Written by Mark Chappelle Coston for Elev8.com (@MarkChappelle on Twitter). You can’t keep a good man down. Can’t keep him hidden behind the scenes either. Myron Butler was almost one of gospel music’s best kept secrets, but now the cat’s out of the bag. From the late 90s as the director of Kirk Franklin’s hit-making crossover ensemble God’s Property, to the present as the sought-after arranger behind hit records from Tamela Mann, Marvin Sapp, and others, Myron has steadily gained momentum.
Five years ago, Myron Butler & Levi launched their debut album Set Me Free that scooped up five Stellar awards and a Grammy nomination. Their 2007 sophomore set Stronger handily lived up to its name. Now, as if his arms weren’t already cluttered with enough accolades, Myron Butler & Levi returned to their hometown to record their first live album: Revealed… Live In Dallas.
“The album is a snapshot of my continual pursuit of God. Pursuit is something on-going …we as Christians should be on a lifelong process and pursuit of the knowledge of God. I want to encourage listeners in their own process to continue to pursue God. It is one of our life long duties – to know and to relate to God.” – Myron Butler
The first track and lead single “Revealed” is the grand affair you would expect from Myron Butler & Levi. All the elements are present: youthful energy driven by a pocket drummer, radiophilic band hits, and an intelligent horn arrangement to boot. Its meaty chord changes carry the sophistication of an Earth Wind & Fire piece and give the gospel a comforting presence and weight. Of course, it wouldn’t be what it is without Levi’s hallmark: airtight, churning, harmonies that invert climactically up the scale like acrobats in a Cirque du Soleil show.
Revealed keeps its cameo appearances purposeful and impactful with Kirk Franklin leading the charge on the Jackson-fantastic “I Just Can’t Live.” In case you’re wondering, it has more than a little in common with “Can You Feel It,” and that’s never a bad thing! Someone’s got to keep the torch of real music burning right? And since so much of popular music’s sound is owed to a church genesis, it’s only fitting that some of that cream rises to the top of this song’s polished surface.
The prize for most sonically intriguing goes to “Holy God,” a rock-edged song of adoration that takes a familiar cue from the hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Almighty.” Its call-and-response vamp allows Levi to show of some satisfying and colorfully dense vocal arrangements.
“I Choose To Believe” follows in the fancy footsteps of the first track “Revealed.” It’s fun to get lost in the changes of this musically commanding number. And it should be known that the drummer on this song is earning his/her paycheck. Trust.
“I Am God” presents the simple yet profound sentiment of Mark 8:27-33 in a cleverly offset 5/4 time signature. The spiritedly sung chorus is one that will easily get repeat plays. Clearly an adroit writer and arranger, Myron’s elegant musical nuances might come off as grandstanding if the song wasn’t so pleasant to listen to.
In my opinion the centerpiece of album is “Run To The Cross,” which takes full advantage of the only other guest appearance on Revealed, a penetrating lead vocal from Grammy-winner and EMI labelmate Smokie Norful. Even if you were to try and pass over this release, “Run To The Cross” is not likely to be a song you’ll be able to ignore. If gospel radio knows what’s good for people, it will embrace this song with open arms.
“Moving Closer” provides a tenderly sung coda in the album’s sequence. For those who embraced Israel Houghton’s “Moving Forward,” this song will sit nicely by its side. Its light and crisp layers of percussion, strings, and vocals that build to a rapturous Fifth Dimension-inspired climax will fit nicely into the prayer closet playlists of saints everywhere. Here’s a spoiler alert that you’ll thank me for, though: the song fades out just as Myron threatens to go into another hands-up hymn favorite “Draw Me Nearer Blessed Lord.” So before you get ready to ascend to the upper room, saints, just remember… I told you so. What a tease! Hopefully the full performance is revealed on a DVD of the live performance.
