Kirk Franklin & the Family's eponymous debut album is a stunningly assured blend of old-fashioned gospel, contemporary soul, and hip-hop. Franklin remains, in his words, a "church boy," but he doesn't hesitate to embrace the conventions and styles of contemporary R&B, which results in some inspired, unexpected fusions. It is truly a record that updates, recontextualizes, and redefines what contemporary gospel can mean in the '90s. ~ Rodney Batdorf, All Music Guide
Joe Ligon (Engineer), Kevin Bond (Remixing), Bryan Cole (Choir, Chorus), John Drummond (?), Arthur Dyer (Producer), Arthur Dyer (Musical Director), Arthur Dyer (Overdub Engineer), Arthur Dyer (Musical Direction), Kirk Franklin (Arranger), Kirk Franklin (Vocals), Kirk Franklin (Main Performer), Kirk Franklin (Liner Notes), Kirk Franklin (Vocal Arrangement), Rodney Frazier (Producer), Rodney Frazier (Mixing), Rodney Frazier (Overdub Engineer), Steve Lowery (Engineer), Keith Rust (Engineer), Keith Rust (Mixing), Mark Williams (Engineer), Mark Williams (Remixing), Terry Young (Vocals), Darrell Blair (Vocals), Darrell Blair (Choir, Chorus), Sheila Brice (Vocals), Sheila Brice (Choir, Chorus), Cassandra Cleveland (Vocals), Byron Cole (Vocals), Dalon Collins (Vocals), Dalon Collins (Choir, Chorus), Demetrius Herefort (Vocals), Tamela Mann (Vocals), Tamela Mann (Choir, Chorus), Yolanda McDonald (Vocals), Yolanda McDonald (Choir, Chorus), Terri Pace (Vocals), Terri Pace (Choir, Chorus), Ramona White (Vocals), Ramona White (Choir, Chorus), Jerome Allen (Bass), Paul Christiansen (Engineer), Jerome Harmon (Keyboards), Donald Lawrence (Remixing), Eric Morgan (Drums), Bobby Sparks (Keyboards), Duane Starling (Vocals), Duane Starling (Choir, Chorus), Nelda Washington (Vocals), Nelda Washington (Choir, Chorus), Teresa Young (Vocals), Teresa Young (Choir, Chorus), Carnie Young-Davis (Vocals), Keisha Grandy (Choir, Chorus), Toni Smith (Director), Kirk Franklin & the Family (Performer), Wendy McFadden (Art Direction), Wendy McFadden (Design), Vicki Mack Lataillade (Executive Producer), Sarah Brewington (Art Direction), Sarah Brewington (Design), Steve Haldeman (Mastering), Tom L. Smith (Director), George Clinkscals (Production Coordination), Tommy Colter (Choir, Chorus), Janette Williams (Choir, Chorus), Anthony Thomas (Leader), Anthony Thomas (Vocals), David A. Mann (Vocals), David A. Mann (Choir, Chorus)
'Kirk Franklin & the Family' is the first album released by Kirk Franklin. This is also the first album by Franklin in collaboration with the vocal ensemble "The Family". The U.S. release on Sparrow Records occurred on June 29, 1993 (1993-06-29).
The album was recorded live on July 25, 1992 (1992-07-25) at Grace Temple Church in Fort Worth, Texas and produced by Rodney Frazier and Arthur Dyer.
All songs on the album were written and arranged by Kirk Franklin. "Speak To Me" includes partial adaptation of a Stanley Brown/Hezekiah Walker composition.[1]
Track listing
#
Title
Time
Lead Vocals
1.
Why We Sing
5:54
Franklin
2.
He's Able
4:05
Franklin; David Mann
3.
Silver and Gold
4:51
Cassandra Cleveland
4.
Call On The Lord
3:31
Sheila Brice
5.
Real Love
5:22
Teresa Young; Dalon Collins; Yolanda McDonald
6.
He Can Handle It
5:06
Franklin
7.
A Letter From My Friend
5:41
Dalon Collins
8.
The Family Worship Medley
7:55
Terri Pace; Nelda Washington; Demetrius Herefort; Darrell Blair; Tamela Mann
9.
Speak To Me
4:19
Franklin; Byron Cole
10.
Till We Meet Again
7:10
Carrie Young-Davis; Ramona White; Duwan Starling
Certification and Chart Success
The album was certified Platinum on November 14, 1995 (1995-11-14). [2]
"Why We Sing" • "Now Behold the Lamb" • "Melodies From Heaven" • "Stomp" • "Lean on Me" • "Gonna Be A Lovely Day" • "Nobody" • "Brighter Day" • "Looking for You" • "Imagine Me" • "Look At Me Now" • "Declaration (This is It)" • "Jesus" • "Help Me Believe"
