CD Review: Dwayne Lee Live – Victorious Praise

Victorious Praise
Dwayne Lee
Psalm 27 Records 2003
www.dwayneleesings.com

I am not certain whether Dwayne Lee, a young singer from Chicago’s Apostolic Church of God, was inspired by Walter Hawkins, but his crooning baritone and precision reading of a lyric are certainly reminiscent of vintage Hawkins.

Victorious Praise, Dwayne Lee’s sophomore outing, features uncomplicated melodies that provide an effective setting for Lee’s pleasant, easy-on-the-ears voice, and an ensemble of well-disciplined background vocalists. The production offers up a variety of musical flavors, such as a brassy Latin feel to the title track and a Middle Eastern riff at the end of “Set Me Free.” The finest cuts on the project, “If I Could Just Explain” and “At Your Name,” are gospel ballads that showcase Lee joyously belting out the praises.

Victorious Praise is an enjoyable listen and well worth a spin to hear a talented vocalist with obvious musical training sing with spirit and verve.