Main Review
My brother-in-law Chris Mercado, also known as ‘Crescendo’ on Orlando’s indie Christian hip-hop scene first introduced
named Manwell. Little did I know, the same Manwell would go on a year later to form a national hip-hop group called
Group 1 Crew. When G1C started out before being signed by Fervent Records in 2006, they were simply known as Group
One. The group consisted of Manwell Reyes, Pablo Villatoro and Blanca Reyes (no relation to Manwell). The group
released their highly successful and Dove-award winning self-titled debut on Fervent in February of 2007. From the time
of the release of their debut they have garnered radio success with such singles as “Love Is a Beautiful Thing” &
“(Everybody’s Gotta) Song to Sing”. 2008 brings the release of their highly anticipated sophomore release, Ordinary
Dreamers.
Let me first start off by saying that while growing up, hip-hop was not really a style of music that I was particularly fond of,
unless of course you consider MC Hammer & Vanilla Ice hip-hop. That was basically the only hip-hop (or referred to as
‘rap’ back then) that I had been familiar with. After listening through to G1C’s debut and seeing them in concert a few
times in the past year, it was a sound and style I had been unfamiliar with prior, to something that had a great message
and probably some of the catchiest music tracks out there. Ordinary Dreamers offers a little of both. First off, for anyone
who enjoyed their debut, the sophomore effort picks up where they left off. At first, the hip-hop lingo kind of went over my
head but after going back and looking over it, (and having the ‘rhymes’ explained to me), I could better understand the
message.
The album hits it off with the techno hip-hop track, “Movin”. My interpretation of the song is that as brothers and sisters in
Christ, we need to keep out faith movin’, witnessing to those we come in contact with. “You don’t have to wait anymore its
all yours for sure, let your faith walk it out now, walk it out now”
8-bit Nintendo chirps start out the next track that caught my attention, “Gimme That Funk”. Music is the universal language
that really brings people of different diversities together. I like how the song refers to ‘the funky rhythm’ as a ‘medicine’ of
sorts to those who need it. The track is definitely catchy, but its message can be discerned different ways.
One of the emotionally and heart-felt tracks on the album would be “Tonight”. The song speaks of someone who has lost
someone close to them and how their relationship with God helps them through it. While the situation portrayed in the
song may not be the same as one in your life, I think we relate to it or have known someone who has endured a loss. It’s
important to know that our faith in Christ helps us to overcome those tough situations. I have known people who I thought
have been taken too early, but I realize that God is still in control and has a purpose for everything. We just have to keep
our faith and trust in Him and realize that sooner or later, everything will be alright. I like the chorus, how it refers to God’s
healing of our feelings as a ‘lullaby’. “Tonight let every tear you cry and everything wrong inside, bring you to me and I will
be your lullaby cause even in the hardest times you only need to realize, what you mean to me so let me be your lullaby”.
The first single from the album, “Keys to the Kingdom” has an interesting concept. The condition of today’s world often
reminds me of what Jesus said in Matthew 4:17 when he says “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” Through
our relationship with Christ, we have the ‘keys’ to the kingdom. I like the wording found in the verse, where it compares a
Christian who has become back-sliden, to someone who hasn’t ‘lost’ the keys, but simply ‘misplaced’ them. I like that,
good analogy.
“Closer” is probably the furthest song from being hip-hop, more bordering on a praise & worship song. The song, whose
message talks about having a closer relationship with the Lord, reminds me of a lot the Psalms in which David asks and
desires to be closer with God. “Take my life, I need you now / Draw me closer draw me closer / I’m on my knees, I’m
crying out / Draw me closer I want to be closer to You”. The song really shows off Blanca Reyes’ amazing vocal ability.
There are two hip-hop female vocalists that just mesmerize me with their God-given ability, one being tobyMac’s Nirva
Dorsaint-Ready and the other, Group 1 Crew’s very own, Blanca Reyes. “Closer” is probably my favorite cut on the
record. Great song.
The message of “Critical Emergency” is a constant reminder of the state of our society. There are people out there caught
up in addictions, addictions that are impossible to overcome without God’s help. If only the world would turn to God,
things would be better. But, the Lord has given us free-will to make our own choices, lead our own lives without Him if we
so choose. It’s the condition of our world that would be categorized in other words, a critical emergency. A critical need
for God to intervene. It’s only going to be able to continue for so much more time, and then it will all come to an end. As
Christians we need to help those who have fallen, show them the way and show them that they need not to continue in
their sinful ways. There is a God who is there for them, a God who loved them enough to send His very best to bring us
closer to Him. The song is right, we’re in a critical emergency situation and we need the Lord’s ambulance (Jesus) to
come and save us before its too late.
Closing Thoughts
I’ll be honest with you. While I wasn’t sure at first at how I would like the album, I have to say that I enjoyed Ordinary
Dreamers. I’m not that used to the style of music (hip-hop) and I had to really pay attention to what the album’s message
was saying, through it’s hip-hop lingo. And, although it may be worded differently then a traditional CCM album, I can
assure you the message was there. I was impressed with the writing and overall talent that this group brings forth. In the
times I have seen them while they’re on tour; it’s very evident as to what these guys (and girl) are all about. Although
Ordinary Dreamers may be different then what you’re used to, it’s got a good message and probably some of the
catchiest music tracks out there. I enjoyed it and would recommend at the very least taking a listen to what Group 1 Crew
has to offer and decide for yourself.
This group is blessed with the talent, and Ordinary Dreamers portrays that talent without compromising what they’ve set
out to do and that’s to win people to Christ with their encouraging messages and stories. It doesn’t matter if the vehicle
for that message is hip-hop, rock or pop, G1C delivers in its sophomore effort. Good job.
Review Written By: Jay Heilman [jay.heilman@christianmusicreview.org] on 9/15/2008
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