It's Time! (Candi Staton album)

It's Time! is an album by the American singer Candi Staton.[2][3] It was released in 1995.[4] The album was nominated for a National Association of Independent Recording Distributors and Manufacturers Award, in the "Gospel/religious" category.[5]

It's Time!
Studio album by
Released1995
GenreGospel
LabelIntersound[1]
ProducerMarcus Williams
Candi Staton chronology
I Give You Praise
(1993)
It's Time!
(1995)
Cover Me
(1997)

"Mama" was a minor hit, and became a popular song to play on Mother's Day.[6] It was named "Song of the Year" for the 1996 National Parents' Day; Staton performed the song for the Clintons at a Parents' Day event.[7]

Production and promotion edit

The album was produced by Staton's son, Marcus Williams.[8][9] "Mama" was written by Staton in 1992.[10] Staton promoted the album by appearing on BET's Our Voices Thanksgiving program.[10]

Critical reception edit

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [9]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music     [11]
MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide     [12]

The Washington Post wrote that Staton "punctuates the Lord's praises with songs that are firmly rooted in everyday concerns and issues ... there's nearly always a fire burning in Staton's voice when she sings, a tone of unwavering passion and commitment."[13] The Dallas Morning News thought that the album "combines the best elements of [Staton's musical past]: gospel heart, Southern enunciation as sweet and measured as molasses and upbeat disco rhythms."[14] Cash Box called the album "a southern brand of gospel that could get the devil on his feet."[15]

AllMusic noted that "'The Blood' and 'I Want To Grow' express light jazz elements, while 'Rapture Me' is pure funk."[9]

Track listing edit

No.TitleLength
1."When I See the Blood" 
2."Mama" 
3."Somebody's Knocking" 
4."I'm Changed" 
5."The Greatest Worship" 
6."Prelude" 
7."Born Again" 
8."You Can Make It" 
9."He Steps In" 
10."Rapture" 
11."I Want to Grow" 
12."Prelude 'Reprise'" 

References edit

  1. ^ "Candi Staton Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
  2. ^ Norment, Lynn (Mar 1996). "Sounding off". Ebony. Vol. 51, no. 5. p. 21.
  3. ^ Dingmann, Tracy (January 10, 1997). "A Changed Life". Albuquerque Journal. p. E3.
  4. ^ Holsey, Steve (30 Aug 1995). "Candi Staton, who is now a gospel singer...". Michigan Chronicle. No. 49. p. 1B.
  5. ^ "NAIRD's '95 Indie Award nominees". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 19. May 11, 1996. p. 50.
  6. ^ Carpenter, Bil (January 30, 2005). Uncloudy Days: The Gospel Music Encyclopedia. Hal Leonard Corporation.
  7. ^ Carter, Ulish (5 Oct 1996). "Former Pop Stars Release Gospel Albums". New Pittsburgh Courier. p. B5.
  8. ^ Verna, Paul (Oct 28, 1995). "Albums — It's Time! by Candi Staton". Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 43. p. 88.
  9. ^ a b c "It's Time". AllMusic.
  10. ^ a b Walton, Brian M. (25 Oct 1995). "New Music Reviews". The Washington Informer. No. 1. p. 19.
  11. ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 7. MUZE. p. 720.
  12. ^ MusicHound R&B: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1998. p. 537.
  13. ^ "Staton Returns to Gospel Roots". The Washington Post. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  14. ^ Weitz, Matthew (January 13, 1996). "Spirited Media". The Dallas Morning News. p. 6G.
  15. ^ Robertson IV, Gil L. (21 October 1995). "Urban" (PDF). Cash Box. p. 11. Retrieved 10 November 2022.