The Singletons

WELCOME WELCOMEIf their latest release, Better Than That, sounds like six women and two men so tight—so righteous and just plain right—that they could’ve “grown up singing together,” you couldn’t be more correct. Sisters Camilla, Andrea, and Catrice planted the first seeds of the larger group to come, as the Singleton Sisters. When nieces and nephews Crystal, Carmen, Tia, Ryan and Alfred joined them officially in the year 2000, they kept things simple by settling on “The Singletons,” the name carved on the trunk of a very extensive family tree.All raised in Lansing, Michigan—where they are still based today—in a closely knit family where literally everyone was either vocally or instrumentally gifted, and church was integral to day-to-day life, the Singletons were steeped in an environment of musical diversity built on a solid spiritual foundation. With an age range from mid-20s to late-30s, the Singletons keep each other widely versed in genres that run the gamut from traditional Gospel, cool retro-soul and easy jazz, to modern R&B, urban and hip-hop. And as only a big, happy family could do, they make it all work—seamlessly and distinctively—with a sound that is as familiar and friendly as it is fresh, surprising, and entirely their own.With each of the Singletons gifted as both a soloist or ensemble singer, and all moving into and out of that role—often within the same song—the variety of sounds, textures and grooves in their repertoire is almost staggering. Yet on Better Than That, with the master production skills of Gospel great Fred Hammond at the helm, it all flows together like a mountain stream; from smooth and deep (“Nobody Like Him”) to driving as whitewater thundering over hard-edged rock (“Dance In The Spirit”).The album’s title song, “Better Than That,” is an irresistibly hooky, modern Gospel/R&B gem, punctuated by a too-cool horn section, and several Singletons alternating lead lines—often spine-tingly improvised—playing off an absolutely airtight, rock-steady wall of group vocals.The Singletons are quick to emphasize that strong, and readily accessible, singable melodies are key in everything they do, and “Created To Worship Him,” with a contemporary R&B jam laid over a funky, 70s-soul guitar riff is just one of many cases in point. “You’re Welcome Here,” opens with a gentle, enticing piano figure, before exploding into a flat-out, back-beat driven rocker, with edgy, distorted electric rock guitars adding even more muscle. Put the Singletons’ reverential, angelic vocals over that and you have the definition of pure praise and worship, redesigned and custom-fitted to the 21st century.With a pleasant surprise, “Give Him Praise” is an up-tempo, funky groove which features world renowned recording artist Kirk Franklin. His presence on the track adds a smooth and powerful feel along with vocals from Tia Robertson and Camilla Singleton-Dodd.“Worthy To Be Praised,” is a profound ballad of anthemic proportions, with the Singletons delivering a vocal performance that is nothing short of stunning, while “Savior, Lord and King” closes the album with a perfect coda of meditative, quiet-fire jazz/R&B.

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