 We need more atheists turning to Christianity making music, because they seem so much more passionate about what they're singing about-- case in point: Wayne Caparas.
About twice a year, I discover a new artist for myself who is doing their own thing, which sounds like nothing else everybody else is doing, and this “new sound,” for me, is intoxicating. It's the kind of passionate, emotionally overwhelming, anointed-and-appointed music that comes along all too rarely these days, and on Wayne Caparas' “Gospel Project: Songs of Change,” I got that shiver through my soul I desperately long for. Caparas' music is honest, at times sensual (which most Christian music never allows itself to be), and musically diverse, complete with sax, fretless bass, and even some synthesizers used to good effect.
The key to getting an idea of who this Wayne Caparas is? His being a former atheist. That means he was informed by worldly, secular music like pop and jazz and all the other stuff we all know and love because it moves us emotionally. So when Caparas became “born again” and radically changed his life by deciding to follow Jesus Christ, he took his worldly music sense and adapted it to the Gospel message. And that's something to be thankful for, because the level of professionalism, matched with passion in singing, instrumentation, and melodies, makes for a CD which will be treasured, played over and over, and not thrown out or given away.
Oftentimes, great art is made when someone sacrifices all they know and have for something completely different. In Caparas' case, he gave up his upper East Side Manhattan apartment in New York City, a secular recording project, and a budding career on Broadway in order to devote his life to Gospel music and ministry along with raising his daughter, Amber, as a single parent.
Amber sings with her dad on the intensely powerful “Life Changer.” This is the kind of vocally strong song that would stop people in their tracks, the kind of song that would get a standing ovation whenever performed live.
Meanwhile, Caparas' voice is pure blue-eyed soul, by way of his French-Canadian/Filipino background, and this cool young guy is a vocal chameleon. On “Change,” he sounds like the Phantom of the Opera, Michael Crawford. On “You Call My Name,” you'll think you're listening to a Babyface smooth jazz/R&B ballad. And there's “Maybe, Maybe, Maybe,” which would do Harry Connick, Jr., proud with its sophisticated blend of funk and jazz.
Anyone who loves passionate music with a groove should get Wayne Caparas' “Gospel Project: Songs of Change.” This guy is one to watch, and you need to visit his site to read all about him and buy this extraordinary CD. --Mark Weber, ChristianMusicDaily.com
|
