The crooner known as The Sultry Tenor – Keith Williams – has earned his first Top Ten with the release of his sophomore CD “Tone For Worship” (EPM Music Group) that debuts at #8 on next week’s Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart. The uplifting urban inspirational and faith-oriented set was designed for those who enjoy their gospel with a velvety touch and warm sophistication. The tunes set the tone for worship at home, driving down the freeway or from a Sunday morning church pew. “All I can say is God is good,” Williams says. “This day has been a long time coming because the CD was supposed to be released last year but we wanted it to be right so we took our time and I’m really pleased and humbled by the public response to it.”
The current radio single “As For Me and My House” is an infectious steppers tune but the project also features other dance floor material such as “So Good To Be Back” and “Behind Me Now.” The balmy “You Are My Way Through,” “Tone For Worship” and “Anticipation” ballads are punctuated with spare jazzy piano chords that allow the intimate resonance of Williams’ enthralling voice to breathe through effortlessly. The sing-along “Strength” has a shoulder rocking `70s R&B feel and a couple of cool scat runs. The enchanting “All For You” is pure smooth jazz and “I Believe God” is a soulful declaration of faith. “I hate to categorize myself,” Williams says. “There’s something on the CD for every day of your week. I’m a church kid so there’s church music – music we can sing on Sunday morning. But I’m a real person and I live throughout the week so there’s music that deals with our every day ups and downs.”
Williams is a classically trained pianist and vocalist. He’s spent the last two decades as a worship leader at prestigious churches across the United States such as Ebenezer A.M.E. Church in Ft. Washington, Md. and the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. Over the years, Williams has written songs for Jennifer Holliday, Dottie Peoples and others. His debut CD, “…& Again I Say Rejoice,” appeared in 2008. As President and Creative Director of EPM Music Group, Williams has also been at the helm of the production and arranging of Earnest Pugh’s #1 hits “Rain On Us” and “I Need Your Glory.”
Visit www.IamKeithWilliams.com for more news on Keith Williams and the exciting activities in his life and music.
View “I Believe God” video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wi0Wv2OwKZE
