My MUST HAVE Album of 2020!
Most of us have been in quarantine or at the very least social distancing. Leaving us plenty of time to Netflix and chill, try new recipes, read, and one of my favorite past times listen to music. I love finding new artists and one way I have done that is by being a subscriber to Terrell Grice’s YouTube channel. I’m not sure how I found him, but I am so happy that I did. On his show he prides himself on introducing his followers to artists that can SANG! Most of these artists are successful in their own right, but may not have a strong mainstream following. He plays a game of song association with them where he gives the artist a word and they have 10 seconds (11 during the pandemic) to sing a song that includes the name within the song or in the title. It is simple, but because of his personality he gives them a level of comfort that shows us a different side of each artist. So not only do we get to hear them SANG, but we get to know them as people. If you aren’t watching his YouTube… what are you doing?? You can find him here. Go get your life !
That was my long-winded way of sharing who Terrell is before I introduced his album. At the beginning of this year he came out with an album called “An Invitation to the Cookout.” Listen, it is my favorite album of 2020. Many of the artists names you won’t recognize and I discovered them either through Terrell’s Song Association show or because of his American Idol like competition called Race to Blue on his channel. The album is an excellent mixture of R&B, Pop, and Gospel. I enjoy it from front to back, minus that Shai remake but that’s just me. You can often find me cooking, dancing, singing, and rejoicing to this album as I cook or clean in my kitchen. Trust me take some time to listen and you will not be disappointed.
This is hard, but I’m going to share my Top 5 songs on the album.
Untouchable ft. Brooke Simpson and Lex Cole This is my favorite song on the Album. The simple production is led by the voices of Brooke and Lex. The song opens with just the piano in the background and the way that these ladies croon over the beat, just WOW. Lord have mercy, I get the feels every single time. It is so beautiful. When the beat drops 3:30 into the song and then they hit that bridge you would think I’m Whitney chile because I can’t stop myself from singing along… and the lyrics, listen Terrell did his thing with them. I really feel them.
“So tell me what you wanting me to be now
Just tell me what I don’t have that you need
It’s just killing me every time that I see you with somebody else that isn’t me.” I have been there and these ladies delivered it effortlessly. Listen to the live version. You will not be disappointed.Dance ft. Candice Boyd, Kate Stewart, and Sharaya J
The song opens up with Sharaya rhyming with a sassy flow. This song gives me a Pop vibe, but Candice’s voice is so R&B and the beat is a 90s vibe you get a mix of both. Kate gives us that pop but almost country vibe because she has sort of a twang. Looking at these artists on paper I would have never thought to put them on a song together. Hence the reason why I am not in the business, but it works. This is my favorite upbeat song on the album. It does just what it says and haves you ready to dance.
Dear God ft. MaKenzie Thomas This is my favorite Gospel song on the album and there are several good ones. This one may be the most simple, but Ms. Thomas’s control is so beautiful. I feel like she is speaking to God for me. When she says “Holy Spirit, won’t you rain on me, You offer constant reassurance in my time of need. You are all I need and more.” Lord I just feel it. If you have ever heard her sing you know that she has a BIG voice, but she reins it in for this song. She gives us just what we need and it’s perfection. It’s just like you and God talking. This song was written by Terrell and MaKenzie, but it feels familiar, so beautiful!
All ft. Jaeden Gray and Saeed The song opens up pulling no punches with these lyrics that just hit your bones. Jaeden’s voice is so unique and I love every moment of it. Terrell wrote the mess (you know what I wanted to say lol) out of this song. Saeed comes in on the second verse and it gets nasty, in a good way. They both have voices that tell us a story. When they get to “You are my light in the dark. Show me the way with your heart…. I’m so taken by you. Can’t stop thinking bout you.” I am believing anything they are saying at this point. We are talking R&B soul. It just hits different. Terrell is a genius and really has an ear for how to pair people on a song. You can hear George Lovett (in place of Jaeden Gray) and Saeed shut it down live .
Heartbreak Song ft. Kim Cruse with Kate Stewart crooning in the background is so beautiful. Kim has yet another unique voice that gives so much depth. When she sings you can tell that she can take you to church. However, this song is about heartbreak and she delivers. If you have ever been in a relationship where things are falling apart and you know it, but are having a hard time letting go Kim speaks directly to you. Watch Kim shut it down live.
Bonus Song: I couldn’t close out without mentioning All Night Long (Reprise) ft. Xavier Washington. He was my favorite on Race to Blue because his range was beyond my comprehension. Xavier is the A Cappella King and it shows. The fact that he laid this down bare!! Just come on King! Amazing is all I have to say.
I could literally go track by track and big up this album if I thought anyone would actually read it. There are some great samples as well. Can we talk ft. Avery Wilson, rock with you ft. Avery Wilson and Sonna, and Creep ft. Inayah gives us a vibe. I’ll close by saying you can go get your entire life and stream An Invitation to the Cookout on all streaming platforms. You won’t regret it.
All lyrics have been confirmed on genius.com.
