Sean O’Bryan Smith’s latest release called Reflection is a spirited collection of hymns and worship tunes that are rooted in soul music. The acclaimed bass player recruited such great musicians as Randy Brecker, Chuck Loeb, Gerald Albright, Frank Catalano, Jack Pearson (The Allman Brothers), Jeff Franzel (Taylor Swift, *NSYNC, Clay Aiken), vocalist Lisa Hearns and actor-musician-spoken word artist Malcolm Jamal-Warner to join him on 12-traditional and original compositions that will surely comfort and inspire you. Smith’s offers a powerful funk rendition of “How Great Thou Art” as the opener while “Blessed Assurance” becomes a soul tune that would be at home on adult contemporary radio.
Chuck Loeb’s spirited guitar stands out on “Blessed Be Your Name,” the first single serviced to radio. Jeff Franzel’s original, “Me Without You,” features Lisa Hearns accompanied by piano and six-string bass. “Called” gives voice to Albright’s reassuring sax on the invigorating contemporary jazz affirmation while Randy Brecker’s prayerful trumpet provides a personal declaration on the melodically meditative “Give Me Jesus.” Smith becomes the “bass prophet” and presides at the pulpit to deliver a rousing sermon as a celestial choir bears witness on the gospel classic “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power.” Smith also composed the music for the title track, “Reflection.”
It is a powerful and contemplative bass, B3 organ and spoken word piece that closes the collection. His probing bass invites a soul-searching journey, an honest introspective rumination on self-love and surrendering to faith.
[sotj]