Lashun Pace, the most visible of the Anointed Pace Sisters, bares heart and soul on her seventh solo release, "Complete." Straight up diva delight.
Lashun Pace brings her traditional Gospel chops to ten fresh, soulful tracks, nine of which she penned herself. She moves confidently from old-school style (the hard-driving high-energy opener “All Things Working”) to bouncy testimony (tearing it up on “Love Lifted Me”), from pointed teaching (the nuanced vocals and rolling keys of “The Blood Completes It All”) to free-flowing worship (quiet sizzler “Hail Mary”). Her poise never falters, and with good reason: Lashun knows her stuff. These songs have been birthed in the trenches of her own life, and she doesn’t hold back from sharing the details. From the sorrows of her love life to the passing of her daughter Xenia, “Xenia’s Flight” lays bare her soul, and you know she’s lived it as well as sung about it. Yes, Pace is a Stellar Award winner, but she’s also a mom and a woman. When her fiery vocals encourage you to “trust in the Lord” through it all, her warm authenticity enables you to receive it. “Close to You,” covering personal health issues, is equally intimate and inspiring.
The standout song has to be the fresh title track. The warm soulful groove has the slightest swing feel to it, and Pace’s dynamic vocals positively fly over the simmering organ, testifying to the Biblical truth of our completion in Christ. Absolutely irresistible. And it’s the same with the uplifting closer, “Thank You.” Lots of ardent back and forth between Pace and the Wings of Faith Choir, and she pours herself into this sizzling worship track like it’s the last time, moving from full out Sunday morning fervency into quiet, sweeter adoration, before turning up to full fire as the almost 9-minute track finally closes out. If you’re not encouraged and uplifted by then, you might want to check for a pulse.
“Complete” was recorded live at Wings of Faith Ministries, and its one worship party you don’t want to miss. Not if you enjoy your gospel music dynamic and deep.
