Lanee' Battle: Press

GOSPEL FLAVA REVIEW

Vocalist Lanee' was last heard on the urban compilation gem, MSS Dynasty: The Hostile Takeover, delivering vocals on “In A Minute”.

On There R Times, Lanee' gives us an eclectic solo debut, combining with Gospel forces as divergent as Nureau specialist T.Boy and Tonex saxophonist Mel Holder and Love Unlimited's Ayana George.

The San Diego based but Hunstville, Alabama reared artist posseses a natural gift for song, seemingly effortlessly fashioning her round tones and easy phrasing around contemporary jazz cuts, soaring ballads, hip hop urbanity and reggae-doused praises.

In describing her project to Gospelflava.com, Lanee' echoed the very conclusion that the average listener would take home: ”Sometimes when you listen to some albums, you can get bored from hearing the same vocal tones used by the artist. On my album, there was a variety of styles used from rapsy to smoothed out vocals.”

Essentially divided into two parts, the project begins with a severe injection of urban contemporary. There are choice songs such as “This”, featuring Tonex on rap and T.Boy on production, “In A Minute” with its futuristic scolding set to big beats and acoustic guitar, and the relentless ride of the Tonex penned “Trippin” (addressing the topic of courtship in real honest fashion!).

The killer amongst these is “My Apology”. Unusual chord glides set to synth strings intro the slow-tempo piece which makes uses of vocal production techniques that work in the context of the song. Lanee' and Tonex sing in duet through the song, delivering an apology to God for sins done. The unorthodox squeezing of the multiple syllables into the catchy chorus hook is a masterstroke, and serves to embed it into the mind, and you find yourself singing it to your self over and over and over. “I hope you accept my apology, I’m sorry for all the things I have done”.

Lanee' On the album’s other half, NY-based saxophonist Mel Holder steps into his production shoes to fashion a smooth jazz / pop feel into the material. “U Can’t Beat God Giving” brings in guitar (John H. Smith), flugel horn (Ray Vega) and Gary Montunte’s keyboards for that big bandish vibe.

”Island of Praise” stands out as another album highlight. Crytikal peppers his singsong reggae-raps throughout the rhythmic song, written by Holder, as Battle puts a calypso spin on her vocal elements. Ayana George and others contribute background vocals.

The album concludes with a collection of softer ballads such as the title track, “Give My Love To You” (written by Lanee') and “Decision”, produced by the McKinney brothers and Minister RJ.

Toss in an effective vocals-supported altar call (mid-album) from Pastor T.J. Winters of Bayview Baptist Church in San Diego, and an exciting bonus track (“Nobody” featuring female rapper Sister Carol), and you’ve got yourself a real winner of a project.
Stan North - Gospel Flava


IDOL King
Not By Might
You can't help but to notice the lineup of friends that connect with the duo to make this project so notable. Lanee' adds her vocals to the slick track "Lord You're Worthy". Produced by Slack, this song speaks of God's mercy and grace even with our frailties and shortcomings.
Gerard Bonner - Gospel Flava


Various Nureau Artists
MSS Dynasty: The Hostile Takeover

Lanee' Battle delivers on "In A Minute", a call to holiness and a biting exposing pseudo saints, those who proclaim righteousness but wear it only as a facade. "In a minute we all going see who's really living what they preach. In a minute we all goin' see who's only bout the bling bling bling". The song hangs on a single and effective melody line. T.Boy joins in with a breathless rap as the song rounds second base.
Stan North - Gospel Flava