| How many countless Christian LPs have the Sonlight boys appeared on over the years? Most notably, they served as the back-up band for early CCM legend, Andrae Crouch. Although keyboardist Harlan Rogers, drummer Bill Maxwell, and guitarist Hadley Hockensmith would record several jazz albums in the 80's as Koinonia, this is their only 70's collective effort using the Sonlight moniker. Originally the album was released as a 1973 self-titled LP on Light Records with the band name "Sonlight." At the time, Fletch Wiley was also in the group, contributing trumpet, flugelhorn, trombone, and flute. Wherever these guys appear as session musicians, there is usually a jazzy poprock atmosphere, and that's the case here as well. Songs like "Day of Salvation" and "I Saw His Face" have that soft breeze jazz-pop vibe with easy listening vocals and airy harmonies. Also a few MOR ballads in here typical of the Light label. The brass works well on "Walk in the Spirit," a slow funk tune with fuzz guitar. On other tracks, the horns take a back seat like the gospel edged "Standing In the Liberty," or the slow rocking "Freedom Bells;" both featuring The Band-like classic rock influence. In the heavier category are "The Way" (with good muscular guitar work), and "The Truth of Salvation," an energetic jazz-rock workout where the guitar and organ truly get down and jam. Sharp cover art, the four guys' heads fused into what looks like an orange psychedelic fireball. This 2014 release is the first time this long-lost classic album has been available on CD. |
