Music is one of my ultimate love languages and I think this goes for everyone, but I need music to set my mood for every moment of the day, I’m always singing, humming, and acting like I’m in a music video haha. But I was getting bored of the same selection, So I was on the hunt for christian music that was in the style of the secular music I liked, which was 90s Rnb. The Holy Spirit brought me to this album. This album changed my outlook on Gospel music and helped broaden my selection.

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Tracklist

1. The Spirit of David 2. When the Spirit of the Lord 3. Oh Give Thanks (Psalm 136) 4. Shout Unto God (Psalm 47) 5. Keeping My Mind (Psalm 119:97) 6. No Weapon 7. Blessings and Honor (Psalm 45:6) 8. Success is in Your Hand (Psalm 37:4,5) 9. Dwell (91:1) 10. Promise Keeper (Psalm 37:25) 11. The Lord Is Good (Psalm 100:5) 12. Draw Nigh (Psalm 42:1) 13. Breathe Into Me Oh Lord (Psalm 119:25) 14. Prodigal Son (Psalm 32:5) 15. Lo I Am With You (Psalm 23:4) 16. Call me Righteous (Romans 4:5-8)

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