Also check out my interview with Coko at Middle Child Promotions!
www.middlechildpromotions.com

Coko: Grateful “Yes, Gospel” An Album Review by Nfared
Dave Hollister has done it. Kelly Price has done it. Even Al Green did it.
Going from R&B to gospel can be one of the most interesting things an artist can
do with their career. The naysayers will naysay as they usually do, rejecting
the mere thought of someone who used to sing “secular” music now singing for the
Lord. Coko had to have known what she was getting herself into, going from
singing with one of the top female R&B groups of the 90s to now debuting a
gospel album, “Grateful”. This isn’t Kansas anymore.

The title track “Grateful” smoothly encourages feelings of gratitude for the
works of God. The chorus is a tie a string to your finger reminder to not take
things for granted; “Are you grateful? /got a little money/got a little car/but
you complain cause you want more/be grateful/for the little things…” Languid and
fluid, the track calls for humility and patience. The jumpy “Clap Your Hands” is
a celebration. Coko, ever the vocal talent, perks up her voice, adding more
vibrato and enthusiasm as she describes, “See something happened/to me on the
inside/I’ve been changed/I got this feeling I can’t hide.” Her excitement is
inspiring as she hits high notes and then squalls with what seems like little
more than natural effort. She then moves on to make history by inviting a few of
R&B’s greatest to remake the Clark Sister’s “Endow Me”. Faith Evans, Fantasia,
and Lil Mo’ join Coko on the album’s most moving song. The power of all four
singers is indescribable; they riff, they
run, they hit the high notes that seem impossible to reach. Hairs on the backs
of necks—hairs on the tops of heads, will stand as the women sing, “Endow me
lord/with the power/of the holy ghost.” She relaxes with “Reason”. The slick
Warren “Baby Dub” Campbell produced track with its soothing flute is midtempo,
yet tranquil. Coko adds to the tranquil end, singing “I’m happy and I/don’t
worry no more/cause I found joy”. In the “Hymn Melody” Coko creates one song
from gospel songs, “Just As I Am, Lamb Of God, and Thank You Lord.” Here Coko
displays why she is one of gospel’s greats. Even at the top of her soaring
range, Coko sings so smoothly and naturally, it’s as if it is taking her no
effort to hit the space like notes she achieves as she sings, “Jesus, ohhhh
Jesus.”

Needle Meter Sure she sang about going downtown. Sure her previous solo album
was titled “Hot Coko”. With “Grateful” there is no mistaking Coko’s dedication
to God, no matter what she may have sang about before. In fact this album is a
message that an artist can be multidimensional without showing neglect to either
side of themselves. Coko has made the transition from R&B to gospel seamless. A
vocal talent that is flawless, no matter what she is singing about, only
compounds this. According to Coko, God has been good to her. Perhaps as a
payback, she has been good to music.
Five Needles! A Gospel Classic!

















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