Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Welcome The New Christian Music Storm Trooper!



  It Appears The Force Is Behind Beloved







          On October 2, 2015 Centricity Music introduced the debut release from Jordan Feliz, Beloved. I have to wonder if they knew what the future had in store for this Christian soul/pop artist who has definitely awakened the ears of listeners. 

     
Jordan's earned the Storm Trooper nickname from me because The River has taken the Christian music charts by storm. Currently he is dominating the airwaves with this soulfully addicting masterpiece. I believe this will be one of many for this rising talented writer and performer who shares why his debut number one hit is his happy place. 


     “I’m a big melody guy, and musically The River is my own personal happy place. It’s a great driving groove that just feels good to sing. The song itself is an invitation to anyone who hears it whether they’re stuck in pride and legalism or wallowing down in the mess they’ve made of their lives. It’s an invitation to take whatever we have and to run to Jesus. It’s an invitation to go down in amazing grace and to rise up being made new."


      In 2014, Jordan walked away from a worship leader position in California along with his beautiful wife Jamie to start a new chapter of their lives in Nashville Tennessee. After struggling for several months to find work they found out they were expecting a beautiful baby girl. Shortly after receiving that news God began to open up doors and blessings upon their obedience.

      Jordan had always had a love for music which created the eight year friendship between he and his current manager Adam Taylor, who he had met in California while both playing a gig. They pulled together in Nashville and signed a deal with Centricity Music in February of 2015. Shortly after that we begin to see how all of this talent began to unfold to the general public that God had been preparing all along.

     For such a time as this, I am sure is a scripture that truly absorbs into the hearts and spirits of this beautiful family who now have so many reasons to be thankful.  One of the greatest blessings they have is their five month old baby girl who inspired the message behind one of my favorite songs and title track Beloved.  Jordan wrote this song thinking about his daughter before she was born.  It's a sincerely heartfelt ballad encouraging others to realize what their worth is to God and those that love them. "You are essential, not accidental And you should realize You are beloved I wanted you to know You are beloved Let it soak into your soul."

     Dancing Through The Fire, definitely has a resemblance to the secular sounds of Maroon5. It really is just plain and simple great musicianship with vocals and a message that are welcomingly original in this genre.  I believe there are a few artists and bands that are beginning to come out with this funky feel good vibe, while still staying true to their spirit and message they want to share of the gospel and their relationship with Christ.  

     One of the best lyrical messages on the album that has an extremely catchy chorus is Simple.  I believe a big reason why it's so difficult to share the Gospel with others in our society today is because as Christians we have complicated His message. This song draws us back to the Cross, "So I open up my mouth and show your kids what you're about and keep it simple.  Don't want to mix up your words with mine, I want to live to reflect your light.  Give me you, give me truth and the rest will fall in line.  Don't want my pride to get in the way of the love that you give away. Give me you, give me truth that the cross can save us all, it's really that simple."

     Rejoice is perfectly named as a celebration in the life that we receive through the grace and love of Christ.  It falls in line with the rest of the album having a melody that is very persuasive to make your head begin to nod uncontrollably. 

     My personal favorite song on the album, which was extremely difficult to narrow down is Satisfied.  Jordan has incredible vocals so it was nice to here a more stripped down worship melody emoted perfectly with a softer tone. You can also feel he is truly passionate about what he is singing. "I have stumbled through the darkest of the valleys. I have climbed upon the highest of hills. All my traveling has brought me to your fountain, and all I want is to come and drink my fill. My heart. Your throne. This life belongs to you and you alone. Let there be, no divide in only you may my soul be satisfied."

     There are four song sessions included on the album. One of which you can see below (Beloved) and his other number one song taking the waves by storm, The River.  On my favorite songs list by NeedToBreathe, Brother happens to be one of the covers that he includes along with Photograph by Ed Sheeran.    



    
     Produced by Joshua Silverberg and Colby Wedgeworth, Jordan has ignited a fan base and created a promising future for his self following his dreams supported by his lovely wife.  The only question I would venture to ask is, "How in the world is he going to top his debut?"  I'm certain his name will be floating around the Dove Awards as well as the Klove Fan Awards next year, of that there is no doubt in my mind.  

     Jordan states below his reason for creating this album that has volumes of talent and heart felt throughout every single track. I would say five out of five stars in my book, and that is one I rarely distribute.  I personally cannot wait to hear what the future holds for this young artist, and I hope to catch him on tour. 

     “I really just wanted this to be a project that people would smile when they listened to it.
I wanted to write songs that would make people feel loved. I want them to feel good. Whatever the complications of life that we might be going through at any given moment, our relationships with Jesus don’t have to be difficult. We have a tendency to make it so much harder on ourselves than it really is. We think God can’t love us because we’re struggling with something or we messed up somewhere. But it’s not that complicated. God loves us. Our ransom has been paid. The emotional baggage we carry around doesn’t change the truth. We belong to God and He loves us. It really is that simple. We just have to be constantly reminded of that. The work has already been done on the cross. We just have to remind ourselves and each other to believe it.”

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